BUML Season 20 Grand Finals Preview

Some pestering from the masses has seen us pull out the giant gold key, and reenter the stately (and toasty warm ... ahhh) Brisbane Ultimate Blog mansion to provide a preview of tonight's BUML Grand Finals.  Perhaps the masses just want something to comment on, in which case, go for it, lines are open.

Anyway, its been the BEST SEASON EVER for BUML.  Seriously, it has - its the biggest ever, there's been very little rain, teams have been well coordinated, games have been close, and the League Directors have all their hair (or at least, pretty much the same amount as at the start of the season). 

But tonight it comes to an end.  Some of us are gutted that there's no live internet telecast of the games (we blame tech-guru DanB and AndyL's assumptions that they'd actually be in the games) but we'll have the bottle ready to toast some champagne Ultimate anyway.  Who will add their names to the mighty roll of honour?  Let's check out the games and of course book your seats at Easts Leagues now.


DIVISION 3 - Griffith Go-Go's vs Mellow Yellow

The unrated Division 3 has certainly thrown up a lot of excitement this season, as teams that have in the past been relegated to 'newbies and/or pissheads and/or cheap meat' status have had something to really fight for in the inaugural Division 3 title.  It certainly showed in the Semi Finals, both of which were decided by one point.  Props to both the Ultimate Apostles and the Griffith Oh Yeahs for very nearly making it.

Griffith are now in their fifth season and have certainly grown in quality as well as quantity, winning a lot of games.  But in the back of their minds will be that early season draw against Mellow Yellow, and all those times Mellow Yellow beat them in 2010 and 2011.  But maybe, just maybe, those scars have calloused over and the Go-Go's will have the mental toughness to take the win tonight and put a medal into the mail to postcode 2600 tomorrow morning.

Mellow Yellow ... well, what can be said about this Oliver Reed of an Ultimate team that hasn't been said before?  Now in their amazing 16th season and with a much loved BUML12 trophy in the pool room ... and they smile the whole game!  Seriously, watch them any time, they'll be grinning.    That's the confidence they'll have as they march proudly onto the field tonight. 

The question will be whether the slightly aging but well experienced Yellow bones can handle the youthful exhuberance of the Red blooded Griffith Go-Go's.  Very hard to tip, and I think the bookies are only taking bets on whether or not the winning point will come from a hammer or not.  Expect entertainment.

What should be fun though is the Spirit you can expect to see in this game ... something all them hotly competitive folk at Worlds could take note of.  Between them, Griffith and Mellow Yellow have won 8 of the last 18 BUML Spirit Prizes.

DIVISION 2 - Bermuda Triangle vs What the Huck?

This one is straight out of the text-book.  The two teams who were clearly the best in the Division have smashed their way through their Semi Final opponents and into the Final. 

Bermuda Triangle go into this match undefeated and all smiles this season, after a very tough 2011 when they soldiered hard and grimaced firmly at the bottom of the Division 1 table.  Last week they cleaned up a determined Discheads 13-8, in a display that showed off their offensive power.  Bermuda are on of the oldest teams in the Monday night competition, with this their 17th season, and having not featured in a League Final since their three losses back in 2006-7, will they finally take a title?  All we know is that key play Geoff will be completely fanging for disc.

What the Huck? meanwhile easily took care of the slightly disappointing Tsunami last week 15-4, and have only had two defeated this season, going down to Bermuda 13-7 in March and 13-8 in May.  The Huckers first appeared in their current form back at the start of 2011, but can trace their lineage and winning ways back to the former Kelvin Grove Cougars, who took three consecutive Division 2 titles in 2009-10.  The big question tonight will be whether they can contain their desire for speed-speed-speed and avoid the unforced errors the Triangle have been able to put on them in the past.

This game will be titanic.  Bermuda go in as the deserved favourites, but how will they carry the weight of expectation?  What the Huck seem to have the wood over the rest of the competition, but they haven't yet given the Triangles a hard run.  Who's cuisine will reign supreme?  Internet bookies www.andrewmansaucehouse.com.au are offering $1.20 on Bermuda to win, and $2.80 on What the Huck.

DIVISION 1 - UQ Lovers vs Drop Bears

The fat one - the El Gordo of Brisbane Ultimate 2012.  Forget your BPL, forget your Halibut, forget your Mayan apocalypse scenario.  This may well be the flying disc battle of the year for this city.

What's exciting here is that while Division 1 finals of reason seasons have sadly been dull, one sided affairs, this game includes Dusty, the most exciting player in sports Ultimate entertainment ... er ... I mean, this game is going to be both loose and close.  It'll be close in that these teams have matched up tightly this season, and loose in that ... well, up until last week they both looked like middle-of-the-table teams. 

Some folks with an eye for history will be betting against newish team the Drop Bears (despite the age of some of the connections within the team).  They didn't even have a proper name at the start of the season, after all.  Then they only won six games during the season, losing to UQ 9-11 back in April, but then rolling them easily 17-7 in more recent times.  Indeed, that was the start of the Bears 'hayne-train', only losing one game (and that by a single point) since then).  So the Drop Bears are in the final because they have some massive momentum, and defeating the much fancied but ultimately challenged Dyspnoeics last week 13-10 (not sure what happened there, but I'm sure we'll get an explanation in the commments). 

Given their age and reputation as one of the 'name' clubs in Brisbane, a lot of punters will be jumping on the Loving bandwagon.  But remember that UQ have not won a BUML since 2008 or a BPL since about then (sorry, can't be arsed firing up the records machine).  Sure they seem to do ok in Division 2 at Uni Games ... but there will be big questions asked and answered tonight.  Internet bookies www.andrewmansaucehouse.com.au seem to have suspended betting on this match, while players on both teams face allegations of fantastic drug use over the weekend.


Looking Ahead

And for those looking ahead to next season of BUML and wanting to comment in the comments ... when last we heard fixtures were due to commence on Monday 6 August (with a few weeks of learn to play and pickup beforehand) so mark your calendar and keep an eye on the buml.quda.org website and Facebook.  Colmslie will be added as a new venue to further the growth of the competition, and the League Organising Committee as always are looking for more helpers.

Gossip will also be turning towards the makeup of Divisions next season.  Its a perennial toughie for the organisers.  It seems the winner of Division 3 will be ready to move up into Division 2, to make room for new teams in Division 3, but then the Ghost Who Walks will certainly be seeking to drop into Division 2.  So whether Griffith or Mellow get to make the jump will probably come down to the level of interest in new teams entering Division 3 ... maybe if 24 teams are in the mix then BUMLOC will try for four divisions of six.  We shall see.  After three seasons now, the jump from Division 2 to Division 1 still seems to remain very large - Bermuda still bares the scars from last year and won't be keen to go back.  Perhaps the only way is for BUMLOC to apply some roster restrictions on the other five Division 1 teams, so see if a competitive sixth team can be formed?  On the other hand, someone's got to come at the bottom of the table ...

Anyway, that's it from us here on the BUML Show at the stately Brisbane Ultimate Blog mansion.  Tune in next season if someone feels like doing it.

The Most Mellow of the Yellows

Time gets away from us, even the immortal denizens of the stately Brisbane Ultimate Blog mansion.

But we must pause in this most busy of existences to ponder and wonder at the general awesomeness of Eireann Gilligan and Jon Good, who tonight play their last game in the yellow colours for probably the most popular team in Brisbane, the Mellow Yellow.

In case you missed it, Eireann and Jon depart Brisbane 'forever'* in just over a week or so (both will get a final game in at WUFL and BPL respectively I think).

Jon and Eireann have played many seasons and tournaments for Mellow Yellow, a team they helped found way back in 2006 (I think). They have contributed in many other ways to Brisbane Ultimate too - Eireann also known for her enthusiasm on the Women's scene, and Jon for Directing the Brisbane Premier League for several seasons (along with drinking copious amounts of alcohol and gossiping madly at any opportunity).

But I think it will be for the love that they have shared with all of us through their membership of Mellow Yellow that they will be best remembered. The Yellows are regular winners of the BUML Spirit Prize, and routinely feature in finals series. More importantly, brand Mellow is one of sheer Ultimate JOY and has been for many years and is likely to be for many years to come.

We in the stately Brisbane Ultimate Blog mansion have always looked forward to a game against Mellow Yellow, and have never been disappointed.

A lot more could be written! I am sorry time is so short.

So get on down to the BUML Finals tonight and GO MELLOW YELLOW (sorry Cougars - there always has to be a sentimental favourite!).

*by forever, we mean we're sure they'll be back for a visit. But they're like moving overseas or something.

Happy Birthday Fluxie!

Yes, 18 May is the birthday of that stalwart of the Mellow Yellow and Moreton Bay Bugger teams, Ryan 'Fluxie' Flux.

Monday Night - BUML Winter Season Wrapup

Mansauce asked for a bit of coverage of the recent Monday night Mixed League Final.

Alas, our efforts to find someone to blog on BUML has alas come to nought. Any new volunteers?

Fortunately the ongoingly-awesome Notty Nott has posted a season summary via email, which we reproduce here.

Season 2 wrap up:

Thanks to all the spectators that helped make our finals a success. The fund raising BBQ added to the festivities: thanks to the members of Delirium who ran it.

Thanks to all my helpers for the season:
All Captains
Chris Fox -player co-ordinator
Adilia - fields, payments, and reminder
JDR - fields and admin. Esp getting field maintenance sorted.
everyone who did anything to help

DIV1: Congrats to Dyspnoeics winning DIV1 final after a massive comeback in the last 10minutes. Backing up their DIV2 win of last season. Plastic Scourgery shook off their injury prone season to play solidly and should by congratulated for being in every DIV1 final so far.

DIV2: Congrats to Kevin Grove for dominating the final against Baby Chimis.

Final ladder:
DIV1:
Dyspnoeics
Plastic Scougery
Wushi Finger
Hold/Chimis
QUTies
Mellow Yellow

DIV2:
1st Kelvin Grove Cougars
2nd Baby Chimis
3rd ExQuisite and Mellow Yellow
5th Fresh fries
6th Dyspnoeics
7th Bermuda
8th QUTies
9/10th Poachers and Heros (Tied game)
11th Pandemic (The Grefs)
12th Agent Orange

Spirit:
Mellow Yellow took out both divisions, keeping up their tradition of winning spirit. But it was hotly contested by Wushi then Dyspnoeics in DIV1 and Poachers and Bermuda (if they had finished score sheets) in DIV2.

MVP: (still have your prize for most of you -so collect it off me)
DIV1:
Male MVP - Jangles aka Adam Beu from QUTies
Female MVP - Jess from Dyspnoeics
Almost took out MVP: Notty (Dyspnoeics) , Blair (Wushi), James larkin(Dysp) , Buzz (chimis).

DIV2:
Male MVP: Ben Hutchinson from QUTies
Female MVP: Sofie from Fresh Fries
Almost took out MVP: Sam Bird(QUTies) , Notty (poachers), Leticia(Dyspnoeics) , Clare P (ExQuisiTe), travis(dysp) , roger (poachers), Reece (fresh fries), Mike Nolan, Kev (ExQuisiTe), George Salisbury, alex(fresh fries).

See you next season

WUFL Draw for 2 June

If you don't like these logos, send us in some replacements!

Battle for the Black Nacho

Brisbane sees the clash of the sirens when the Titanium Nachos take on Mellow Black for the Tuesday night Tiara that is the Grand Final of WUFL-1 2009.

Favourites (Ulti-TAB is offering $1.45 for the win) Titanium Nachos are in their second successive WUFL Final, after having battled Melange in pursuit of the title back in September 2008. Led by Maylin ‘the Unstoppable’ Chuah. Rolling the highly fancied UQ Lovers in their semi-final seems to have set the scene for some final dominance. Fans of the team are known for yelling “Melt the Cheese!”, “Guacamole, in your Holie!” and “Let’s Give them the Full Enchilada”, completely missing that the team was named after Bolivian football player, Ronald Lazaro ‘The Titanium Man’ Nacho.

For Mellow Black, keep an eye out for rising star Jess Harvey and the dazzling speed of Carla ‘Deadly Beer Widow’ Ziser. And any team featuring Eireann Gilligan, Jenny Beard and Stephanie Levasseur should not be underestimated! Frankly, I can’t see why this gang aren’t the favourites to take the title, but their last gasp win over a depleted Everready in last week’s semi seems to have been noticed by the bookies (Ulti-TAB offering $2.60 for the win). Remember, “once you’ve had black, you’ll never go back.”

There’s possibly something to be said that the Titanium Nachos and Mellow Black appear to be closely related to Monday night mixed teams the Chimichangas and Mellow Yellow, but this will depend on how many of those teams show up to support their comrades in action, and whether Al and Stu, or Rob and Jon, bring the pompoms.

What: Women’s League Final
When: Tuesday April 7th - 7:15pm
Where: Oakman Park, Toowong
Features: Free BBQ and Drinks

BATTLE!

BUML 2009 - Season 1 Preview

Hi Everyone - Work Experience Will here. Yes yes, thank you all for your welcome. It’s great to be here, we’ll laugh cry and grow together. I’ve been titled “Work Experience Will” for the month until I finish filling out the workplace health and safety waivers, specifically the ones on feeding the Wetnose and bringing JdR bacardi and colas mixed just right.

BUML PREVIEW!

This is why I have opted to sleeping in the BUB pantry. I can keep an eye on my spare taco shells and I can throw down about the upcoming Monday night League that is causing a stir in me the most.

I have a dream, not about freedom from oppression and intolerance, but a dream to see the Brisbane mixed scene rival that of Sydney and its NSL league which hosts 50 teams! If you want to compare Brisbane we have about 19 teams here (combining BUML and UQL together). If there is an upside to this shortage of teams it’s that this preview will be much shorter….. :(

So, let’s start with Division 2 and run down the list (did anyone else notice the sudden disappearance of the KG Cougars only to be replaced by the Electric City?)

Mellow Yellow

Helmed once again by Jon 'Never' Good, these guys took the Div2 trophy last season. With extra 2 players added and all other players returning they don’t seem to be changing what works. If the Bermuda and Dyspnoeics don’t give them a hard time in the pool games then they could make the final again.

QUTies

Ahh the QUTies, how can I write about you and not feel some sentiment. You’re the Abbott to UQ’s Costello. (For those of you with generation impairments further viewing is prescribed: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=sShMA85pv8M ) But I shall show some self restraint and just do the preview. It’s really good to see the QUT club growing again after what I thought could have been the team’s final breaths when Jangles was leaving. Ms Bird has stepped up to run the second team and props to her! Every player in this team has 5 digit Afda’s so the players are relatively fresh. This is however judging a book by its cover I shall show patience and wait to see how the team does in round 1.

Poachers

I do NOT want to see this team dissolve. Dan Blacklock and company have put a lot into these guys since they started one year ago and I’m hoping the rest of the team is just being lazy signing up. The Poachers are a middle tier team at the moment but with the field levelled substantially this season I can’t call where they will end up. Quick history point for those interested. The creation of the Poachers kicked into motion the 2 tier system that BUML now uses.

Fresh Fries

"NOOOBS!" you may cry (I cry). BUT! Juniors do surprise you, especially as they get some game time under their belts. If anyone cares to remember Heads of State was big on the Juniors and they finished 5th at Coffs Harbour last year. Hey, at least Piers has a team of Juniors he can focus on up here, now if the Fresh Fries can only get some more junior girls. Placing? Upper-ish.

Tune in tomorrow for the 2nd half of the Div2 Preview.

Will- i –aM

BUML Roundup

Here's a fine cutting and pasting job with regards the conclusion of this season of Monday night league. Props to Notty for taking on the League Director role and applying so much gusto!

Last night saw the first DIV1/DIV2 BUML final attended by only a few
spectators, what had it made with ample room, a few eskies of free beer, and
plenty of entertainment. Does anyone know where the trophy is by the way??

Congratulations to Mellow Yellow for confidentially taking out DIV2. Can’t quite remember the score but I believe the margin was at least 5.

Congratulations also to Plastic Scougery, scraping up the win by 1 point in DIV1 for an undefeated season.

Spirit winners were UQ Playaz DIV1 and QUTies DIV2. UQ Playaz being aptly
represented got the choice of prizes and collected their bottle of Jager to enjoy later. QUTies need to collect their Vodka from me.

MVP was a close call as many people were selected. I hope to publish the full list when I get some time. The two winners receive a mini MAG light to keep their light burning. They are: Oliver from Poachers; and Jess from Dyspnoeics.

Next season I will be stricter on people submitting MVP and spirit score for every week. I let it go this season as it’s a short season and you haven’t had to do it before.

Changes to next league: So far two time slots, DIV2 first then DIV1. Possibly use of both Yeronga as well as Annerley. Talk of DIV1 being a structured hat but I will get you to vote on this soon. Oh and there will be some sort of trophy for both divisions. If you have any suggestions for improvements etc for the next league feel free to email me.

Notty

In Today's Curious Snail

Did you know that a famous Brisbane Ultimate Frisbee player can now add "and is a writer Courier-Mail" to his bio.

Check out page 19 of today's Courier Mail. No photo alas.

Next time of course, we want to see a metaphor about Spirit of the Game in there.

Pooped!

Lots to report, but I'm just pooped today (I would say buggered, but that means something else in Queensland Ultimate).

Underworld on Saturday was pretty tiring (but fun).

AFDA Meeting on Sunday night went pretty late (but useful).

Then YUFL kicked off again last night. We had a great game against our old favourites, the Mellow Yellows, but alas we only had one sub. So it was a long hard run (plus thankfully a couple of drinks afterwards).