Round 4 vs Heroes

Week 4 saw the Cobras face up against the Heroes. The quiver was somewhat depleted this night with Finn, JJ, Tractor and of course Reece out of the mix. As a seventh cobra slithered to the line just before huck-off, the snakes, playing savage, knew they would have to play out of their scaly skins to avoid a repeat of the game that will live in infamy (as viewed through snake eyes).

The first few points were reasonably even with both the handlers from both teams able to evade the defenders and throw safe scores. The cobras then consolidated their stack movement and befriended the breeze, hucking their way to a 5-2 lead.

Not to be denied, the Heroes were able to curl the disc around the zone and shamed the odd defender by getting the disc on the open side in one-on-one contest. The men in green and white revelled in escaping precarious positions on the field and through quick disc movement, levelled the scores at 6-all.

From this juncture, the Cobras were poised to strike. They took half 8-6 running a clinic of endzone offence. The frisbee Gods smiled upon the serpents as an assortment of hammer-hucks, scoobers and other less-than-convential passes found their way into the Cobra endzone. It was also a much improved defensive performance from the snakes as they denied many a downfield option. Abra did well to keep Jangles under wraps, Kalin stymied all he faced and Wetnose showed the method to his madness of playing off an opponent with a goal-saving layout block.

After a post-half 6-0 run to bring up game-point, the Cobras let their guard down and allowed the Heroes a 3-0 streak of their own. Alas, it wasn’t enough to boost them out of the snake pit as a Mike Nolan scoober was clasped by a backwards diving Micka to seal the game 15-9. The serpents have gelled and unlocked the door to enjoying playing competitive ultimate. In hope to consolidate our spot at the top of the table, we now take on the UQ lovers in what should be an epic clash – just ask Erhart.

Round 3 vs Dojo

Mike Nolan Jr with this week's write up:


Hello again from the depths of the Cobras’ Lair. Apologies for the sparse updates recently, but resident typo-machine Reece Stewart has still been too busy bouncing between European countries to do the write-ups. This week, I’ll do all I can to make with the opponent bad-mouthing and Cobra confidence building. So on to the match report!
Week three of the latest BPL season saw the Cobras taking on Brisbane’s perennial bridesmaids, the DOJO. The Cobras and DOJO traded a few points at the start of the match, but then DOJO turned it on to take a few breaks. They must have pulled strength from deep within their angst in losing twice in a row to the Cobras during the reptiles’ unbeaten streak in the previous season to reach the finals. Regardless of their motivation, the DOJO easily took half, leaving the Cobras down by more than a few and needing to rally hard in the second half.
Following some much needed motivation and team-strategy halftime talk, the Cobras came out firing on all cylinders, bringing the game to within three points shortly after halftime. Sadly, they couldn’t keep the momentum long enough to bring the score differential to within two, and the DOJO wound up scoring the final goal to finish off the Cobras 15-13.
The match was quite even-sided for most aspects of the game: Cobras’ offence was patient but lacked decisiveness when it came to tough throws while DOJO seemed to swing the disc successfully 20-30 times before pulling out a dodgy hammer or scoober. In the end, the height and ability of players like Leon and Pete Allen afforded an all-too-easy emergency option on four or five desperation hucks, blady forehands and hospital-pass hammers to the endzone. The Cobras need to develop a strategy to shut down these primary receivers during their next meeting with the DOJO in order to turn their three point loss performane into a one or two point victory.
The next week of games sees the Cobras taking on the fledgling Heroes, who are out to prove that they can beat any BPL team on any given Thursday. One can only imagine that the Heroes will be turning on the pressure, hoping to repeat the result of their lone victory over the Cobras from the last BPL season. It shouldn’t be a game to miss, especially considering it will be the first time the Cobras play against ex-fellow teammate Carl “Bear Hug” Behrendoofus.
Until next time, see you out on the fields.

Love and kisses,
Mike Nolan, Jr.

Round One vs Slamtown

So all has been a bit quiet on the Cobras blogging front with the absence of young Reece Stewart to worldly travel for a few weeks.

In his absence, not-quite-so-young James "JJ" Jackson has stepped up the fill the void (at least for the time being). So here is what he had to say about the Cobras first up game, and first ever win, against Slamtown:


Coming back to the graveyard of last seasons final loss, Cobras were eager to bury the pain with a first round victory over Slamtown.

With the departures of receiver Dan Young and cutter Carl (to fierce rivals Heroes), coupled with the absence of Aussie Thunder captain Reece Stewart, there was a sense of uncertainty surrounding how the team would perform.

However, with the addition of experienced head Erhart (?) and the dynamic Kalin (fresh from Canada), expectations were still decidedly high going into the new campaign.

Slamtown, renowned for their raw athleticism and child-like enthusiasm for the game, came out firing, with gun players Steff and Morgs getting crucial connections to trouble the Cobras defense.

At 4-7, a worried Wetnose called a timeout, with slow transitioning and skill errors highlighting the Cobras game.

A concise and punchy pep-talk from Abra honed the teams concentration, with Cobras coming out the stronger after the short break, putting the clamp on the Slamtown offense with a seamless man D.

When the inevitable turns came, Cobras smooth and fast-paced O took no prisoners, with slick cutting from Finn and perfect service from Abra allowing the snakes to take half 8-7. After the break it was a demolition, with Cobras new found maturity allowing the snakes to pile on the points to take it out to 14-7.

A limp charge from the Gold Coast added some respectability to the scoreline, but not enough to get above the water line of double figures, the pain ending mercifully at 15-9.

Semi-Final against Dojo

So Thursday night saw the semi-finals played in BPL. Passion up against Buggers and Cobras taking on the well rested Dojo Mojo.

The Cobras got fired up in the warm-up with heaps of energy. Unfortunately at the start of the this energy was not put into focus and the disc was thrown away 2 or 3 times right outside our defending endzone. Dojo capitalised on all of the drops and went 3-0 up on the Cobras.

Cobras called a frustrated time-out to refocus in on the game and that is just what we did. We scored the next two points in a row to make it 3-2.

Cobra's were playing predominantly man, before pulling out a cup a few points to half, which seemed to work surprisingly well against the handler heavy Dojo. My memory of the first half doesn't serve me well and seeing as I probably wouldn't get the teams right. I will just say that Dojo took half 8-6.

We were disappointed with our first half efforts but knew that there was still another half to the game. We came out of half-time with a better attitude and execution. Our offence reeled in the shots and made more completions. I love playing good D and then scoring the point, when it all just falls into place, it's nice.

Fast-forward a bit and the game was starting to get down to the pointy end. Dojo had the disc on the sideline probably in line with their own brick mark. Sean might have had the disc and Dan Walls was being guarded by Abraham. Dan cut long and Abraham chased, Sean put the disc up right down the line. Abraham had caught up and got in a good position to body him out of competition. The disc was just flying overhead and Dan, as Dan does, snatched the disc out of the air almost effortlessly. That man has got some hops.

The scores were 13-12, Cobras up, when time cap went off, which made it a game to 15. Dojo scored that point and the next one to make the score 14-13. Cobras needed to score the next two points to win.

We scored the first point since we started on O and with the game coming to universe point, we needed to get the block to win the game. We came out on that last point in our cup zone. The Dojo were very patient with the disc and worked it up the field. My lungs were burning from having to run from side to side of the field chasing those god damn hammers, that I then needed to jump up on the mark to try to stop. The cup (Abraham, Isaac and myself) were starting to disintegrate as the point ran longer and longer. Fatty's hammers just kept coming out, being nearly a foot taller than all of those in the cup, it wasn't hard for him to get them over the top.

We were right on our endzone line, feeling like that winning Dojo shot was coming any second. A hammer went from right to left across the field, the recipient was Fatty. It was just a tad too high and Finn went after it, I was a few yards away and thought it wasn't going to come off for Finn. He leaped high and fast and just flicked the disc as it was about a metre away from Fatty.

Finn then dashed for the endzone. Abra picked up the disc and started shouting to Finn to keep going. He threw his OI left flick down the sideline. Coops was chasing Finn and caught up with him, incidentally clipping Finn while trying to get the D. Finn fell and called a foul. Coops contested the foul and the disc came back to Abra. The disc came back in and Dojo formed a quick zone. We kept our cool and worked the disc up towards the endzone. The winning pass went to Finn who completed the win with double happiness.

Next week is the final of Passion and Cobras. Game on at 7:30pm, 17th June at Annerley Junior Soccer Club. There will be a BBQ and Drinks down at the fields, $1 each. These will both be fundraising for the Juniors going to Heillbronn in late July for the WUJC. Please come down and support your league and the future of Brisbane Ultimate.

Premonitions coming to Fruition

So just a full round ago I declared that the Cobra's were going on a revenge rampage. Besides our bogey team, SFC. The Cobra's have started to fill out into the inflated skin they were put in by many players at the start of the season. We have turned a lacklustre start to the season into playing good frisbee when it really counts and coming into the finals, isn't a bad thing either.

So Thursday night against Passion was a real test for the Cobra's. The first couple of points were very close with the teams trading until about 5-all at this point I thought we really had a game on our hands. Cobra's finally got a break over Passion after some hard Cobra man D caused the turn. The pull went down to Passion's end as the Cobra's eagerly chased it, only for the Trachter pull to, as always, brick. Passion set up in a horo for John to bring the disc back in. The disc was brought in and cycled around for a while when I heard an up call. I saw the disc, it must have been an outside in J-mac forehand looking for Julz in the endzone. I was on Tyson who instinctively was also running for the disc, I was a couple of metres behind him. Wetnose was right with the loping Julz all the way and bodied him out of the competition for the disc. I thought he would catch the disc as He bodied Julz out so I slowed down. Wetnose kind of fell and let the disc fall behind him only for Tyson to streak through and catch the opportunistic goal. Passion then broke the next point to be evens again at 6-all.

The next point Cobra's scored with what might have been a home-grown inside-out backhand from yours truly to a streaking Micka deep in the endzone, only to take it what seemed to be less than a metre before the line. Cobra's then took a strategic time out.

Next thing I know it may have been 7-6 Cobra's or 7-all. Trachter or Abra might have been marking Dan and the stall count was getting high, I tightened down on Gref who was acting as dump. I could see the OI forehand go up and think 'that is a fair way out into space' the disc hit the ground and rolled nicely from about halfway to 5m outside the passion endzone. Trachter picked up the disc and called a time out.

The plan was for me and first dump make an upline cut and trachter to look for the second dump. I foolishly made the cut before the disc had even been checked in. Julz now knew my plan. I didn't know whether to continue with the play or do something different, with a little bit of imagination I knew what I would do.

I could see Julz pre-empting my upline cut so when the the disc got checked in he took a couple of steps towards the front corner of the endzone. I hadn't even moved yet, so he came back a couple of steps and that is when I went. He beat me to the front corner, but didn't keep following when I went deeper into the endzone. Trachter floated one nicely around the outside of the field for me to catch it right next to the line. Cobra's took half.

The second half saw one ridiculous incident of a stall being called by a Cobra's player on Gref. the disc was sent back and it came in on 9, only for Alex Livingstone to try to cheat and move before the disc came in, a violation was called on him and it got sent back again. It got checked back in and somehow Gref called a a stall on himself? Can we get any clarification on that? Either way the disc needed to be checked in once more. It was long and tedious, but we all eventually did it and got the game going again.

Passion's newest overseas recruit Dan showed us what the fucking Squids can produce. He was making big grabs all night and got a layout D on a stray pass from me to Abra. He is a very exciting prospect for Firestorm next year, hopefully.

Fast forward. The Cobra's are up 12-10 and Passion had been mounting a bit of a comeback in previous points. The Cobra's start on defence and as the pull goes down time cap goes off. J-mac might have gotten the disc and looked up field desperately and took a shot that didn't come off. Cobra's marched the disc down the field and patiently scored in the left hand corner of the endzone, Cobra's win 13-10.

Not it is time for the Finals and Cobra's have got those katakana reading boys from the Dojo. It should be a very interesting game. Also aL's short draft league is an interesting prospect for Brisbane Ultimate. It will be very useful to be getting game time before WJUC. Hopefully it goes ahead.

Triple Threat

This blog has been void of any updates since our last game against the Buggers 2 weeks ago. Cobras got up in this game on a universe point to extend their club-record winning streak to 3.

It has been 2 weeks since the game so details aren't freely coming to mind, but the Cobras got up 3-1 early on before the Bugs had their 7th player turn up. The game then seesawed with the Cobras playing sloppy on offence, despite getting numerous blocks on defence.

The score was 8-10 at one stage and the Cobras needed a late 3 point run to win the game 11-10.

Tonight sees the Cobras up against a resurgent Passion team hungry for revenge after the Cobras started Passion's 4 game losing streak earlier this season.

If the Cobras win they are into the semi finals, if they lose then they must rely on Slamtown to beat Lovers and the net result of the Slamtown victory margin plus the Passion winning margin to be 12 or less. A Lovers-Passion double will see the season over for the Cobras. All seems a little too complicated, so just winning tonight will be the main objective and the easiest way for the Cobras to go through.

Should the Cobras go into the semi finals, they will almost certainly face up against minor premiers Dojo, who will be out to exact revenge on the Cobras team who handed them their largest loss of the season.

Back to Back

For the first time last week, in Cobra's short but highly celebrated past, we broke a club record. Finally Cobra's have strung together back to back wins. Just in time too, as we come down to the pointy end of the season, Cobra's seem to have kicked it up a notch with a comprehensive win over Dojo Mojo.

The night started off as like any other Thursday night. Cobra's rocked up and threw for a while before getting into the pre-game ritual of the highly recommended dump-swing-score. The clock struck 7:40pm on that somewhat nippy night and stand-in BPL overlord Wetnose pushed the button on the timer to begin what would be a ground breaking 90 minutes.

The entire first half was trading with a break to Cobra's. At about 3-all. The Cobra's received the pull right at their goal line. Foolishly Isaac Stone got himself up to a high stall count against the Dojo zone. He looks for his dump in me, about 4m away. In what was a very easy break mark shot, Isaac somehow shanked the short pass. It was floating halfway between me and a defender. I could see him running for it and as I got lower to try to catch it, the defender got his hand to it and smacked it down. But I was still falling towards him and he was still running towards me. I was getting lower and lower until my nose and lips copped the full brunt of his shoulder. I knew it was going to bleed so I took myself off quickly to get some tissues.

The next few points seemed to haze into one another as I was frantically trying to stop the bleeding. Taking medical tips from people who had done a first aid course... years ago, Mike Nolan (who used to be a paramedic) and of course Isaac who is an absolute amature, I eventually stuck some tissue in my left nostril and got back on the field.

It was an O point that I rejoined. I caught the pull and looked to Trachter on my left. I think my eyes were still a bit shaken up because I threw it plain away. I took myself off and played sparingly until half-time. Cobra's went into half full of energy and confidence but knowing that there was still another half of ultimate to be played, the score being 8-6.

The score traded for the first 3 points of the second half, from then on it was Cobra's all the way home. Highlights included; Finn catching a Callahan, Abra getting some sweet horizontal D's, Dan Young using his hops to get blocks and 2 filthy (not in the good way) hammers from Wetnose.

So that was the night for Cobra's we played really sweet offence most of the time and hard man D. We also dabbled back into the zone from last week, which seemed to work well, even against Dojo being so handler heavy (by that I mean old) team.

This week sees the Cobra's got head to head with Minor Premiership contenders Moreton Bay Buggers. We are hoping to revenge this team for the draw the occurred between the teams last round. This time we take them on with more bite.

Falling Behind

So I find myself with not so much time as I used to have. This is due to a couple of consecutive weekends of events, I have been busier than Wetnose in bed (is that busy or not?). But have found a spare hour or two on my lovely Sunday night to bring you all up to date on what has been happening around the swamp.

So in the week I was away at nationals. A very understrength Cobras went down to SFC 14-6. This could be expected with many of the top tier Cobra's not willing to put it on the line two days out of nationals.

The next game against Lovers, I had just returned from Nationals, feeling a little bit burnt out, but happy (Thunder placed 13th, beat seed by 3!). Many a memorable moments for me, some good, a lot bad. We traded all game with Lovers. I was in the stack with aL on guarding me. I had just started playing in my new boots, I made an out cut, planted my foot and did what felt like a sweet, sweet turn to come under. I thought to myself 'that was a sweet turn aL must be a couple of meters off now'. I looked to JJ to feed it to me, as he threw the disc I could hear panting and foot steps behind me. I knew this wasn't good. aL got a come from behind layout block on me, for that I congratulate you sir. Now that I think about it I think that is the first time that has ever happened to me. Congratulations.

Other miseries from the game include being 13-14 down just after Lovers had pulled to us. Robbie is on the sideline just outside our defending end zone. He looks to dump it to me. I have no one on me. He throws it right at me. While the disc floats through the air perfectly to me, I think about where I will throw the disc and stone cold drop the disc. Lovers then score to win. 13-15.

Now to the latest Cobra's opponent, Heroes. They had lost their self-professed MVP Jangles to a knee injury from nationals. Cobra's rocked up differently to how they did for their last engagement. We warmed up well and got some throws under the belt for what was a rather windy Brisbane night.

Cobra's started on defence and came down in a puppy-fence straight away. We luckily found the Heroes Achilles heel right off the bat. We broke for the first point of the game.

We were nearing half at about 6-1 and tried to switch our defence up, just to keep them on their toes. We came down in man. That point, we found out the age old lesson of, if it ain't broke.....

I seem to remember one point Heroes were coming downwind against our zone, they worked it well all the way to our end zone, it took about 50 passes, but it got there. Only to come undone with one stray pass. Cobra's then scored the up-winder for half. Cobras took half 8-2, with our very effective zone and some very cool offence.

The second half Cobra's came out just as, if not more focused as the first. We did what we needed to do to win the game. We got blocks and scored. That is not to say we didn't work hard for those blocks. Myall and George were working hard to get through our zone. They did very well popping and putting nice leading passes into space through the cup.

I believe we won the second half 7-0 (?), to win 15-2. This is how we wanted to play against Heroes in the first round, but were utterly disappointed. This time we came out and played some focused ultimate, working as a unit.

We are now back to full strength and we need to be for the rest of the season. In the coming weeks we have a bye, Buggers, Dojo and Passion. We need to win nearly all of these games to be in the finals. Let's get amongst it boys.

When Fisting Goes Wrong

If you have come to this website to seek help for Hemorrhoids, or you seem to have trouble holding your bowel movements inside, please read no further. Although, after this game I found it hard to keep my innards where they belong. After a two week break the Cobra's returned to the BPL like a mob flash dance, leaving everyone staring in awe.

We came up against thee Big guns of the competition, the previously undefeated, Passion. The last outing for Cobra's was a bit of a disappointment in terms of outcomes (a draw), but very successful in terms of playing as a team and getting those connections happening. This week, we improved in both departments. Our offence was smooth, flowing and smart. Our defence was not as good as it could have been, but with some lucky turns can be passed as good.

The game started just after 7:30pm. The wind was non-existent as per usual. The crowd swelled up to an all-time high of 3 spectators. The Cobras started on offence and scored. Passion scored, J-Mac starts the next point with a brick, going out the back of the endzone. The pull goes out the back of the endzone for the next two points that Passion score. I think Tyson just needed to tell John 'just relax ayy' before they started landing in.

Passion got up early by one, but the Cobra's fought back to take half 8-7. During the break, we talked about how it felt good to be up at half, but we needed to keep our heads down and keep playing the game. After some settling words from Wetnose, Abra took the floor with his always impressive g-up speeches. It certainly worked.

Cobra's started the second half on defence, straight away we broke with a deep huck from halfway of Wetnose to Jack, who made a somewhat awkward layout/fall to drag is toes for a goal. A couple of points later I was outside the scoring endzone with disc in hand looking at Dan Young on the break side, when someone calls a pick. I then get tunnel vision and see only Dan Young. I look at him and then the front corner, thinking about the scoober I will throw to him. Unbeknownst to me, some defence chump is also looking at me and my eyes. He has played with me too much and knows me too well. As soon as the disc is checked in I throw the scoober, only for him to give it a big old WHAMMY! to the ground. I could only smile.

The game was really tight up until 2 minutes to go at 11-9 Cobra's up. Wetnose frantically calls a time out to see how much time is left. The rest of the Cobra's talk about what a shit time-out it was and proceeded to take the field. We then score the next point to take the game 12-9. Passion were the undefeated team of the competition and since the first round has finished, does this mean that the Cobra's are the team to beat in the competition. Possibly a jump in power rankings?

Passion seemed to be playing with 3 players, the aforementioned, Gref and Julz. All three of these players have great throws, they just need to utilize good receivers in the team like Alex and Tyson. Although Alex is a great handler..... he should of been cutting the whole night. At one point I was guarding Julz. The disc went up for another receiver and I thought they have misread it so I stopped running and Julz gallops straight past me to clean up the sloppy seconds for an easy and very embarrassing point. He didn't even sky me. Even with half my height in vertical jump, he could still sky me. To say the least Passion did not have their best game of the season.

Big Props to Finn for a sweet cross-field inside-out backhand for a goal, Wetnose for some sick D and huge grabs. Isaac had a really sweet dishy pass to Abra for the score. All up Cobra's started to play more as star team rather than a team of stars. The Cobra's are just warming up for their Revenge Rampage, although we might not even have a team next week due to Nationals committments.

Also during the Bye for Cobras, A Juniors training camp was held in Geelong. During the camp both of the Stone's found out that they were in the in team and are both going to be over in Germany with me in July/August. Congratulations Boys.

Let the Cobra Revenge Rampage Begin.

Apologies & Finding Form

First and foremost let me apologise for the coverage (or lack thereof) of last weeks loss to the tall bamboo of Dojo Mojo. Game highlights can be seen here. Although to call them highlights is very Grechian. I seem to recall a Callahan by a certain loudmouth cobra that somehow did not make it onto the post. The tapes have been hidden way down in the archives of the Dojo Tea Room, never to be seen again.

All in all it was a somewhat disappointing game for the Cobra's. Many passes were not completed and we just did not have the height to contend with many long shots going to Pistol Pete Allen and Fatty. Dojo Mojo defeated Cobras 14-7.

Which brings us the struggle that unfolded tonight against the Moreton Bay Buggers (MBB). The Cobras came out this week with something to prove, penned by many to be good only on paper, the Cobra's are on their way to proving these knockers wrong.

The game started soon after Abra, Trachter and Mike Nolan all turned up late. The first point the Cobra's coaxed the Buggers into a false sense of security with a drop close to the line for an easy score. Buggers up 1-0.

The game had a couple of breaks from each side, until Buggers scored to make the score 7-all. Buggers time-out was called as they plotted to take half. The Cobra's went into this point with a cool head and chilly O. The Buggers came out with their usual transition zone. Cobra's handled this very well all night. After the zone had dissipated we quickly got into our efficient vert stack and marched it down field for the score to take half 8-7.

During half Abra spoke about not getting caught up in the emotion of taking half and losing focus. Our Puppy-Fence was forcing many turns from the Buggers offence all night, forcing them to throw a lot of hammers. And also switching it up intermittently to man just to throw them off. Our man-d was a lot better tonight also. Special mention to soon to be husband, Mr Wetnose for disrupting many of the deep shots, that Mike usually scoops up with ease.

Cobras got a break on the Buggers' leaving the scores at 10-8. The Buggers then scored, leaving the scores at 10-9. Cobras started out on O, we worked it up to about half, when there was a drop. We quickly scrambled to man. The Buggers worked it up close to their attacking end zone. They waited until there was a clear shot down the middle of the stack and took the shot. Unbeknownst to many on the field, time cap had gone off during the point. Finishing the game at 10-all (may have been 11?). Although it is disappointing to see a game end in a draw, it reflected the game very well, two teams, both with different strengths battling it out. It was a very enjoyable game.

The Cobra's players have gelled well over the last couple of weeks, there is still a bit of straightening out to do, but the mid-season come-back is on the cards. We have a bye next week, you may see some dedicated players down there training. Wetnose will be skipping it due to his wedding being that weekend (yet he has been using for the last 2 weeks). And Myself Isaac and Abraham will be down at the Aussie Thunder (yes, that's right) training camp. Which leaves only top of the table, Passion for the remaining round, before we begin our revenge rampage.