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As promised it's time to tear the panties off those new teams joining our ranks. This is where they get stripped down, hosed off and powdered up in front of all to see. This is my traditional way of greeting all the newbies and welcoming them to Division II.3. So that being said, lets get things rolling.

I'll kick things off from left to right in alphabetical order!

Big 8 Newbies

Div III.16 Promotee:

Corio Bay Giants - Manager: Greyhound11 - This one might have flown under the radar but now it's time to call a spade a spade. Long standing ABBL legend Avalon Jets appear to have pulled a shonky by going a name change to avoid media attention. It looks like anyone hoping for some 'yo-yo' bouncers is right out of luck this season. These guys have been around since season 2 and have plenty of ABBL experience. I'm talking season 4 through to season 16, not to mention a coach with Aus National Coach experience! After dropping 2 seasons, CBG are back after adding a new trophy to their cabinet, most likely hungry for another! Greyhound comes strapped with a certain outside offense team with a star SG in Carlos América ($93k), well backed up by PG Mark Richardson ($65k). Probably missing a much need C early into this season, as standards show in D2.3 it's a $100k C or get out! No doubt young 20yo C, Siggy Jolly will be getting smashed in training sessions and will grow into the kind of C we are used to seeing amongst our ranks. So much experience we can only expect big things from Avalon... sorry CBG. Watch this space!

Div III.15 Promotee:

Cunning Linguists - Manager: Coach Regan - These guys have being putting the yards in since season 11, starting down in Div IV. After several seasons developing in Div III.15 the Cunning Linguists have finally broken through to their first season in Div II. Perhaps looking a little undermanned at this point, with only three $50k+ players in the starting 5 and $30k PG/SF's, things are going to be tough for this young virgin and a cherry popping will come suddenly. Lacking a decent line up of bench players could prove costly, especially if injuries occur. Hopefully Coach Regan has some coin stashed away and a keen eye for bargains on the trade market. Don't expect a warm welcome for CL but expect some lessons learned!



Last edited by Violator at 2/10/2012 4:58:55 AM

And now over to dark side where things start to get really juicy! ABBL relegate always comes before the Div III riff-raff, standard procedure must be followed.

Great 8 Newbies

ABBL Relegate:

Hadders Heros - Manager: Hadders - Another grizzled veteran to bolster our competitive league, HH has been kicking around season 3 and has been up in the ABBL and back down and then up and down again. Hadders has an Australian U/21 National Coach stint to his resume, one that most remember for the wrong reasons but don't think Hadders won't still brag about doing it! He is also a fellow member of clan [TEA] and the failed TEA Cup PL that offered so much potential but achieved so very little. Currently Hadders sits at no.6 in the Aus country rank, which suggests he is a very good chance of auto promoting. Currently trying to clear up some much need salary cap space, Hadders is trying to prepare for the massive drop in income that all ABBL relegates share. That being said it is quite difficult to tell how HH will look when crunch time kicks in but only a fool would think this team won't be a threat. Hadders has always been a fan of a well balanced team with worthy bench players. Expect to see just that once the finance situation has settled.

Div III.3 Promotee:

CROCKERS - Manager: bevers - Here we have yet another member of the attempted TEA Cup, bevers has been drilling his team since back in season 8 and spent a long stint of that in Div II.4. A short trip to terrorise Div III.3 and another ornament for the trophy cabinet and Crockers are back to battle with Australia's wannabe elites. Fittingly Crockers have been paired up with Hadders Heros as rivals but one may suggest Crockers drew the short stick on this occasion. None the less bevers must have received the memo and has come strapped with a $100k C, in Ermanno Rossano and smartly has him paired with an impressive looking PG, Apolonio Calugas ($78k). These two should cause some concern though Irishman Rod McPhail probably falls short at SG ($45k) especially with the remaining SF/PF who are not really going to cut it. SF Mövsüm Javadov has HOF potential but at 24 he's going to need some real attention to take him to the level a HOF should be at. A non-existant bench is never nice but with a full season ahead, Crockers has plenty of time tweak things.

Div III.12 Promotee:

Mad Rangas - Manager: Rad_Ranga - The second virgin cherry that we've been blessed to pop this season, Mad Rangas are the least experienced side to have joined us. That's not really hard when you've got the likes of Avalon... erh.. Corio Bay Giants and Hadders Heros to contend with. Rad_Ranga has been in control of this team since season 13 and has only moved in one direct, up! The jump from 4 to 3 isn't really compareable to 3 to 2 but who's to tell an angry Ranga anything else? Not me! Surprisingly enough this team probably has one of the most ready-to-go starting 5 line ups that I've looked at and with a 22yo, MVP potential PF, Aussie, Gabriel Wall is only looking to get better, so things appear on the up. Funny enough Wall is a Ranga himself and could be the driving force pushing this team ahead for seasons to come. A $74k C and $63k SG will help the Mad Rangas stay a float but with only 8 players currently on board, it's highly likely there is still more to come. In a season where a weak link is hard to pick, this is definitely not the weak link.

Final Word:

Looks like another massively competitive season ahead and nobody can afford to drop games, if they plan on making finals or even just avoiding relegation. No teams look likely to commit to a tank season and a few have not even played a hand just yet. My cards are clearly on the table but I think there are at least a couple of sleeping giants waiting for their moment to appear. Lets get this season up an about!

Last edited by Violator at 2/10/2012 5:05:55 AM

ohhhh, great write up Vio, i only just saw it.

keep up the good work, it makes the game so much more interesting!

Better late than never mate! ;-)

I put this one in every season, enjoy writing it and seems to be well received.

I hope i promote to your division for the write up.......but then again, maybe not

I'm sure your team is looking better than mine at the moment, with only 5 players listed. :-P