The One-Arm Wrap - NQL Round 1 Overview

With the first official round of the NQL in the books and the second coming up this weekend, QA Today asks the NSW Quidditch community - what is the competition looking like across both divisions? Here are some of the responses to our call-out.Have your own thoughts about NQL, or Quidditch games in your own backyard? Feel free to get in touch with QA Today through media@quidditch.org.au.

Ana Barciela - Macquarie Marauders

For Div 1, I’d say at the Serpents are the best at the moment. After all, they are a team comprised of top level, committed players, who take the sport seriously and train accordingly, all seemingly well versed in quidditch strategy and passionate about it. Their strict recruitment is understandable when you want to play in a team where all the players take the sport seriously. I hope they are paving the way for more competitive, high level community teams to rise, but right now they have that edge on all other teams. I think there’s a clear distinction in Div 1 between the top four (Serpents, Unspeakables, WSQC and ANU) and Newcastle and Macquarie. Although any of the top teams could challenge Serpents for that first place, especially with the plethora of experience and national and state players they have between them, I consider the Unspeakables their biggest threat. They escape the curse of university teams, that have to work around a squad of players with different level of commitments, due to their ridiculous numbers and three teams. This gives the Unspeakables the advantage of fielding the most competitive, committed and talented players, mirroring what I previously said about Serpents training ethics. Their match up this weekend will be thrilling to watch! 

"Any of the top teams could challenge Serpents for that first place, especially with the plethora of experience and national and state players they have between them"

As for what the teams outside the top four need to do move up, it’s different for each team. Newcastle has been in a consistent level for quite some time now, and I attribute that to a combination of using the same tactics repeatedly, and a reliance on the same players. For elite teams, their pattern is easy to pick up and counter, as they have both the player skill and tactical knowledge to do so. A dynamic change could help Newcastle catch up. As for Macquarie, they’re one of the three teams that had to rebuild after a mass exodus, but the only one in division one. Although a lot claim this to be ‘unfortunate’, it is a great chance to train the new squad up by being thrown in the deep end. As they’re starting back basically from scratch, what they need at the moment is patience, and a lot of training, and to finding the right balance in doing so as to not overwhelm new players and at the same time not bore the experienced ones.It’s harder for me to pick the best team in Div 2. I think it’s a tight fight for the first spot, but I’m putting my money on Weasleys at the moment. They have worked hard throughout the years to bring themselves to a competitive level, and it was shown last year with them giving top teams close games, and even upset victories. Their relentlessness and unwavering acceptance of all players in the past has provided the team with enough experience and skill to push for that top spot.That being said, they will face quite a challenge from other teams. The Unbreakables have a very solid chance of topping the division as well, now that USyd has made a split between a B and C team. They have shown promising plays in the games I have watched, and have some stand out players, that hopefully don’t get poached by the Unspeakables so that they can help bring the team up. They’re certainly relentless, and some of their plays in offence are quite risky and unadvisable against elite teams, though mostly successful in their division. Playing against equal teams this year will give them plenty of opportunity to learn hands-on strategy and the right calls to make in a game. We can also not discount UNSW or UTS. Their recent turnover of players makes it hard to predict how well they will do this year, but their history as strong teams, and the coaching of veteran players could guide them to the top of division as well.My hot take? There are quite a few rematches this tournament of games that did not go well at all in the previous ones, and this is the tournament that will smooth things over and solidify rivalries.

Cooper Fitzgerald - University of Sydney Unspeakables

I’d say the Serpents are the strongest side in NSW right now. Their sheer depth and experience place them above all the teams in NSW. Their chaser game is incredibly powerful and can muscle through any defence if their beaters get the upper hand.However, the Unspeakables have the ability to challenge the Serpents. Both Serpents and Unspeakables won all of their round 1 games out of range, with the Unspeakables beating Western Sydney out of range, the team who seems likely to place third. The Unspeakables have an upper foot on the Serpents in terms of all round beater play, and the chaser play isn’t too much weaker. The game this Sunday will be very telling as to how the rest of the season will go.

The Unspeakables have the ability to challenge the Serpents.  The Unspeakables have an upper foot on the Serpents in terms of all round beater play, and the chaser play isn’t too much weaker.

In Div 2, I’d say the two strongest teams are the Weasleys and the Unbreakables. The Weasleys have by far the strongest chaser game in div 2, however the Unbreakables have by far the strongest beater line up in div 2. It will interesting to see how the two teams clash.Division 2 however does feel much more competitive than division 1. There are quite a few new players on the Weasleys, Unbreakables, UTS and UNSW, so it will be quite difficult to pick the order of the teams 6 months from now. Overall, the team that works the hardest will be rewarded, and the Unbreakables probably have the strongest supporting infrastructure so will have the highest potential to improve.

Lachlan Ward - Sydney City Serpents

In terms of the best team in each division - I am biased of course, but the Serpents are the top team at the moment, mainly because they have the best team synergy.  For Division 2, the Weasleys are quite clearly the top team with their high percentage conversion of offences proving the difference as compared to other teams.There are plenty of teams competing for those top spots though. For Division One, I would say that WSQC and Unspeakables are also serious contenders for the title, with ANU not too far off the pace. For Division 2, I would say that the Unbreakables and UNSW are also with a good chance of winning the division.

"There are plenty of teams competing for those top spots though"

For teams just outside the bubble - I’d say to be able to compete more effectively teams’ snitch on pitch game needs to be improved as there has been a tendency for games to start blowing out in favour of one side once the snitch is released.#HotTake time: Luke Derrick returning to beating, if he ever does, should be exciting to watch - maybe he will forget what a bludger is.

The One-Arm Wrap - Vic Cup Overview

With six rounds of the Vic Cup complete, the Victorian Quidditch community has a very good idea of the teams leading the charge in 2018. QA Today made a call-out for Victorians to give us their thoughts on how the Vic Cup was tracking, and here are some of the responses.Have your own thoughts about the Vic Cup, or Quidditch games in your own backyard? Feel free to get in touch with QA Today through media@quidditch.org.au.

Benjamin Watson - Captain/Asst Coach, La Trobe Trolls

As we stand, the Whomping Willows are currently looking the strongest of all of the Victorian teams. I think currently the Willows have quite a strong chaser line up and also then have a very strong beater lineup -they have such depth that they can also afford to have the likes of Bodie Nash or James Osmond seeking. The Manticores are a very close second. They also have a very strong chaser line up and beater line up. However other than Neil Kemister they don't have as much depth when it comes to the seeking. However, in many cases Kemister is all you need. I think potentially anything can happen come finals in December. I think the Manticores will be running a lot smoother with all of their new recruits well and truly settled in and I would still rate them both very highly to take it out.

"I think potentially anything can happen come finals... The Ravens and the Monash Muggles aren't too far off the pace"

The Ravens and the Monash Muggles aren't too far off the pace and as is the case with the Manticores and their new recruits. As the team cohesion continues over the coming months we'll see those teams and a number of others really challenging those elite teams. I think this year there will continue to see some upsets and I definitely see both La Trobe Trolls and the South Melbourne Centaurs really knocking on the door of those elite and upper bracket teams as well.

Mark Kadabra - South Melbourne Centaurs

Right now, the Vic Cup is dominated by 3 teams, The Manticores, Willows, and new contender, The Melbourne Ravens.At the time of writing, The Whomping Willows are on top of the pack. Now in their second season, the Willows are a formidable side to be facing, one able to take full advantage of any slip-up in offence, or imperfection in defence. The Nathan Morton and Anthony Hogan beater combo feels like trying to crack into a perfect sphere; there’s no strategic edge to exploit, no soft spot to pressure, the whole team plays with a level of polish rarely seen in quidditch.The Manticores have always been at the top end of the league, and this year is no different. That said, they’ve had a series of important roster changes, losing key, core players such as David Blamey and Dropbear James Williams to the newly formed Ravens, whilst picking up interstaters Emmanuel Berkowicz (UNSW beater/seeker) and Queenland Thunderbird Dylan Waller. Perhaps most notably, the Manticores managed to snag Dropbear seeker, Mr. Foot-Catch himself, Neil Kemister, bringing extra punch and danger to their snitch-on-pitch game. In their last meeting, the Manticores were leading the Willows on quaffle points, but a snitch catch amid frenzied beater play handed Willows the win. Rest assured though, that this competition is certainly not over.

"Looking forward, I think Vic Cup will come down to the Manticores and Willows"

The newly minted Melbourne Ravens are an interesting mix. Though not what you’d call a ‘super-team’, like the kind seen emerging in 2017, they nonetheless pack a ‘super-team’ kind of punch. Founded by Dropbear partners in crime, Deni Tasman and James Williams, they assembled players from a variety of teams from across Victoria, most notably the recently Thanos’d Wrackspurts, and the Melbourne Unicorns, and have made them into something more than the sum of their parts. The Unicorns, for instance, have always been in the bottom half of the league, but the Ravens managed to take a chunk of their core team, and with the right combination of experienced coaching, training, and on-field support, have enabled them to hit well above their old weight. That said, they may still have some work ahead of them. When they squared up against the Willows a few weeks ago, we saw a side that hadn’t quite developed the polish to really flourish at the highest level, with some of the most insistent slowballing I’ve seen in Victoria. They had difficulty penetrating the Willow defence, and their chasers didn’t seem comfortable committing to an attack until, and unless, the beater battle was decidedly won. There was a stark difference between the cautious Raven slowball, and the hard and fast Willow offence on each quaffle turnover. That said, they’re not a team to be taken lightly, and I’m excited to see how they square up against the Manticores, in coming weeks.Beyond the big three, we’ve always got the Monash Muggles, eternal gate keepers to the big leagues, eternally trying to break in, themselves. This year, however, they just might have a serious chance. With some nice new pick-ups from their sister team, the Monash Mudbloods, and the return of prodigal beater, Zach Giofkou, the Muggles are sporting a slick side with some serious depth. Though they may not be able to match the consistent technical wizardry of teams such as the Willows or Manticores, they play a strong strategic game, and are in the unique position of having all of their beaters fill virtually the same, highly aggressive role, such that their pace doesn’t shift much as the sub. They remain a team for which to watch out.Perhaps the final big-mover on the Victorian quidditch scene so far this year, are my own South Melbourne Centaurs, who’ve recently expanded to a second team, the Minotaurs. We made a point of balancing the teams, to ensure each was functional and cohesive, with a spread of experience. However, this has left the Centaurs - the more competitive of the teams – with a very narrow 9 player roster. So far this has proved our greatest challenge, as the solid core we currently have can dance with the best of them while fresh, only to slowly lose pace as the game progresses. That said, with some promising new recruits to the club, and the inevitable increase in fitness that comes with consistently playing near-full games, the Centaurs are optimistic and looking up the table with hungry eyes.Looking forward, I think Vic Cup will come down to the Manticores and Willows, I don’t quite see the Ravens, or anyone else, being able to dislodge those two at this stage. I do think the Ravens will grow into a powerhouse, but they may need a season or so to get there. I’m also very interested to see what the Muggles can pull out.

Tim Scott - Captain, Melbourne Ravens

Four teams have established themselves at the top. The Willows, Manticores, Muggles and the Ravens look to all be slightly ahead of the rest of the competitionAs for the best of them, the Willows are yet to drop a game and are looking good for back to back state championships.I think beating is what's setting the top teams apart. The Willows have Morton and Hogan, Ravens have Tasman and Clementine Round, Dean Rodhouse leads a new look but very strong Manticores beater line up and the Muggles beater rotation is quality player after quality player. The presence of these beaters on offence and defence makes the game so much harder for the opposition.

"I think beating is what's setting the top teams apart... also depth of talent. The top teams can make subs and their overall team is still incredibly strong"

Also depth of talent. The top teams can make subs and their overall team is still incredibly strong. Thirdly the top teams have players that if they want can win a game off their own back. Callum Mayling, Rodhouse, Osmond, Morton, Williams, Tamsan, Dan Leane, and Ed Vienet; all of these players can almost singlehandly pull their teams over the line on their day and make it incredibly difficult for opposing teams if they don't also have one of these game winners.The next three weeks will see the Ravens take on the Muggles and the Manticores. These games will be super important in shaping the top four come the end of the season.

Sam Kilpatrick - Vice Captain, Monash Muggles

Right now, I'd say Manticores and Willows look equally good overall, with each excelling in different areas. Their game was only decided by snitch catch (I drew the short straw as that snitch). Manticores have very crisp and experienced chasers with a heavy presence on Team Australia. On the other hand Willows have more newer chasers who can only improve with Team Australia Coach Gen Gibson giving guidance. They also have Ant (Hogan) and Morton, and any opposition team DEFINITELY feels Nathan when he's on pitch. The Manticores beater line up is feeling the loss of James Williams to the Ravens - not crippling by any means but there's no doubt that Dean and Williams together was formidable.

"I see top four at the end of the season (in no particular order) being Willows, Manticores, Ravens and Muggles, and really I dont see any reason why any of those teams shouldn't be able to put on a good show and win the final"

The Ravens and Muggles are also looking quite competitive this year. With Ravens recruiting excellent players from teams such as Wrackspurts, Manticores, Muggles and Unicorns (With Wrackspurts and Unicorns probably feeling it the hardest). Ravens beater game is (in my opinion) their best asset - boasting former Wrackspurts Clem, Deni, and Liam McCoppin as well as taking a good chunk of the Unicorns beaters. In the opposite circumstance, despite being a University team Muggles had pretty little turnover this year - which is great and let us bolster our numbers a bit. Similar issues regarding training up our new people as the Willows but once our new players can learn how to keep the broom between their legs our combination of fast subs and experienced players should also let us put up a fight! I see top four at the end of the season (in no particular order) being Willows, Manticores, Ravens and Muggles, and really I dont see any reason why any of those teams shouldn't be able to put on a good show and win the final. Especially with more time to train and gel together I see both Muggles and Ravens being able stay within snitch range. In other news - Centaurs are playing a pretty solid season, grappling with La Trobe for control of the middle bracket. Centaurs maybe looking a bit spicer but not too much in it.

The One-Arm Wrap: NQL Division 2

With two pre-season rounds complete, the NSW State League, NQL, finally moves into pool play this coming weekend. With a brand new division system in place, teams can expect close match-ups in every single game they play. The Divisional split is based entirely on the results of pool play from the 2017 season, with six teams in Division 1 and seven in Division 2. Here are the results from pre-season play.QA Today's Cameron Caccamo takes a look at the teams that make up Div 2 - including each team's record, how they're tracking, and what to expect from them now that we enter pool play. Division 1 analysis can be found here.

MACARTHUR WEASLEYS

Division rivals: 2 games, 1 out-of-range win (WWQC), 1 in-range win (UNBR)Other games: 4 games, 4 out-of-range losses (WSQC, SERP, ANU, NEW)The Weasleys had by far the toughest schedule over the two pre-season rounds, with four games against Div 1 opponents. The experience should serve them well for the pool play rounds, where they are certainly amongst the best teams in Div 2. Their squad runs deep, with plenty of experience and plenty of people to ensure they will always have a full squad - and against many Div 2 teams, that will be invaluable.Match ups this weekend: OPAL, HIHO, UNFO

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY UNBREAKABLES

Division Rivals: 3 games, 2 out-of-range wins (WWQC, SOAP), 1 in-range loss (WEAS)Other games: 4 games, 4 out-of-range losses (WSQC, SERP, NEW, ANU)When USyd decided to have a proper B and C team - as opposed to two evenly-matched B teams - there was considerable hype over what the Unbreakables could achieve. With a strong beater squad and a couple of high-performing new players, this is a team capable of winning any game in Div 2.Their game against Newcastle was close until snitch was on pitch, and impressed considerably in their other losses. Expect them to challenge for the top of Div 2.Match ups this weekend: SOAP, OPAL, HIHO

UNSW SNAPES ON A PLANE

Division rivals: 2 games, 1 out-of-range win (UNFO), 1 out-of-range loss (UNBR), 1 forfeit (OPAL)Other games: 3 games, 2 out-of-range losses (UNSP, ANU), 1 in-range loss (MUQC)Another team with plenty of new players, UNSW is a team on the up. They've got plenty of the right pieces, and just needed the preseason to bring it together. A close game against Macquarie will hopefully be a sign of things to come for a team that can definitely challenge teams across Div 2. The game against the Unbreakables should be a good sign of how far they have come since March pre-season.Match ups this weekend: UNBR, HIHO, WWQC

HILLS/HORNTAILS

Division games: 1 game, 1 out-of-range win (WWQC), 1 forfeit (OPAL)Other games: 1 game, 1 out-of-range loss (SERP)A hybrid team with only two games of experience, it's difficult to rank "HiHo" fairly. Given their dominance over Wollongong and the fact that most players on the team have considerable experience - just not with each other - we'll leave them in the middle of the pack for now, but with games against the Weasleys and the Unbreakables they could prove to be among the best in Div 2.Match ups this weekend: WEAS, UNBR, UNFO

WOLLONGONG WARRIORS

Division games: 3 games, 3 out-of-range losses (UNBR, WEAS, HIHO)Other games: 3 games, 3 out-of-range losses (ANU, WSQC, MUQC)It's fantastic to have Wollongong back in the fold, and their new players would have appreciated the experience across the pre-season. While three out-of-range games against division rivals isn't the ideal preseason, the Warriors will get better and better every tournament and will definitely look to make a splash in Div 2.Match ups this weekend: UNFO, OPAL, SOAP

UTS OPALEYES

Division games: 1 game, 1 out-of-range win (UNFO), 2 forfeits (SOAP, HIHO)Other games: 1 game, 1 out-of-range loss (UNSP)Not having the extra pre-season games in March hurt UTS, but at the April games they impressed in their game against the Unforgiveables. If they play like that again they can absolutely mix it with the best in Div 2 - and this weekend they get three of the best in the Division to prove it. The problem are those two forfeits - here's hoping the team can recruit and keep a full, healthy squad for all of their pool play games.Match ups this weekend: WEAS, UNBR, HIHO

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY UNFORGIVEABLES

Division rivals*: 2 games, 2 out-of-range losses (SOAP, OPAL)Other games*: 1 game, 1 out-of-range loss (WSQC)It may look from the results that the Unforgiveables had a stellar day at March pre-season, but that was a totally different team; with none of their new players ready to play, USyd had several players team up with ANU reserves. The April results reflect the real Unforgiveables going forward, a team of almost completely new players.With the new USQL these new players will be getting far more game experience than many of their counterparts at other teams, but will still need a bit of time to learn the game - and games exclusively against Div 2 opponents will help immensely with that. Expect rapid improvement from the Unforgiveables.Match ups this weekend: WWQC, WEAS, HIHO

BREAKING: Quidditch Australia Slammed as Evidence of Ball Tampering Emerges

It is a dark day for Quidditch in Australia, as evidence has emerged showing ball tampering is rife across the entire sport. Not even the World Cup final in 2016 is free from controversy. It is alleged that across most tournaments in Australia, many available quaffles - a volleyball used to score points - and bludgers - the dodgeballs used by beaters to knock players out of play - were under-inflated. This has a distinct effect on how the ball is thrown and caught, giving the team ready for such circumstances a clear advantage.

It is still being determined just how deep this goes - with some in the community fearing that entire tournaments may have been played under these conditions.
This is now Australia's #deflategate, and many are calling for the leadership of Quidditch Australia to be sacked.
There is even evidence that under-inflated balls were used in the 2016 World Cup Grand Final. Quidditch experts say that a thrown bludger from star Team USA beater Max Havlin that missed Australia's Seeker Dameon Osborn seconds before the winning snitch catch may have hit if the ball was fully inflated - casting a shadow over the miraculous win.
Quidditch Australia President Luke Derrick gave a tearful press conference this morning.
“Firstly I’m deeply sorry. I love the game of Quidditch, I love entertaining young kids. I love kids wanting to play the great game of Quidditch that I love,” he said.
“Any time you think about making a questionable decision, think about who you’re affecting.
"But I just want to say I’m sorry for the pain I’ve brought to Australia and the fans and the public, it’s devastating and I’m truly sorry.”
However, Derrick will continue in his role as President of QA, saying "I won't be considering stepping down. I still think I'm the right person for the job."