BPL Power Rankings

BPL Power Rankings – 1^st Edition – Season 2, 2012

1 – (4-0) Northside Cobras – The Cobras are not the snakes we know from the last few seasons.  This edition turns up each week ready to play… and thus far, hasn’t even had a sniff of a forfeit.  In fact, the Cobras have had solid numbers every time I’ve looked across, and their depth is exceptional.  Not only that, they have no weak links, no ‘liabilites’, and thus far, no time for losing.  The only undefeated team remaining in the comp, these Cobras are the real deal, most recently proving that by knocking off reining champs and perennial heavyweights… the Dojo.  Their core hasn’t changes too much.  They shipped Jack out to Canada, and brought Boothy in from Victoria.  They seem a very tall and fast unit, with superb athleticism.  They are the talk of the league, and they will look to continue their winning ways against last year’s finalist in next week’s action.  The Cobras will remain a top the ranks until someone can give them something in the loss column.

2 – (3-1) Blitz –  Wow, where did these guys come from.  Wins over Dojo and the once red hot Heroes Blitz are 2 from 4 in the early goings of the season.  They are taking games as ‘must win’ already in the season, and this desperation is resulting in some exciting ultimate.  I believe they have already eclipsed their season 1 win total, and are chomping to be one of the elite 4 this season… so far, so good.  They beat the Dojo, beat UQ, and annihilated and undefeated Heroes squad this week.  If Cunliffe’s back can hold up, and the young guns continue to shine, this team will have as much a chance of any of squeaking in, and making some noise in the playoffs.  They’ll look to continue their winning ways against the struggling Buggs next week

3 (2-2) Dojo Mojo – After winning yet another championship, (3 of the last 4) while still featuring in the 4^th, the Dojo started the season as the unheralded favourites.   They only lost 2 games all of last season… or maybe only one?  They have already been beaten by Blitz in a massive upset, and humbled last night by the chart topping Cobras.  They have notched wins against their Finals rivals SFC and their old finals nemesis, the Buggs, but are not getting the automatic wins the way the have been accustomed to.  I don’t think there is any doubt that the Dojo are still very much a force to be reckoned with, but I do reiterate the fact that this league is turning into an ‘any given Thursday’ type of league.  Any team can win, if they simply want it more on the night.  The Dojo do have a lot of experience and veteran savvy going for them, which will bode well for them in the pointy end of the season.  The three headed monster of Fatty, Coops, Pete will be their weapons of choice in big games with notable contributors all over the place.  Dojo have a bye this week.

4 (2-1)Heroes – The Heroes came out of the gates flying with wins against SFC (their first ever), and then backed it up against the Buggs.  They were touted as reborn, and finally starting to play with the potential that everyone has seen in them for at least the last 2 seasons.  They went into their bye week with an undefeated 2-0 record, and faced Blitz this week.  As a fan of this league, I would surely have swung my tip to the Heroes, but they came out flat, and may have suffered from having too many show up.  Their depth runs a bit thin, and not being able to keep their top guns on may have been the difference in this one sided affair.  It’s now gut check time for the Heroes, will they roll over and become the Heroes of old after a heartbreaking defeat, or will they bounce back and regain their early season form.   Heroes will have a chance to rebound as they take on league expansion grinders: UQ.

5 (1-2) Slamtown Flatball Club – SFC have enjoyed some success in this league, even amidst the Dojo reign, they have claimed a Major, and featured in the big game on either side of their Premiership.  Like the Dojo, wins had traditionally come easy as lately, well not any more.  SFC opened up the season with loss, bye, loss, and only this week just cracked into the win column.  Losses coming at the hands of the Dojo, and a painful opener against the Heroes, SFC needed a win against the expansion UQ side, and nearly let it slip away with UQ playing to draw after the horn went.  Luckily for SFC, they got the final goal after nearly 10 changes in possession.  SFC has a very new look roster, slotting in a few new faces, and lots of mixing and matching on our roster with a handful of part time contracts.  They still have all the parts to put together a viable championship run, new pick ups Kalin, Trachter and Abe Stone hope to contribute to said run, but they will need to get on pace soon.  They will have their hands full with that task as they have the red hot Cobras in this weeks action. 

6 (0-3) UQ Lovers – The Lovers are back!  After years of having representation in this league, both Passion and the Lovers folded to make way for the short lived Bandidos, and now the alumni based  (though not affiliated) Blitz.  So BW and company have revitalised the university team… the team with the best feeder system, and a team with plenty of immediate potential.  Two of their losses have been by less than 2 points with a universe point loss to Blitz, and a 2 point deficit to SFC last week.  They will no doubt struggle to get the wins this season, but if they stick to a plan, they have plenty of potential to take a few expansion season wins late in the campaign, setting them up to be an very strong club in this league for years to come.  Already, they have a very handy core with BW, Baynes, Garry, and Tyson able to effectively move the disc, and make plays in the air.  Their new players are athletic, and if they can sort out their under pressure throwing, they will most certainly be able to contribute.  If the Lovers keep gringin, they’re going to end up on the winning side eventually, potentially against a Heroes side that fell apart last week?? We’ll see this Thus.

7 (0-3) Moreton Bay Buggers -  WTF???  The Buggs are 0-3??  A team the features Mat, Buzz, and Jangles… not to mention Trev, Spesh, and TJ … whats goin on here?  Well the surge in the league has got the best of them in the early going.  They are by no means to be counted out… but like SFC, have put themselves in a position to be fighting a serious uphill battle for the duration of the season if they want to play in the finals series.  Their losses have come from Dojo , Heroes and the Cobras, and with Blitz, SFC, and UQ on deck, they’ll need to start finding the mark before the leagues midway point.  The Buggs have always been a gritty team, and will hope to make their never say die game attitude to be a microcosm of their season attitude.  It’s shocking to see the Buggs down here, but it bodes well, for a very scrappy season ahead.  The Buggs had a bye week this time around, and will hope to rebound next week as they take on Blitz for a chance to revitalise their season.