Mixed Nats Fireside Chat - with Big Hugh!

Editor's note - so in running short of time this week, we've neglected to post this interview! Obviously the Townsville Ultimate Blog is too focused on its upcoming League Finals to provide adequate coverage to the TownsVillains assault on the senses of the people of Bathurst. Anyway, here we go again.

Brisbane Ultimate Blog: Hi Hugh - thanks for coming in to talk about the TownsVillain's trip to Bathurst. How does the team think it will go?

Hugh: The team can field a relatively strong line and is the best team Townsville's produced for a Mixed Tournament with enough depth for a few really good lines, but still some new legs out there. For two of the players this will be their first ever tournament. Sadly we've lost the ever reliable Matt DeWitt only a week out as he's one of the best handlers Townsville's produced and we wish him well with his health.

BUB: How do you think the other Queensland teams will go?

Hugh: I've only had a cursory glance at the other 3 Queensland teams and I think I saw their results from Regional Qualification. I think John Doe will finish in the top 8 but the others don't look quite as strong. I think the Villains will be a better team than the other two Queensland teams just based on how we went against John Doe at Halibut, it was a pretty close result. However, their preparation and team structure will have improved dramatically since then.

BUB: Looking at the draw, who do you expect to beat?

Hugh: Our pool has recently been bumped up to 7 teams with the same number of top qualify places to go around so competition in the pool will be even more fierce. With challenging but potentially beatable teams at the start of both our pool days, these middle ranked teams will really decide how we finish the tournament. If we come out strong at the start of the day we could earn ourselves a higher spot.

We're hoping for a top 12 finish, and it would be a dream to finish in the top ten but realistically I think we'll be fighting hard in the 12 -16 bracket. Still a noble result if we get it. I think the new unknown challenges for our team will come from how we start the day, the larger pool and the loss of just one experienced player from the team.

BUB: Bathurst is slightly out of the way - is anyone on the team got any unusual travel plans?

Hugh: Bathurst has been a pain in the arse for those from Townsville to get to - its funny seeing people from frickin' Sydney or Melbourne whine! For us it's already difficult enough to get a team to afford the flights. University for most of the team is heating up so SADLY this doesn't leave anyone with any time or motivation to go on a exciting historical gold mine tour of the region or learn about the history of car racing. But still, we're sure Bathurst is going to be well worth getting too.

BUB: Let's talk party. Do your own thing, or team costume for the party?

Hugh: Party theme was announced only recently. We'll try and come up with a theme, but already having trouble thinking outside the box. Hopefully we get to sift for gold on the first morning with the late start and maybe that'll bring some inspiration.

BUB: Are your handlers, receivers, or defenders going to win games for you?

Hugh: One of the American pick-ups we've received this semester has been Shelby, he's gonna probably be used as a handler though would usually play mid or deep. At Halibut his gun flick against most zone defences either broke through them or sent rocket hucks to our speedsters who only had to outpace the deeps long. It'll be pretty hard to beat.

Deanna Finn is a newby and youngin' but is already understanding the immediacy of cutting and has good timing on her cuts both deep and long, with her speed it might see her wrack up a few points.

Obviously we've got the likes of Mike Larson who'll be doing much of the captaining of the team on the field, lots of insight into the other teams strengths/weaknesses will see some creativeness on D and O and will be interesting to have. Intense focus on shared goals from the whole team will be our real driving force and is what'll win the tight games for us.

BUB: Anyone carrying any injuries?

Hugh: Shelby recently rolled an ankle. Mike's feet are a bit fucked up. Sarah's done something to her knee. Chris did an ankle too. Hopefully we'll be right come Friday and we'll rest up when we get the chance. Then we'll battle the sore dancing feet and hangovers on Saturday and Sunday.

BUB: How much preparation has the team done?

Hugh: Team preparation has mostly involved improving fitness through playing hard points and using limited to no subs in the three local Ultimate Frisbee nights in the week as well as personal preparation.

The Townsville Royalty Hat was timed to coincide with preparation for the tournament and gave all our players a good run in the heat with almost no subs in general but even less for Mixed Nats players. It was placed two weeks out to give everyone time to recover.

As far as team tactics, a lot of clashing events took the wind out of the sails in the later part of preparation to implement anything too new but we'll play our game and we'll do it well.

BUB: Do Halibut or Lovefest results count for much?

Hugh: The Halibut result is encouraging. It was a slightly different team from what we have now but the core was similar.

BUB: Who do you like to play against more - ACT teams or SA teams?

Hugh: Don't really know. I think ACT would be nicer just because their top team we won't beat but we'd stand a chance at any lower than that just going off 2008 Mixed Nats results. I don't know much about SA teams but they look to have more depth, we're facing their number 1 seed as the top of our pool so we'll find out soon enough, no point intimidating ourselves beforehand.

BUB: Thanks Hugh - best of luck then!

Hugh: Can I just say, "Hi Simon!" And "Let's f$%king do it Townsville!"