Impressions of a BPL Final

So out usual BPL correspondent Wetnose was busy on Thursday night and asked me to sit down and write some impressions of the BPL Final. And as usual my hair was on fire for most of Friday and Saturday, and here I am now. Writing match reports is very challenging for me because I live in the moment and hence the memory can be short-lived (either that or alzheimers is setting in). And of course things can be tested by the extensive video that's like to be posted soon to the Dojo blog.

Anyway, enough preamble. First, let me take a lead from another sensible blogger, and say that Stu Austin has once again done a great job in running the Brisbane Premier League (with the support of team Captains Nathan Litzow, Stefan Rappazzo, Mike Neild, Stephen Cameron, Gref, Goranson, Daniel Stelan and of course Liam Gillions). We are extremely lucky to have him and them doing all the work for us. You're the tops Stu! Stu even packed up the portafield after the Final. What a guy!

It was also great to see Trevor and Matt B firing up the BBQ and hovering over an esky of cold ones, as well as a sizable crowd (although perhaps not the size of what is usually pulled when the Buggers make the Final!).

On the field this BPL Final was a match for spectators who like it tight. The disc flew well on a beautiful evening, although there were plenty of turns to keep it interesting. The turns seemed mostly to be the result of poorly directed passes ... although Julz for the Passion and Finn for the Cobras worked hard to get themselves in the right places (Finn's theme song would surely be the Jaws theme).

Mostly the teams were trading and turning with nobody getting more than a couple of points ahead at any one time. Passion took half 8-7.

Things got interesting once the game was tied up at 10-10. Passion scored to make it 11-10 and seems to be feeling pretty good about things. But oh how quickly that can change, with the Cobras scoring twice to lead 12-11 and then LD Stu confirming time cap and game to 14. The snakes got a turn and scored again to make it 13-11 with three chances to win the game and confidence very high.

The end of the game was marked by a lack of controversy. There was potential with an endzone strip and aL was ready with some boos (even though the action was far from the crowd), but agreement on an uncontested score smoothed things out. Passion got to 13-12.

Then rasied fits got to 13-13 and everyone was excited about Universe point. Cobras received the Pull but somehow gave it away half way down the field. Cheese headed for the endzone and someone threw something laughable in his direction ... and he plucked it in to win the game for the Passion.

The post-game presentations were very interesting, with Stu using the wrong pre-prepared speech and congratulating the Cobras on their win. The crowd soon corrected him (probably his only slip up of the season) and Passion picked up the RC Dog Cup, with a bit of gentle waving of the trophy in front of the other teams (well, Dojo, but we'll be kinder here, and Gref has since refound his natural generosity - he was exhausted (not buggered) after all).

Stu also updated us all on this season's Most Valuable Player, and the all important Spirit Champions, as below:

Congratulations also to Adam Beu 'Jangles' who won the season MVP trophy. The MVP all star team was:
1. Adam Beu 'Jangles' - 11pts (Heroes)
2. Mike Neild - 8pts (MBB)
3. Graham 'Special' Prickett - 7pts (MBB)
3. Abra Garfield - 7pts (Cobras)
3. Peter Allen - 7pts (Dojo)
3. Geoff 'Gref' Grundy - 7pts (Passion)
7. Al Don - 6 pts (Lovers)
7. Leon 'Fatty' McIntyre - 6pts (Dojo)

Overall spirit winners were the Heroes. Average spirit scores for the season were:
1. Heroes - 8.67
2. UQ Lovers - 8.63
3. Dojo Mojo - 8.25
4. UQ Pasison - 8.21
5. Moreton Bay Buggers - 8.17
6. Stamtown Flatball Club - 7.29
7. Cobras - 7.00

And that's it. Start pestering Steve C for some video now, or put your own reminicing in the comments.

BPL 2010-1 Grand Final Preview

Well the day of the big game is upon, and tension is in the air here at the BUB Manor. We have heard that the Maroons' captain Darryn Lockyer last night said "While our win in great, we can't wait to see what happens in the BPL final tomorrow night". Also, after winning game 6 of the NBA Finals yesterday, LA Lakers' Kobe Bryant said "While we are excited to send this thing into a decider, we probably will all be too tired from staying up watching the BPL final to play game 7". Some truly great, and undoubtedly truthful, endorsements of this highly anticipated clash.

Moving on though, we feel it is our duty to spread our thoughts to the wider community of how we feel the game will go down. Due to our slightly biased opinion on the match, we have enlisted the help of some "impartial" parties to help with the analysis.

Passion
Passion started of the season ridiculously strong, racing out to a perfect 5-0 record. They then lost their next 4 games straight to fall to 5-4, a losing streak that was started by Cobras. Their reliance on their big 3 of Cheese, Julz and Gref has been talked about in some circles, but the Passion roster goes much deeper than that. They also boost former BPL MVP Tom Daley, and Arrlann Christie can't be ignored either, along with his bellow that is belted out before every point. Dan Henbest is a name that wasn't familiar to many players before this season, but they have quickly learnt it as they see him flashing by them to the endzone. However, rumours have been circulating that Dan will be absent for the final. If you don't know who Dan is, his current facial hair makes him look a little bit like typical depictions of this guy.
Passion's obvious strengths lie with the aforementioned Cheese, Julz and Gref, but their style of play and constant movement mean that all players are necessary and all players are used equally. This style of play has meant that all players have to be able to play, and getting into the Grand Final shows that they are solid across the board.

Cobras
Cobras were many people's pre-season favourites, but have had the opposite season to Passion in terms of results. They didn't start out as strongly as they would have liked, and at one point had a record of 2-1-5 to sit 6th on the table and in danger of missing out on the playoffs altogether. Since that point, they have won 5 games in a row to win their place at the final table. Many people have noted that the Cobras lack major liabilities on the field, and this has been their main strength this season.
Cobras have managed to get to this point with 5 players playing in their first season of BPL, and this may be a weakness for them with these players not having experienced the atmosphere at a BPL Final before with the increased sideline, which is good for support and good for heckling.


Expert Opinions
While calling some of these people "experts" might be a bit of a stretch, we have nevertheless asked them to sum up their thoughts on what they believe might happen in tonight's game.

The Dojo with the Mojo: Pete Allen
Cobras:
Cobras started the season interestingly poorly (incl. loss to heroes), obvious lack of team discipline and understanding probably being the key factors in this. Although half way through the season this changed and they haven't really looked back. Their strengths are speed, age and enthusiasm. The weaknesses are age and lack of discipline and respect. The two main players to keep an eye out for in important points of a game are, Abra for his tactical thinking and handling, and a tie between Wetnose and Finn who can be expected to get the big D when necessary. Keep an eye on lack of respect for the marking rules in the younger players ;)

Passion:
Passion seem to be the exact opposite of Cobras this season, starting off exceptionally with 5 wins straight or something like that, then a post nationals slump with a heck of a lot of losses in a row. Luckily their early season form got them far enough to make the finals and they won their semi convincingly, which bodes well for the final, where they should IMO get their first major premiership under the belt after multiple attempts (no buggers this time). Team strengths are: experience as a team, some very exciting players, that extra level. Team weaknesses include: don't know how well they'll cope if they go down a few points, possibly some bad options.
Key playmakers apart from JMc, are Gref to make some ridiculous thumber lefty outside-out scoober to win the game, and Jules/Dan who will both make the endzone play fun to watch.

BUB Master Jdr
Much as it pains me, I'm have to tip the Cobras to win this one, purely on form.

I can only go on the scoreboards and blogosphere, but it seems the snakes had a tougher semi-final last week than the students. And in their final round matchup the week before, it was Cobras 13 Passion 10. In fact, I don't think the Cobras have had a loss since back in April. At this point, I am contractually obliged to mention Reece, Wetnose, Finn and Mike Nolan who occasionally read this blog.

Meanwhile, while Passion were "smashion" all before them earlier in the year, their only really notable win of the last two months was in their Semi against the Bugs, although I suspect that game was tighter than the scoreboard suggests. There are some who would argue that the Passion have a bit of softness inside, but John McNaughton is pretty good though, assuming he can get all his pulls to land in.

All that said, the BPL Final crowd could be a significant factor. Most games it is just yourselves and your opponents and maybe a couple of gimps and friends watching. The BPL Final sees at least one sideline filled, and usually brings out some of the city's noisiest (and occasionally funnier) hecklers. The extra eyes increase the pressure to both play hard and with the best spirit.

Can I add that I am saddened that neither Jon Good nor Rob Lowe will be available to one-handedly (no spillage please) manage the far-side scoreboard. This will be the first BPL Final in several years not to feature their entertainments. I hope Fluxie will step up.

Graham "Special G" Prickett
Cobras to win by 3,
Have too many good players across the park to shut down and their gritty will to win is just right to take out a final.
Key players
- Cheese for Passion - If he gets going he will devour the opposition like a rampaging mongoose
- Abra for Cobras - His popping tears apart zone defence like a fat kid opening Christmas presents

BPL LD Stuart Austin
Tomorrow nights final should be a good game with some quite different playing styles from each team; Cobras playing the big squad, aggressive, loud defence. While Passion calmly work things around and see what happens. The big match-ups to watch will be Abra v's Cheeseburger and Dan v's Jules. This will leave Gref with more responsibility down field and I'm not sure who on Cobra's will try and take him out of the game, Finn maybe? Cobras have a much deeper squad than Passion which they have recently being making advantage of in the last few games of the regular season.

I think Cobras will get off to an early start just by playing pressure D on some of the weaker Passion players, passion will keep it reasonably close and possibly rally back, depending on whether Cheese' can hold it together and not start throwing wild bombs!! With Passion's lack of legs and rumours of Dan Henbest being away, I'm predicting Cobra's will edge it out further and win the game 15-11.

Registered Sideline Heckler Al Don
Tightest season in BPL history as I recall.. Obvious contenders for the title going through midseason form slumps. Teams coming from nowhere to string games together at the right times.. Dojo choking one game earlier than in many previous seasons all adds up to a pretty good looking final.

Cobra's recent form has been hot and are athletic right the way down. Look out for big games from Abra, Reece and the big ginger Dan Young. A major negative for the cobra's will be the absence of the big flick from Trachter. I think the combination of well known passion stars JMac, Gref and Jules, the new boy on the block DanH being well supported by another solid line of athletes are going to be too much for the cobra's to knock over on thurs.

Passion to get over in a tight one..


Thank you very much to our esteemed colleagues for their opinions. We hope to see you all down at AJSC tonight for a good game, and stay tuned for our wrap up over the next few days.

Top 10 of 2009 Part 1

Well, its that time of year when we in stately Brisbane Ultimate Blog mansion like to roast a few chestnuts over the fire while turning the air conditioning up full boar, and contemplate the year that was. Of course, the rain has been handy too. Last year we stumbled upon the handy number 10 as the tally of big events for 2008, and we figure we might as well do the same this year.

So here's part 1 of the Top 10 most interesting things that happened in 2009 that we barely otherwise covered here at the Brisbane Ultimate Blog.

10. Matt Boevink Strikes Back

Former QUDA President (2003-2005) Mr Matt Boevink gave everyone one of his ‘well, why the hell not’ smiles at the Association’s AGM in March 2009, stepping back into the toughest job in Queensland Ultimate, and heralding the next phase in the overarching administration of Ultimate and Disc Golf in Queensland. 2009 was another big year for QUDA.

9. The Crawford Report

If you’re a policy wonk like those of us who hang out in the massive library and research labs here at stately Brisbane Ultimate Blog mansion, then you’ll have read the Crawford Report from cover to cover and be excited about what this could mean for the future of Ultimate. But you’re probably not. Nonetheless, we’re slotting this one in, so that if we look back in a few years time, if the future goes as it might, you’ll be able to look back here and say we had it right.

8. Passion Bounced

Its hard to avoid passing judgement, particularly on the friendly Brisbane Ultimate Blog, but its hard to go past tipping the scandal of the Brisbane Ultimate year being the UQ Passion’s disqualification from playing in the BPL Season 1 Finals. Passion’s failure to fill in enough roster sheets to qualify any of its players to play in the Finals series led League Director Stu to forfeit them and invite 5^th place Old School Buggers to play in their stead against 1^st place Dojo Mojo. Many felt this against the spirit of the BPL, which emphasises competitive play over ‘off-field rule mongering’, and were disappointed that if roster sheet-filling were of such importance then it could’ve monitored it during the season and had a quiet word passed on pointing out that Passion would be in breach of the rules. On the other hand, compliance with the agreed rules is also central to spirit of the game, and reams of email saw Stu stick to his guns and point out that the rostering rules were well known to everyone as an important part of ensuring the integrity of the Brisbane Premier League.

The year seemed to go further downhill for the Passion from there – their leadership’s apparent rigging of the BPL Season 1 Most Valuable Player voting (begun much earlier in the year) may have been meant to be a silly prank (no slander to Tomsteve Daley though, who did have a great year on the field in 2009), but in the context of what had gone before, seemed to make the team lose what sympathy they had. An effort at a new start and new look for Season 2 sadly saw the team burning some bridges with the folks at QUDA by taking forever to repay a loan to buy shirts, and the season ended with them missing the Semis again. Passion reps have ignored an invitation to visit the stately Brisbane Ultimate Blog mansion for interview (it is exam time though), but perhaps the New Year will bring a new vibe and a new Passion.

7. JFOG and QUDA Storage, Signage at AJSC

As usual, there were all sorts of adventures with fields this year (let us not speak of the AJSC lights), but a few standout moves this year were the putting up of some signage at AJSC, and gaining some permanent storage (and regular tournament use) of the JF O'Grady Fields in nearby Fairfield.

6. Women Break Out

Some people may not have notice it, but 2009 was a big year for Women’s Ultimate in Brisbane, at least in terms of the turnout to Northern Regionals. For the first time, Northern Regionals had a real women’s division (previously involvement had mostly involved two squads of Sultry ladies having a hit out), with four teams battling up and down the JF O’Grady fields. Can this be matched next year, despite the and will these numbers of tournament ladies

It’s worth noting that while the Open Division at Northern Regionals featured only five teams (down from six the previous year), these were five bigger and better teams, leading to a much more challenging and entertaining event for the lads.

The Agony and the Ecstacy

Surely its one of the signs of a great competition that often the most important and exciting looking games happens down the bottom of the table. Think about when it gets to relegation time in the English Premier League team, or whenever Fremantle take on the West Coast Eagles.

So it is in the BPL - with both the UQ Passion and the UQ Lovers facing off this Thursday to see who's going through to the Semi-Finals (with a roll), and who's going to be sitting on the sidelines drinking beer.

Let's cross over to UQ Lovers stalwart, Al Don*, in his pre-game email to the team:

"The ancient Spartans used to flog children for each use of an unnecessary word. Obviously, everyone here at the UQ Lovers would be beaten to death if we were to live under their rigid rule. No matter! We'll leave that particular scenario to the fantasies of our detractors. Sparta was a proto-totalitarian hell hole anyway (damn good enemies to be known by; the UQ Lovers are proud to be at odds with their dead civilisation.) Let the language and the information flow freely I say! Let plolixity run amok, rampage down the streets, and wax elequent on the fields.

And by our words you shall know our deeds, and our deeds shall be many, as
we shall defeat the UQ Passion and run forward in joy to the Semi-Finals".

Meanwhile, when we provided a microphone to Will of the UQ Passion, he had this to say**

"What we must do is beyond that or others UQ Lovers I stood with my back to you UQ Lovers and I knew you were not dumb but Lovers when we looked into your eyes were saw worlds upon worlds filled with fear fear fear that ran thick through you Lovers at Royal Rumble we needed no friends needed no partners every man stands by his self but the Passion always has but Lovers you still do not understand you still have mistrust we need not your protection Lovers."

Its a great time to be a UQ fan!

*These words are not actually those of aL - we just made them up. But it does sound a bit like something he'd say.

**Quoting we think, the Ultimate Warrior, he of World Wrestling Federation fame. Again, Will didn't actually say anything like this, but we're sure he wishes he could.

An Early Photo of the UQ Passion Squad

BPL 2009-2 Round 1 Results

Note the inclusion of Passion's new logo, in support of the Mike Neild's performance in the 2008 movie, Salute: