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!        

Arrive first and leave last...Finals Week 2 Review!

Firstly I’d just like to throw it out there and say that my predictions couldn’t have been any more wrong.  But I don’t think many predicted the one sided outcomes of this week. 

First big news is that Black Magic suffered their first loss of the season!  The Gold Diggers took it to the Magic, with some great throws from Stretch Armstrong Dehollander and a couple of sweet grabs from Stoffels.  The turning point(s) in the game was every time that the Magic opted to throw to their star receiver James Queef, who just couldn’t seem to get the hands going.  I’m told of the 100+ throws (possible exaggeration) that went to Weise, he only managed to get his hands on one…..and still dropped it.  Well played from the Gold Diggers, who despite being only able to go for the minor placings now managed a spirited effort overall!

I’m also told that Finny, perennial throw-away-erer for the The Amazing Technicolour Dream Discs sat out the games this week to better prepare his team for next week.  For those of you following at home, Finny is away next Wednesday…..interesting strategy there everyone, we’ll see if it pays off.  With Sean ‘Bevington’ Beveridge sure to fill in as the primary handler, was good to see him make some excellent decisions.  Not sure what the scores were, but I’m sure fun was the real winner.

Now on to the elimination finals!  Game 1 saw the The Highlanders take on the Green Goblins and Game 2 saw Mite-y Discs vs 100 Shades of Grey.

Game 1: The Highlanders vs Green Goblins

With some mixed fortunes last week, this game was sure to be a close contest and in some ways it provided this.  The Goblins exploded out of the gates, taking a commanding early lead and the half 7-2.  As ever, the Goblins had a well constructed offensive line and gave nothing to the Highlanders early.  After half time, the complexion of this game changed completely with the Highlanders producing a strong comeback to bring the game to 9-6 at one point.  I warned the Goblins that Cade would be a force on offence, and his quick give and go offence proved to be the spark the Highlanders needed.  With some quick girls and the two Robs causing problems, this is how they should have attacked from the start.  However, execution let the Highlanders down at some points, with the disc going to ground near the endzone too many times.  The Goblins through defensive confidence and some great throws managed to pull ahead once again.  It seems the Goblins structure was just too much for the Highlanders to contain.  Special mention for the Goblins goes to Matt McIntosh who scored about 100 and Leo BUD for being a great guy.  Special mention also goes to Liss, for once again getting injured.  

Final Score: Green Goblins keep up their good form and bring the Highlanders down, 13-9.

Game 2: Mite-y Discs vs 100 Shades of Grey

I’ve been wrong plenty of times…..not that I ever like to admit it.  But this game I honestly didn’t expect what happened at all.  With the Mite-y Discs looking to bounce back after a pretty heavy defeat last week and the welcome return of Dr Pete, the last-placed 100 Shades of Grey had their work cut out.  The Shades won the flip and took the pull, and to be honest never really looked back.  Mite-y Discs started well, with Mattie Hamilton working some great combinations with his handlers.  Unfortunately, tonight just wasn’t the night of the Mite-y’s. 100 Shades lead by their 8 foot Captain Duncan controlled the disc, set up a great defensive structure and executed most of their plays.  I predicted that the 1% plays would be the difference here, and they were.  100 Shades just wanted it that little bit more, and stuck to their plans very well.  Special mention for the Shades goes to Lena for taking an amazing catch to score and Rob Luke for being a dominant force in the end zone.  100 Shades played probably their most complete game of the season, with a great whole team performance.  Shout out to Scott Hamilton for being the better looking of the Hamilton brothers.  

Final Score: With the hammer out in force, 100 Shades of Grey took the victory 13-3.

With semi-finals next week, make sure you’re down supporting your favourite team that wears a grey shirt!  Also, there will be games next week for every team as the battle for the wooden spoon still rages on.  Until next week, I’ll leave you with a quote that I apparently said a couple of years ago…

“The best Ultimate player is not the fastest, fittest, strongest nor tallest. The best ultimate players are the ones who are the smartest. The player with the best strategies, mental attitude, motivation, awareness and overall knowledge of the game, are the ones who make it the furthest. For ultimate is all about being in the right place at the right time, so practice your throws and catches, but always be aware of the mental side of the game. Like in all games, the most successful players are the ones who arrive first, and leave last.”

So if you get there early and leave late you’re sure to win! Villain out.

Everyone loves a spectacle...Finals Week 2 Preview!

Well given the blog enjoyed a triumphant return to form last week and I love procrastination, here are the predictions for Week 2 of the finals!  With some teams enjoying the bye and others wallowing in the disappointment of being knocked out, look for some crazy ultimate happening in the scratch matches.  The scratch matches may play a big part in this finals series, as injuries can happen and form can be lost with a poor performance.  So Black Magic and The Amazing Technicolour Dream Discs go out there and ‘break a leg’.

Seriously.  James David, break yours.  Makes everyone’s life in the finals easier.

Anyways, on to the games that will count the most, our two knockout finals!

Game 1: The Highlanders vs Green Goblins

This game sees a battle of last semester’s champions, with Captain Highlander Timmy Roland taking on former teammate and Captain Goblin Ryan Miller.  The Highlanders apparently are named so because they possess some deadly height on the field, with Cade Bradshaw the backbone of a solid offence.  With the safest hands in Ultimate Frisbee, look for Sanne to make some great cuts and ever better catches in the end zone.  In defence look for this height to create havoc as they zone you until you can’t get zoned no more!  Further threats are added by the two pronged Rob attack in Rob Edmond and Rob Davies, who run circles around most defences.

The Green Goblins, favourites only a few weeks ago, have stormed through to the second week of the finals.  Much of this is the result of the Mike Larson factor, however strong contributions all over the field have made this team a nightmare for any defence.  With Liss and Ryan providing great stability to the team, if the Goblins get going there aren’t many defences that can stop them.  With Mike at the back, the long throw becomes a difficult task for any opposition, but there are some opportunities to exploit the Goblins defence with short throws. 

This game will come down patience and execution.  For the Highlanders they have to resist always looking long and play short give and go Frisbee, keep the Goblins moving in defence and make no mistakes.  For the Goblins, it’ll be about shutting the Highlanders offence down and keeping Cade out of the game as much as possible.  A game for the spectators to enjoy, I think it will go down to the wire. 

Prediction: I said The Highlanders would bounce back this week and I think they will, with a 13-11 victory over the Goblins.

Game 2: Mite-y Discs vs 100 Shades of Grey

This should be interesting, very very interesting.  Two teams that have had polar opposite seasons to date, with the Mite-y’s smoothly sailing through most of the season and the Shades only recording one victory in the regular season.  But this is the finals and none of that matters, as we saw last week when the Mite-y’s went down heavily to Black Magic while the Shades had an upset victory of the Gold Diggers.  The Mite-y Discs have some solid offensive options, with the expected return of Dr. Pete further strengthening their game.  Look for Captain Mattie Hamilton to be everywhere, and catch some discs in the air that he has absolutely no right to catch.  They’ve been strong in defence through the season and a return to form this week will see that happening once again. 

100 Shades of Grey are a bit of an unknown quantity, you never really know what you’re going to get.  They’ve got height in Duncan Webley, speed and aerial threat in Bobby Jackson, handling prowess in Andy Craft the best girl cup you have ever seen!  Sometimes this clicks, sometimes it doesn’t.  But if 100 Shades want to go any further in the competition, then they will have to bring their absolute A game to take down the Mite-y’s.  Shades have slowly been getting their defence together in the last month, look for this to go up another notch and we’ll have ourselves one very close game. 

This game will come down to defence.  Both teams have strong offensive options and execution on offence is key, but the winners here will be the ones who make the 1% plays in defence.  The team that recovers quickly on transition, doesn’t get broken and defends to their strengths will be the victor.

Prediction: Universe Point.  Everyone loves a spectacle and I think this game will provide it!  The winners? Your guess is as good as mine; we’ll have to find out tomorrow night!

Play hard and good luck! Villain out.