Attitude Reflects Leadership: Grand Final and Finals Week 4 Preview!

Welcome to the final of week of Ultimate for Semester 2, 2012!  By the end of Wednesday night, we will know the team that can claim bragging rights as Champions and of course all the other positions as well.  Our Grand Final sees two surprising contenders, but I’ll come back to that.  First we’ll preview the other 3 games happening Wednesday night.

Wooden Spoon: Mite-y Discs vs The Highlanders

Let’s be honest, no one really wants to win the wooden spoon.  I really wouldn’t even call it ‘winning’ anything…but one of these two teams will have the honour of taking home this coveted prize.  Both teams were Top 4 contenders coming in to the finals, but have had a tough finals series.  Interesting strategy last week from the Mite-y’s, giving themselves a bye week to better prepare for this game.  Mite-y Discs strength is their speed and familiarity with each others games.  Look for Captain Mattie Hamilton to fight until the end to avoid with his ridiculously low centre of gravity.  For the Highlanders and their superior height, it’ll be about exposing the Mite-y’s in the aerial contest.  Professional holidayer Rob Davies needs to get his hands on the disc more in attack. This will be a fun game I’m sure, with lots of turnovers, plenty of throw-aways in a deserving wooden spoon battle.

Prediction: Honestly I’ve picked Highlanders enough times and they’ve lost every single one, so I’m picking the Mite-y Discs because I like Mattie better.  Let’s say, 13-11.  

5^th and 6^th: Gold Diggers vs More Smarter Than You

Last week’s games saw MSTY take out the Highlanders in an epic contest, while the Gold Diggers spent a couple of hours playing with their own discs.  The question here is which one of these preparations will prove to be the best?  Rob Dehollander is an expert 5^th vs 6^th captain, leading his team to 5^th last semester (surprisingly enough beating a team in yellow).  MSTY showed last week that even without Zane they still have the offensive and defensive skills to take down the best teams.  While still being a fun contest, I think this will be an extremely competitive game.  To be honest I don’t know which way it will go, but the winners of mini-battles between Chris Palazzi vs Kramer and Stretch Armstrong vs Your Heiness (Johannes) will go a long way to deciding the outcome.

Prediction: Battle of the girls here is the big decider, with MSTY having arguably the best female group of the league. But I think the Gold Diggers girls will step up, led by bartender extroardinnaire Ashleigh Gibson, to take the win 13-10.

3^rd and 4^th: Black Magic vs The Amazing Technicolour Dream Discs

I think someone got the numbers wrong, because we find the teams that finished 1^st and 2^nd battling it out for 3^rd and 4^th?  Both teams are coming off heatbreaking losses in the semi finals and will look to rebound in the best way possible; a victory.  Last time these teams met Black Magic got the better of the Dream Discs, switching their defence until the Dream Discs just could not break through.  However the Dream Discs showed they can put in a good fight without their #1 handler.  The return of the Finn’s here makes this an even more exciting match.  Both of these teams move the disc around quickly and have some great aerial talents.  Should be a great game to watch!

Prediction: Black Magic to be too strong, as Gibbo (with or without shoes) helps seal the victory 13-9.

Townsville Ultimate Frisbee Semester 2, 2012: GRAND FINAL

In potentially the most surprising grand final matches I’ve seen in my time, the 6^th placed Green Goblins take on the last placed 100 Shades of Grey for the championship.  In a game that shows finding form at the right end of the semester is what this game is all about, these teams have essentially come from nowhere.  The Goblins have been on somewhat of a run coming into these finals, taking down any team that has stood in their way with consumate ease.  100 Shades however, let’s be honest, weren’t great all season.  They only had the one victory during the regular season, yet have managed to rattle off 3 in a row to make the decider! 

For the Green Goblins, the key is the guy they call Mike.  He’s a perennial finalist and champion, so he knows how to get it done.  Captains Ryan and Liss have done a great job bringing the team together, with some excellent comradery seen throughout the group.  But it takes more than friendship to win the title.  The Goblins need to be at their best in every aspect, and these two captains need to lead from the front with their play and their attitude.

100 Shades of Grey, the surprise packet, are pretty strong all over the park.  Decent handlers, great receivers, excellent girls and a genuine want to win for each other.  This team knows what it feels like to lose and through some great teamwork and quality play have been able to perform at their absolute best for each other.  This same attitude will need to be present here as the 1% plays are what make all the difference in big games.  They’ve got to want it, not just individually, but for their team. 

Prediction: I really don’t like predicting my own games, but I’ll leave it to everyone out there to decide who you think will win Wednesday’s grand final.  I’ve been to a final once before and lost…..I don’t want it to happen again.

See you all on Wednesday!