As Season 2 approaches after the end of an arduous Pre-Season, we are left with a mouthwatering idea at what Seasonal Rugby may be like for it's second year. First up, there's the lack of the Chiefs. A side mainly compromised of Kiwi members didn't really challenge in Season 1, but was promised to be replaced by the Gambler-esque Hurricanes, run by SR owner Ed Ames. Their lineup was incredible; with figures such as Ames, Gazza, Damo and Fungus all lining up in the backline, and Gemmell, Wilkinson, Read and Denton in the forwards, it was already assumed that the 'Canes would win Season 2. Enter drama. For the good of Seasonal Rugby, Eds decided that if a reserve grade was to be implemented then only 4 teams should be in the competition, and so the Hurricanes were dismantled before they were even used. This meant that there were plenty of superstar free agents about and the four clubs that remained going hell for leather to sign them up. It seemed at this point that, again, a team was champions before the competition had begun. The Vikings assembled an excellent squad (Humble, Damo and Benny all signed on) and only a few players remained on the market, most notably iconic centre Gary Weaver. Denton remained on the market, and it was guessed that they were both headed to the Giants, although Denton made the decision to join the Spartans instead. The Spartans, with HeathDavisSpeed and Denton in the Second Row, looked to have the best pack around. Laing, Deane and Chung make an awesome backrow, whilst EI Morris is definately an improver in the front row. Blunder is everstrong at Fullback, and it appears that Luffman has bought some new Adidas Predators in the offseason (used by Wilko, Carter and the rest) which apparently allowed him to kick the ball through the posts. Yes people, he's learnt how to kick :ninja: Back to the serious. The Spartans looked sweet, especially with Cribb coming in at ScrumHalf, but the Vikings looked almost orgasmic. With Vago and Damo in the Centres, Bender on a Wing, Incey at Fullback and OldMate at Scrum Half, they just needed Weaver to create the most god-like backline ever. And the Cheetahs. Keeping hold of key players (only the loss of Sam Green to the Giants) to create a core of good lads, they looked to improve on Season 1's performance. However, with this news that he'd lost out on Denton, President Golding set out to capture Weaver. After a chat a huge $100k contract was signed and Weaver was presented to the fans. Later that day Golding discovered that Fly Half Ed Ames had signed a contract with the Spartans instead of staying put, but he didn't seem too phased as he quickly signed high flying youngster Matt Scoble onto the books at the Giants. "Of course Eds is a massive loss. He was a great bloke to have on board and a quality player but I can see why he went to the Spartans; I admire what Marcuss has done there and I would definately not hold it against Eds to go to his club if it has to be another than the Giants." "However, NK is definately promising. His performances in preseason have shown he's a great kicker and now I want to see if he can run the backs; we have firepower in the backs this season and it's essential we get the ball rolling with them." "Gazza was, as many have said, the most important signing in SR. Had he gone to the Vikings, they'd be shoe-ins for the title, and with Eds gone we'd be looking at a 2nd place finish best. As it is, we got a top bloke on board who can perform on the field. If I am paired with Gaz then I have no doubt that we'll be the strongest Centre pairing in the comp." Golding also managed to retain Dion Alessi and Kelvin Fung with the folding of the Hurricanes, as well as now captain Brett Gemmell. He also signed on Bots, Sam Green and Luke Pilgrim. "He may be a bellend (Gemmell) but he's improved heaps in preseason and I expect him to shine in Season 2. Dion was showing top signs at the end of Season 1 and Kelvin is the best fullback bar Blunder in the competition, and I expect him to have a top season too. Sam is a top lad and I expect him to improve with the Giants, likewise with Bots. Luke has been great at the Duckies in Pre-Season and there is still the possibility that I may pair up with him again at some stage in the Half Backs, but I think he's a really promising guy who could lead us to win the title again." Also worth noting is Golding's clever signings of KP Glensor (Pantherus) and OJ Carson (Pez) as Props, not to mention the forgotten signature of SM Morgan (Skippos) months back. "People have forgotten about Skips but he's well in our plans. Glensor has looked promising in Pre-Season and hopefully Pez will also step up to the plate. If they can help build a strong front row with Flack then I don't see why we can't really push this season for the crown again." We get Golding's thoughts there on his own team, but what about the rest of the lads? Before he got into his nice new Merc, Gary Weaver, the star centre, pulled his boots off (being careful not to get any mud in the car) and chatted to us. Who do you think will win the competition? Giants Based on last season it is hard to look past the Giants but with off season signings and goings I think it will be an open race to the title. One that I am looing forward to participate in. Who do you think is the best addition to the Giants camp? Well Gemmell is a great addition to the team with his involvement in SR, whether it be good or bad This season will prove to the critics out there that Gemmell is a star player. Who was the best signing by any club in the competition? Well personally I think it was the Spartans signing of E Ames. He brings a lot to the game with his kicking and playmaking abilities. He was a huge loss for the Giants and a great addition to the Spartans. Definitely makes this competition wide open. We also got in touch with Zakaron's thoughts. Who's the player you think will shine in S2 (out of all teams)? Very hard to pick for the new season as there is a few players who have trained well in the off season. Gemmell could be one mind you it could be steroids no one can get muscles that big in so little time. Cribb is another one signing into a new team with star kicker Ames but who can say only the final whistle will tell who is the best of the best. Who do you think will win the competition ? This is a hard one as two teams have done well in the off season with good signing's. I'd say it will be a Giants and Spartians Grand Final for sure. Who was the best signing by any club in the competition ? It would have to be E Ames for the spartians one hell of a kicker who will be surely missed but the giants have a great plain for that. What are your hopes for the season ? To be the best flanker for the Giants winning the ball around the ruck/maul and just maybe score a try. Playing For GB along side another great flanker C Laing and winning Seasonal Rugby for the second time for the club as we have a great team this season. What are your hopes for the season Personally, I hope to get in the top 3 tryscorers this season and live up to the hopes of the Giants players and fans. Also, I hope to help the Giants make it into the finals and defend the crown. And we also spoke to the massively underrated AJ Son. Who's the player you think will shine in S2 (out of all teams)? I think Golding will step up a whole heap in S2. He played well below his potential in S1 and will really want to step up and lead his club well in S2. He dominated at 10 recently and will have confidence and form heading into the real stuff, but it'll be interesting to see where he plays with NK also looking good in Pre-Season. Who do you think will win the competition? The Giants of course! We've only added to the power that is our backline. We've also added a few stable and solid forwards and we should be a force to be reckoned with. Who do you think is the best addition to the Giants camp? Gazza. Gun player, knows his stuff. Will be awesome both on and off the field. Already had some great chats over beers; I must say that these Kiwis don't half drink, there was **** all left in the bar after he'd been in there! Who was the best signing by any club in the competition? Again Gazza. Huge signing. One of the best backs in the game. Not only will be a huge presence on the pitch, but through the club. What are your hopes for the season? Personally I'm looking to securing a spot in the starting team, either on a wing or perhaps at fullback. Fung really has me covered there at the moment, but I think if I really put in a huge preseason I can catch him. That being said a secure spot on a wing would be just as good, especially with Alessi and Green, not to mention Bots, all around and looking to start somewhere. For the team I'm looking toward our second championship in a row. I think it's really doable and it'd be fantastic. I think it's safe to assume that the competition is wide open to any team that takes a chance. With many big moves, it'll be interesting to see how teams shape up and how Season 2 goes. Catch us next time to see what the thoughts are as we get into Season 2 of SR.
Lol. Good read. Massively overrating Giants. A sound 3rd place is available to them however. Also Graham>Fung.
I'll be honest I was too tired to read it properly but skimmed over and it looked good. Was so obvious you know how good the Spartans are though.
