2009 Nationals Preview Part 2: The North

Short one today...


SULTRY
Home town: Brisbane
Captain: Tamara Davis
Qualified: From North
Last year: 10th

This year marks 10 years since anyone outside New South Wales and New Zealand won Nationals. That team was from Queensland, but sadly I don't think the 2009 incarnation of a Queensland women's team is able to replicate that feat. Sultry's best Nationals performance was 6th last time Nationals was in the west, and they have been perennial mid-table finishers since. However they are taking a strong team to what is a weaker field than the last couple of years. While they should certainly be in the quarter finals, I think that will be the end of the line for them.

Key player: Maylin Chuah
Has the pace and the smarts to effectively match up on key opposition players.

Keep an eye on : Tatiana Maya
Handler who plays an aggressive, attacking style, looking to gain ground on every cut and throw.



FIRESTORM
Home town: Brisbane
Captain: John McNaughton
Qualified: From North
Last year: 9th

Firestorm has always been a bit of a mystery to me. They certainly have the talent to factor amongst the top end of placings, but have never done better than 8th. In fact, the last Queensland team to be in the semis was Moreton Bay Buggers back in 2003. Last year they went the X/X split route for development and hopefully that move can pay off for them this year. There are no notable exclusions from the team, and provided Mike Neild and Johnny Mac can fire, there's no reason they couldn't potentially make semis. However I don't think they will this year. Sorry boys.

Key player: Mike Neild
The Space Needle somehow made it through the Dingos campaign without a major injury, so provided he can stay fit he'll be a dominant target for Buzz and Johnny.

Keep an eye on: Liam Gillions
"Who the fuck is that?" I hear you say. He's better known as Wetnose. Very handy defender, and will no doubt be wearing some stupid outfit (if anything at all) at the party.


Tomorrow we'll look at the East region.