With Division 1 National championships returning to Ballarat for a second year in a row, 2024 promises to be a huge year for the flagship event in the Ultimate calendar. The season leading in has been quite fragmented, with not all teams attending all major tournaments, and massive upsets at regional qualifiers in multiple states. World Championships are later this year, and so the top end talent has been hitting their training at unprecedented levels.
The return of streaming (thanks to Ulti.tv) means that everyone at home can enjoy this incredible spectacle, but we’ve also spoken to representatives from each team to give us some insight into how their teams are feeling ahead of this weekend:
Heads of State Juggernaut, Melbourne, Seed #1
Juggernaut heads into Nationals having won several tournaments this year. But it's all been in preparation for the only title that matters, the upcoming test. Juggernaut hasn't featured in a semi final at Nationals since 2018, but in his second season as coach, Ciarán Hudson is hopeful his extensive experience with Aussie, Irish and Italian rep teams will yield him the tools to help his team bring home a gold medal.
The goals and focuses of the team are centred around belief, and building a level of success that is worthy of such a star studded team - full of ex and current Dingoes and Barramundis, as well as a few hungry and 'unlucky' cuts. Usual suspects like Seb Barr, Lachlan McDonald and Tony Castrignano will have a big part to play, but good performances down the roster will also be required. A few athletes with a couple of years under their belt will be leaned on, think the likes of Per Henriksen, Kelvin Du and Tiernan Somers, as well as the strong youth contingent too - Hamish Menzes, Leo Dykes and Fionn Somers are hungry to take some scalps themselves.
I-Beam, Newcastle, Seed #3
I-Beam started the 2024 season with a bang, cruising into finals undefeated in their first two tournaments of the year. These results were built off the back of a revamped squad and a famously brutal Newcastle pre-season. Led by captains and Australian reps Ryan Davey and Chris Stoddard, I-Beam’s goal for Nationals 2024 is to not only make quarterfinals but cement themselves as a team to be avoided in the knockout rounds.
I-Beam has added throwing strength and creativity to their O line in the form of Michael ‘Henry’ Thomas, while defensive workhorses Sam Jacobs, Ben Richardson and Hugh Osborn make their Nationals debut for the fabled cinnamon and emerald. Rookies Grayson Haynes and Johan Gründfeld add youth and exuberance to a famously ageing team. Finally, if rumours are to be trusted, dual Australian disc rep Chris ‘Chilly’ Hill has had a resurgence and is once again approaching levels of power greater than the sun.. good luck handling the Beam this year.
Hot Chilly, Melbourne, Seed #10
After being relegated to (and dominating) Division 2 last year, Hot Chilly have got a point to prove in Division 1 this year. Their goal - take as many scalps as they can to show Australia they are here to stay on the Division 1 stage. Their O-line is anchored by the ageless Tom Rogacki, with plenty of height to shoot to, most notably the James duo, French and Osmond. Their D-line is stacked with numerous X factor players, expect to see Reagan Turner and Michael Kelly (among others) horizontal more often than they are vertical when they’re on the field.
Sunder Slice, Sydney, Seed #2
Sunder Slice’s goal for Nationals is to win the championship. Their focus is always on getting the most out of themselves and running towards pressure, no matter the outcome. Their team combines experience with some old legends like Mike Neild and Gavin Moore, with the upcoming talents of our younger players Thomas Le and Leon Ngo. Players all across the roster have been performing well all year so we’re excited to see the full roster together at nationals.
Ellipsis Men, Melbourne, Seed #6
No team has gone back to back in the Open’s division since Colony in 2018, but Ellipsis Men have their sights set clearly on that goal. This season has not had much travel for the Lippy men, and so exposure to interstate teams is low. On top of no tournament wins coming into the tournament, the team has a lot to prove - but internally all the confidence that they are peaking at the right time. The focus is all about doing the little things consistently, from the very start to the very end.
The team is coached once again by Ashley O’Sullivan, looking to build on the success of 2023. There are plenty of returning athletes that can be relied upon to put forward jaw-dropping performances, but the team is deeper than ever - Jono Keyes and Bill Foreman are two huge additions as well as a battery of new defenders - Callum Dungey, Shan Wei Low and Rayne Chew all shining in their first season with the club. Daniel Moriarty and Roelof Dinkelberg are serious wildcards on the D-line, capable of generating blocks aplenty.
Manly Mullets, Sydney, Seed #7
The Manly program has been excellent for a long time, with great league attendance and a title-challenging women’s squad. The Manly Mullets made their first entrance to Division 1 in 2023, and are looking to build on that in 2024, and push into the middle of the pack.
The Mullets are built around young, homegrown talents like Noah Moss, Mack Calder and Matt Zabel. They are looking to follow up on strong results at Gold Cup and Eastern Regionals, by matching the maturity and composure of more experienced teams.
Outbreak Mountain, Adelaide, Seed #12
Featuring a squad with returning veterans and an electrifying young core, Outbreak will look to play a high-octane offence with both dominant deep threats and surgically precise handler movement. They also take pride in locking down opposition offences, reportedly being called the best match defence at Southern Regionals.
Keep an eye out for backfield threats in long-time handlers Sean Davis and Patrick Christie, working with rising stars in Kaito Foster and Jack Donaldson. The dynamic downfield features the likes of the experienced Brett “Sweet As” Middleton, and human highlight machines in Oscar Turnbull and Daniel Roberts. This team boasts intensity from top to bottom with an array of workhorses in their prime, namely Wilson Tran, John Perkins, and Vishal Naryan.
Krank, Wollongong, Seed #11
Despite a chequered lead up to the big dance, Krank are hungrier than ever for nationals success and to prove their Division 1 status after being gifted a lifeline in the form of an ADFA wildcard spot.
The roster saw some flux over the offseason - most notably the loss of three of their main handlers in Jayden Ferguson, Jono Keyes and Tim Booth. But fear not, the injection of some young exciting new players - the likes of James Wu, Sasha Paki and Herman Tu has done wonders for the team’s identity, with legs for days and an energy that will be sure to frustrate opposition.
Sublime, Perth, Seed #5
Sublime are celebrating their 20th year since establishment in 2004 and as a constant theme from the past, you can expect another year of unpredictable and gritty battles against them on the field. At 2023’s AUC, Sublime had 6 of their 8 games go down to universe point and they’re ready to do it all again, with a diverse roster comprising players of different ages, styles, and skill sets.
The team is player-coached by Dingoes representatives Jaxon Botje and Kyal Oh and you can expect to see their usual downfield cutting machines in the likes of Monte Masarei, Alex O’Neil, and Ryan Schmidt - but watch out for rising stars Radu Alecsa and Ethan Foggin. A limited roster from this group recently attended March Madness and are looking to build on some promising performances. With the looming unknown of the team from west, this element of surprise has been a key factor in the team's success and is something they intend to capitalise on as they descend on Ballarat in their Tesla's.
Fyshwick United, Canberra, Seed #4
Fyshwick has become younger and faster this year thanks to a new crop of talented rookies, leading to some strong team performances this season. Veteran AJ and young gun Alex Young bring their usual calm, calculated style on offence, while rookie Dane Kluken has been racking up goals with his pace on offence. Callum Sambridge leads the D line with a crew of fast, hard working players such as Jacob Blacklock, Pat Phillips and Fraser Wigney. Keep an eye out for Osaka import Shunsuke Kiguchi to bring an X-factor on the D-line offence.
Whatever the outcome, Canberra fans will be hoping to see some heroics from the Fyshwick boys this weekend.
Mammoth, Brisbane, Seed #8
Mammoth have a bit of a different looking herd this year. Led by stalwarts Liam Grimmond, Tom Anderson, Thomas Vo and Ben Cuthbert O’Meara, the pack has grown to include some fresh faces out of uni, two veteran southern imports, and a sprinkle of overseas talent.
“This season has mostly focused on building chemistry and confidence, sharing knowledge and staying fit and healthy” - Liam Grimmond.
Coached by the fabulous Soomin Roh, the squad is hoping to do one better than winning spirit last year and take home their real prize.
Sunder Dice, Sydney, Seed #9
It's been a chaotic season for Dice. For a range of reasons, the team selected at the start of the season has never, and will never take the field together. Injuries, life priorities, and Dingoes scheduling conflicts have shaped our season. Throughout this chaos, fresh hungry players have strived to take the roles and step into the shoes of their absent Dingoes counterparts.
Captains Dylan Bennett, James Bray, Nic Lelli and Lucien Noel have kept dice firmly focused on the process. Thinking about the actions, behaviours, and importantly effort that any team member can, and must, apply to cause success for the team. Expect to see this team decked out in the best jersey in the game (the harbour city everyone wants to lay claim to) and playing with a fighting, chaotic energy, in the spirit of our season.
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By Rob Swan and IOU contributors
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