Ok, Let's (Quickly) Talk Mixed Nationals 2010

[Editors Note - This mammoth post has gotten out of control and we're out of time to finish it properly. Apologies for this. But given the work that's gone into it, we'll leave aside our usual quality controls and post it anyway. Apologies again for those who don't get the attention they deserve]

So earlier this week, Nat and Tati and child and the QUDA trailer set off for Bethlehem we mean Bathurst for the promised land of Mixed Nationals 2010 (is that enough mixing of metaphors for you?), and thereby flagging the start of the exodus (dig that Bible as a cultural touchstone) that leave those of us who can't go missing out on League games at BPL and WUFL this Thursday, and BUML next Monday (although there'll be pickup available instead).

Anyway, enough gripes, let's check out the tournament and who we're sending.

Mixed Nats 2010 is being hosted once again by the fantastically well organised Hills Ultimate Club, based out of Western Sydney. They're holding the event in Bathurst because its practically impossible to find a suitable venue in overcrowded Sydney. In contrast, regional centres have the space and moreso are exceptionally welcoming to the idea of a bunch of nice frisbee players coming to spend thousands of dollars locally.

Apparently there's been some whining about going to Bathurst, but the BUB totally supports the venue, and reminds the whiners that nobody is forcing them to go.

Anyway, Mixed Nats is a three day tournament, this year featuring 26 teams. The draw is over here and essentially starts with four pools through the first day and a half. After that the top team in each of the four pools go direct to quarterfinals. The teams that came second and third in each pool cross over to battle for the remaining quarterfinal places. And those eight teams battle it out from there. There's a similar structure for the bottom half of the draw.

Queensland is sending four teams to battle for Mixed supremacy over 20 or so other teams from around the joint, which includes NZ this year.

John Doe - "Eeeeere we go!"
John Doe is the top ranked South Queensland team, and goes to the tournament seeded 11th overall and into Pool D. The Does have prepared with a heavy training schedule, and championships from the Queensland Qualifier and Halibut under their belts. Under their belts is also where they keep those loud loud shorts that Maylin's teams keep coming up with.

Day one should start relatively smoothly against Mr Burns' Casino who came eighth in the NSW Championships, despite a solid build-up via Halibut. But things will toughen up real quick and spotters will be making their predictions on John Does' final resting place when they face NSW number two's Jericho Turnpick Bandits and Canberra's best in Team Happy . A hard hard first day is then finished with a fourth game, this one against Tasmania's finest LOG! The Musical(featuring Huddy) who are seeded 14th based largely on their effort at Mixed Nats 2009, and which may well determine who goes through to the pre-quaters and who doesn't.

If exhaustion allows them, the team will party hard that night, before returning to face The Incredibles (SA's third ranked team, seeded 19th) then finishing up Pool D against locals the Bathurst Bulls (26)

Sugar - seeded 16th Pool B
Joyfully start the tournament on Friday morning with a game against top seed 1980 (the gag is all the players on the team were born in 1980) as a warmup. Dusty doesn't get out of bed to piss for this kind of stuff, but hopefully they'll still score a few points thanks to Paul. Sugar then sweeten up against eighth seed Friskee (NSW3) and Megapussi from the North Island of the Eastern Territories (aka NZ). Sadly, I think we can suspect that the NZ teams are all seeded very low. Day 2 should be a bit easier but more vital in terms of the eventual placing in the tournament, against South Australia's Ultimate Evolution then the big battle against Bender.

UQ Ultimate Lovers - seeded 18th Pool C
It all depends on Nathan's clutch. The pool is also smaller giving less margin for error. Day 1 against seventh seed Funny Duck (Vic 2), half of Newcastle Pie, Canberra B aka SOMA. Day 2 is against second seed and top Victorian team Moredisco, and Warpath.

Townsvillains - seeded 20th (top seed from North Queensland) Pool E

Their first two games are really must win, against middle to low range NSW teams the Mix Masters, Wagon and Special Cause, before finishing Friday against Hills who will be tired but still very deep and strong and probably whip some exhausted Villains we're afraid.

Day 2 is against an underseeded Blacksheep of NZ, and then it'll be time to get out the Gargamel outfits for the game again the best of South Australia in Smurf.


BEST OF LUCK QUEENSLAND, and make sure you have fun and mix it up if you can.

Special kudos also to the Hills Ultimate Club, who are now pretty much the default organising committee for any major tournament you'd care to think of.

Party Theme is Golden. I shudder to think the number of folks who're going to turn up in shower curtains.