However, I have had ample opportunity to mull over the other rosters in the league and have decided to offer up my two cents on what I think of them.
Let's work our way down from the top.
Starting with last years Champions.
I'm not sure of precise statistics, but this team has basically won every final but one since i've been in Australia. And in the season that they did not win... I have this feeling that big #1 wasn't playing.
This team is very much centered around Mike Nield, and so they should be. He is the most dominant pure receiver in the country, amongst the best in the world. To add to it, he makes a habit of bringing out his best performances in the big games.
That said, the whole Bugger clan is a well oiled machine. They effectively take away the unders knowing that they have a great insurance policy, and have a fast moving answer to most defenses put in front of them. Beyond their style of play, this team is without question the most disciplined in the league. It only makes sense, with the thought of a JRay verbal scalding to immediately follow any mishap... those mishaps become less frequent.
That's not all JRay dishes out, though his name is not officially on the roster yet, I don't doubt he will be ready to consistently deliver back of the endzone pulls, and to some how keep putting up floaty deeps for Mike to get under.
This team also sees the return of Graham Pricket, and Spinner which will add to their experience and ticker. LD Stu will likely add some sort of assist to his team through scheduling... as well as his fast paced, and efficient play.
The services of Jangles and Silent will surely be missed, as the two have moved on to the Heroes, but this team is still the king of the castle awaiting a worthy opponent to knock them down.
Speaking of worthy opponents, this team has done everything but 'win the big one', this is my old outfit, and one that shows the most consistency from tip to tail of the roster. A devastating loss in the last years final labeled them as 'chokers', and is something that they desperately want to rectify. I, as much as anyone, wear that moniker painfully .... and if the sour taste from last year doesn't spark this team, well... then maybe the new look roster will.
The Sensei was dealt with a major shake up. Not only has the emergence of SFC resulted in a handful of defectors, but the Dojo has also seen the loss of Stefan the German, Goldy, and now Andy McLean as well. Basically half of a roster!!
But a blog plea has proved fruitful. The Dojo acquired the services of new kenshi Pete 'I'm Back' Allen, as well as ex-LD John 'It's all' Good.
As impressive as these two names are, it's amazing to see the return of the'God Squad' , and an unknown to me, in Adrian Thomson. Wiley veterans Fatty, Eastburn and Flanagan, round out this roster, and make this team nearly as dangerous as they were when they had me.
The Dojo ways rely on individual excellence, which once again the roster seems to employ. What is to be determined is weather they find that killer instinct to put them over the top.
The Cobras came into last season as 'the new kids on the block', a role that SFC will take on this season, but they certainly had a very impressive looking roster. And by the end of the season, this team came within 2 or 3 points of beating the Buggs in the semi-final proving they were indeed a force to be reckoned with.
This season sees some drastic change to their lineup, and I'm still struggling weather to believe they will be improved or depleted.
Their losses are significant, Jimmy Larkin has left to represent his area code right here with the SFC, he served as a top utility man being a more than reliable handler, cutter, defender, and tactician. Piers Truter has not yet shown up on the roster and is likely to be leaving his 'make a big call at a crucial moment' game behind in exchange for his endless efforts in developing the junior program. And Cupcake has fallen back down to Sydney where he won't be bothered about outstanding fees.
On the flip side, Mr. Gillions was very quick to snap up the services of Abra Garfield, an Australian Open rep on the Dingos, as well as new Canadian import Rob Tracht, and the brothers Channon.
For a moment, it seemed they had the services of the JMac as well, but it seems his passionate loyalty prevailed.
This team is very much the league dark horse, if they begin to fire, they have the right personnel to get on a dangerous and momentous roll.
That's all for now..... stay tuned as both UQ teams and the new Heroes are next up for dissection.
Let's go Slamtown!!
by Squishy (noreply@blogger.com) at February 09, 2010 03:27 AM


