The Mayors 2 cents

I've been on an inexplicable hiatus from the local ultimate blog scene for quite some time now. In that time SFC has won a championship, a new LD has stepped up, a new all encompassing blog, tip site, and logo contest have all been initiated for our wonderful league, and heck we're even expanding geographically with a ground breaking round to be held in Miami (cue Will Smith) GC next week. More on that in the coming week. But for now, I'd like to chime in on what has happened on the field this season. Not so much in the way I used to as far as Power Rankings go, as they rely upon consistency, and weekly reporting.. I've clearly dropped the ball (disc) on that for this season. But more a team by team report. The good the bad and the ugly... what's transpired, and what's in store for the coming weeks. It's the pointy end of the season, and there is a clear separation of power between the top 3 and the bottom 3, but still much jostling to do in the final 2 round robin fixtures. Here's your inside scoop:

 Dojo Mojo - Stealing a win from SFC last week may have been enough to seal the Dojo another Minor Premiership. Though they share an equal points record with SFC, they are well ahead in point differential. It would take a couple of unexpected lopsided margins for SFC and against Dojo to turn the table on this affair, and for the time being we'll assume that they've got it in the bag. But the Dojo won't have they're sights set on the Minor after letting the Dog Cup slip away last season. It's very clear from post game discussions that they are keen to regain what they believe is rightfully theirs. Not only is the Sensei missing the comfort of the Dog Cup on his mantle, but there have been more than a few grumblings with all the walking they have to do on their ventures to field 2, and the odd time to the lowly depths of field 3. The Dojo have a very deep roster and some very dangerous weapons. They're FS quartet in Coops, Fatty, Cola and Pete are well complimented by the God squad that the Sensei has routinely been sending to the fountain of youth. Daz seems to have cloned himself, the Webb brother is coming on strong, and LD baker is doing what he can to rig the draw. The Dojo have their sights set 'high', and will likely have to topple their new adversaries to get to their old heights.

 Slamtown Flatball Club - The GC'ers were not at all happy to drop a game to the Dojo a few weeks back, and have been consistently playing with single digit rosters for the last 5-6 weeks. I went away to Bali, and the team reported win after win. Upon my arrival, SFC suffered their first loss and nearly 10 weeks (going back into last season) I'll happily have the finger pointed my way for the mishap. Until then, there were rumblings of going undefeated, and 72 Dolphins comparisons were all but in the books. But the Slammers are not concerned about secondary prizes, accolades, or kudos.... we're here to defend what is now ours. We know the road from here on out will not be easy, and that we'll likely need to go through two of the most decorated teams in this league (MBB, Dojo) in order to successfully defend, and we're up to the challenge. The SFC core from last year remains intact with Kev, Troy, Beans, Nandor, Abra, and Issac all returning to their seats in Town Hall. The Bandidos disbanding sent SFC tournament guns BW and Gref our way, and the return of veteran aL Don has certainly helped to steady the ship. Throw in Canadian import Andy 'Boo' Lawson and the younger and non identical Stone boy Jordii, and SFC feel they have all the parts necessary to defend they're title.

Moreton Bay Buggers - The Buggs are right there, and though they may be on the outside looking in at the moment, they are already assured a spot in the semi's, and this is a team that can never be counted out... particularly in a big game. The Buggs are known for their ability to step it up when it counts, and will never be overlooked by any sensible opponent. They still have time to shake things up, including a big clash this week with the Dojo as the marquee match up down in the Gold Coast. A win here would really shake up the top of the table, and could have them in position to spoil. The Buggs may not have all the depth of the Dojo and SFC, but they certainly have the experience, determination, and the savvy to make it happen. Led by the most intense (40yr old) man in Queensland ultimate this team is littered with experienced handlers that are able to play possession minded ultimate. Jangles return to the mighty Bugg certainly bolsters the line up and with Buzz, Trev, Ferg, Rolo and Moto they have some battle hardened vets to help move along their handful of newbies. But like always, the Buggs integrate new legs into the system well, and it could quite possibly be the players you haven't heard of that get you in the end.

Cobras - I'm not sure if they even hold fourth position anymore, a loss to the Heroes this week certainly didn't help. This team lacks in depth, but were very much on the radar to do some damage at the start of the season because of their top end talent. By my estimation, they have the most FS players on their roster, and without harping on them too much, they are likely to be perceived as underachieving. The snakes have a plethora of weapons and lost a few close ones at the start of the season. But attendance seems to have been their undoing again as they had a few weeks in the middle of the season where they struggled to get 7 on the line, and have even succumbed to the only forfeit of the season. Regardless of weather they are in or out of 4th at the moment, there is still time left, and if they can get their roster sorted and steal a win in the final 2 games the are by my estimation the most dangerous of the 'lower tier' teams in the comp. I mean listen to these names... Reece, Finn, Brian, Dan, Alex, and Abi Stone. Unfortunately Jack was lost to injury, but they pick up the creator of the snakes and notorious BPL bad guy Wetnose for the tail end of the season. Erhardt and Dave Warren round out the roster with some reliability and a few sets of fresh legs makes you wonder how they have fared the way they have thus far.

Heroes - The loss of their captain and best player to kick off the season hurts... but these Heroes have worked so hard to get where they're at. Surely one player can't make that much of a difference in a season? Well, it's a bit more than that, the Heroes only have 10 on their roster at this stage, and lost a 'should be win' to Blitz a few weeks back. They did make amends this week in beating the Cobras, and are right there in the mix... but they seem to be the underdog as such. Silent George has stepped up to the more vocal captaining role and will rely on Myall, the brothers Brown, and Jamie to really work down field with him in order to open up the field. They look a bit thin at handler with Carl Behrendorff as their only 'true' handler, but brothers Strelan, Paul and Juan can all play Jack of all trade roles. The Heroes will have their hands full playing the defending champs on home turf next week and will be hoping to steal one or resting hopes in the final week of play.

 Blitz - The new UQ have been without their mantle pieces for the bulk of the season. It seems they've had one or the other, and sometimes neither. Now the remainder of the team are certainly talented athletically, but lack experience across the board sorely. They finally had both Cheese and Cunliffe for their last few fixtures and stole one from the Heroes and almost pulled off a 'win one for the Gipper' ordeal on Cheese's send off tonight as they had Dojo all knotted up at 6's before watching it all slip away. Stu McGoo and Geoff do offer some stability at the handle, and Timocles, Micah, Craig, Brock and Dan are some sprightly up and comers, but it's likely that this group will drift down to the bottom, and are all but certain to miss out on the semi's... that said... it ain't over till the fat lady sings. More regularity with their roster will help in seasons to come as we hope to see this exciting team stick around (and get uniforms) for years to come.