It's been a long and chaotic offseason, and I for one am ready to leave it behind. We're on the cusp of a new season, filled with new hopes and challenges and with a lot more parity than last season. I've done a walkabout and have taken a look at all 16 teams of Zeta. Along the way I've talked to some owners (and took pictures of a few gameplans with my micro camera, won't tell you where that was hidden), uncovered some dark and ugly secrets (noumea) and found out along the way that we have an incredibly fun and competitive conference here in the water and jungles of Oceania.
Preseason Rankings
1- Guadalcanal Gunners- They were a strong second place team last season, but no one could honestly compete with the Stingers not even the Gunners with all the firepower they had at their fingertips. They've upgraded their arsenal and added weaponry up and down their roster. Their defense was already potent under the command of the madman Modok, and he's got a lot more to work with this season. The Gunners don't wildly outlevel the conference but they've trained long and hard and know how to effectively kill a man in over 10,000 ways
Returning Star- D Walker- TE New Impact Player- Hugh Laurie- QB
2(1a)- ASRW- Alice Springs team, the Wallabies, is potent, don't let the cute fuzzy mascot fool you. They beat both the Foxes and Lions and had 2 real chances at the Gunners and with the experience and hard work of season 3 behind them, they're only going to get better. These guys are beer swilling brawlers that are tough in a fight but afterwards will shake your hand and buy you one down at the pub. I expect them and the Gunners to fight it out in the Finals for the championship.
Returning Star- The artist formerly known as Kenye West- QB New Impact Player- Champ Berry- CB
That doesn't mean I don't think anyone else from Zeta can compete for the championship. I've seen so many postseason upsets to believe that GG or ASRW won't go unchallenged. Quite the opposite, I see 8 other teams that have improved and have a realistic shot of shocking the world and going all the way.
3- Newcastle Mountain Lions- The Lions D was fierce last season, shutting out their first 4 opponents, allowing only 2 teams to score more than 20 pts on them, and really showing how strong they were in the postseason. They held the AA4 champion Stingers to only 17 pts, a season low for them. If they could improve their wr corp, they would be in the championship conversation, as the team stands right now though they're definitely top 4.
4- Tasmanian Swarm- This team has snuck up since their inception last season. With to544 being their hivemind, they've played consistent and strong, especially on defense. There are no stars on the team, they all contribute equally showing no obvious strengths or weaknesses making them a headache to get a bead on in gameplanning. I think they're a team to keep an eye out for.
5- Devonport Devils- I think the Devils came on strong during the last 8 games of the season last year, but their slow start hurt them badly. The team d is a nightmare to gameplan for, and should only be more powerful this season. On offense, they play mightier than what it looks like on paper and given the time to grow this season, this team could rocket up the charts. They're a team to avoid come playoff time.
Returning Star- Ed Monix- HB New Impact Player- Viktor Sheldon- CB
6- Fiji Flying Foxes- I'm not sure what happened in the offseason, maybe they went into hibernation but the Foxes aren't as tough as they used to be. The loss of Qb Yuri Lazarev and Wr Bure (I tried to recruit Bure for the Gunners), might harm them in the long run and tumble them down the rankings as other teams fight hungrily over their remains. The Foxes on D are still formidable, maybe even more so now than before.
7- WSP- Po, the owner has taken a lot of hits from the briefly Zeta team the Budapest Brawlers/Bora Bora Brawlers. I think he did what was best for his team by voicing his concern with what/how things happened. He didn't move the Brawlers, the voice of Bort commanded it and so it happened. Turn the page. The Cats are competitive within this division, and the gap between WSP and ASRW/Gunners isn't that large. They can and will be a team to watch and be wary of, especially coming down the stretch as the higher teams level off experience wise and the cats catch up.
Returning Star- Chris Pumanski -HB New Impact Player Zax Soapman- QB
8- Redcliffe Sharks- This is another team that had trouble in their opening eight games and it hurt them when it came time to make a playoff push. The offense looks like it's coming together nicely but the D seems to be lagging way behind, could be an effect of the poor player market out there right now. This team looks like it can compete for a playoff spot this season but really needs to watch it's tail as some other teams covet this position.
9- Hamilton Falcons- Last season, I repeatedly got on Kool about his teams low levels. Well I can't say shite this season as his loyalty and ingenuity have made this team look very good. As the top teams level off in experience gain, the Falcons may come soaring by them. If the schedule favors them early, they may get on a roll very few teams will be able to stop.
Returning Star- Marcus Raine- QB New Impact Player- Keenan Howry- WR
10- Rockhampton Raiders- This team has always looked like Zeta destroyers on paper, but last season they had trouble bringing it onto the field. This season they look good and poised to move up the rankings but still I need to see it on the field before I believe it. If Jerry Dorsey and Zangle Dinkleback hit it off, then they're a contender. Their D was solid last season and should continue it's excellence.
11- Dharma Initiative- This team has been infiltrated by others, the Initiative that was there last season has been purged. Top to bottom, starting and depth they look tough but this is another team i'm going to wait and see. When schedules come out, don't see Dharma and think instant win because they're going to surprise some people
12- Brisbane Troyfins- Those damn fins, they're solid. Especially up the middle. This team has everything it takes to make a good solid play off push and then some. As the higher leveled team gain less experience, they'll be catching up and catching some teams off guard (just not the Gunners again).
Returning Star- Rick Dee- QB New Impact Player- Int Erception-SS
13- Perth Pirates- They were a team on the rise at the end of last season, but everyone's improved some this offseason and that D might let them down when they need it. They'll challenge a lot of teams this season, and come playoff time will be a team to watch out for.
Returning Star- Robert Gentzke- Mlb New Impact Player- Nevin Blevins- DE
14- Lexington Armada- The Armada sets sail into a new season, and should show better than last season. Though I don't see a playoff spot for them this season, I do see improvement overall and no one should take them lightly.
15- Budapest Brawlers- I see a name change in the near future. Welcome to Oceania AA4 and good luck. It's a good conference to be in.
16- Noumea Mantas- To the players stuck on the squad because the owner sold without freeing you. Keep your chins up and I'm sure some of the owners here in Zeta would love to have you on their team. I also gm some teams and could place you if needed. To the future owner, good luck.
Preseason Rankings
1- Guadalcanal Gunners- They were a strong second place team last season, but no one could honestly compete with the Stingers not even the Gunners with all the firepower they had at their fingertips. They've upgraded their arsenal and added weaponry up and down their roster. Their defense was already potent under the command of the madman Modok, and he's got a lot more to work with this season. The Gunners don't wildly outlevel the conference but they've trained long and hard and know how to effectively kill a man in over 10,000 ways
Returning Star- D Walker- TE New Impact Player- Hugh Laurie- QB
2(1a)- ASRW- Alice Springs team, the Wallabies, is potent, don't let the cute fuzzy mascot fool you. They beat both the Foxes and Lions and had 2 real chances at the Gunners and with the experience and hard work of season 3 behind them, they're only going to get better. These guys are beer swilling brawlers that are tough in a fight but afterwards will shake your hand and buy you one down at the pub. I expect them and the Gunners to fight it out in the Finals for the championship.
Returning Star- The artist formerly known as Kenye West- QB New Impact Player- Champ Berry- CB
That doesn't mean I don't think anyone else from Zeta can compete for the championship. I've seen so many postseason upsets to believe that GG or ASRW won't go unchallenged. Quite the opposite, I see 8 other teams that have improved and have a realistic shot of shocking the world and going all the way.
3- Newcastle Mountain Lions- The Lions D was fierce last season, shutting out their first 4 opponents, allowing only 2 teams to score more than 20 pts on them, and really showing how strong they were in the postseason. They held the AA4 champion Stingers to only 17 pts, a season low for them. If they could improve their wr corp, they would be in the championship conversation, as the team stands right now though they're definitely top 4.
4- Tasmanian Swarm- This team has snuck up since their inception last season. With to544 being their hivemind, they've played consistent and strong, especially on defense. There are no stars on the team, they all contribute equally showing no obvious strengths or weaknesses making them a headache to get a bead on in gameplanning. I think they're a team to keep an eye out for.
5- Devonport Devils- I think the Devils came on strong during the last 8 games of the season last year, but their slow start hurt them badly. The team d is a nightmare to gameplan for, and should only be more powerful this season. On offense, they play mightier than what it looks like on paper and given the time to grow this season, this team could rocket up the charts. They're a team to avoid come playoff time.
Returning Star- Ed Monix- HB New Impact Player- Viktor Sheldon- CB
6- Fiji Flying Foxes- I'm not sure what happened in the offseason, maybe they went into hibernation but the Foxes aren't as tough as they used to be. The loss of Qb Yuri Lazarev and Wr Bure (I tried to recruit Bure for the Gunners), might harm them in the long run and tumble them down the rankings as other teams fight hungrily over their remains. The Foxes on D are still formidable, maybe even more so now than before.
7- WSP- Po, the owner has taken a lot of hits from the briefly Zeta team the Budapest Brawlers/Bora Bora Brawlers. I think he did what was best for his team by voicing his concern with what/how things happened. He didn't move the Brawlers, the voice of Bort commanded it and so it happened. Turn the page. The Cats are competitive within this division, and the gap between WSP and ASRW/Gunners isn't that large. They can and will be a team to watch and be wary of, especially coming down the stretch as the higher teams level off experience wise and the cats catch up.
Returning Star- Chris Pumanski -HB New Impact Player Zax Soapman- QB
8- Redcliffe Sharks- This is another team that had trouble in their opening eight games and it hurt them when it came time to make a playoff push. The offense looks like it's coming together nicely but the D seems to be lagging way behind, could be an effect of the poor player market out there right now. This team looks like it can compete for a playoff spot this season but really needs to watch it's tail as some other teams covet this position.
9- Hamilton Falcons- Last season, I repeatedly got on Kool about his teams low levels. Well I can't say shite this season as his loyalty and ingenuity have made this team look very good. As the top teams level off in experience gain, the Falcons may come soaring by them. If the schedule favors them early, they may get on a roll very few teams will be able to stop.
Returning Star- Marcus Raine- QB New Impact Player- Keenan Howry- WR
10- Rockhampton Raiders- This team has always looked like Zeta destroyers on paper, but last season they had trouble bringing it onto the field. This season they look good and poised to move up the rankings but still I need to see it on the field before I believe it. If Jerry Dorsey and Zangle Dinkleback hit it off, then they're a contender. Their D was solid last season and should continue it's excellence.
11- Dharma Initiative- This team has been infiltrated by others, the Initiative that was there last season has been purged. Top to bottom, starting and depth they look tough but this is another team i'm going to wait and see. When schedules come out, don't see Dharma and think instant win because they're going to surprise some people
12- Brisbane Troyfins- Those damn fins, they're solid. Especially up the middle. This team has everything it takes to make a good solid play off push and then some. As the higher leveled team gain less experience, they'll be catching up and catching some teams off guard (just not the Gunners again).
Returning Star- Rick Dee- QB New Impact Player- Int Erception-SS
13- Perth Pirates- They were a team on the rise at the end of last season, but everyone's improved some this offseason and that D might let them down when they need it. They'll challenge a lot of teams this season, and come playoff time will be a team to watch out for.
Returning Star- Robert Gentzke- Mlb New Impact Player- Nevin Blevins- DE
14- Lexington Armada- The Armada sets sail into a new season, and should show better than last season. Though I don't see a playoff spot for them this season, I do see improvement overall and no one should take them lightly.
15- Budapest Brawlers- I see a name change in the near future. Welcome to Oceania AA4 and good luck. It's a good conference to be in.
16- Noumea Mantas- To the players stuck on the squad because the owner sold without freeing you. Keep your chins up and I'm sure some of the owners here in Zeta would love to have you on their team. I also gm some teams and could place you if needed. To the future owner, good luck.
Last edited Jul 27, 2008 13:25:14
