WA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS TOURNAMENT WRAP...with the Gator

The Gator has been a busy character of late. From buck’s day boat cruises where debauchery was rife, to weddings where the Gator displayed cutting edge dance moves, he was turning heads for all the right reasons. And while they were incredibly fun and impressive outings, the Gator was also on hand to report on another impressive outing -WA Volleyball’s 'mecca' of tournaments - the annual State Champs.

Held the first weekend in March, the scene was set at a familiar place, and one close to the Gator- the majesty of Cottesloe beach. Many an afternoon were spent many moons ago, when grandpa Gator would come down and pepper with a then young Gator, turning the young whizz into a dominator of the Peruvian and Argentine circuits... Ah, the memories… But I digress…

With the battlezone set, matches and grades were taking place left, right and centre. AAA level was looking solid, particularly one pool, which was so strong, that the winners of the previous tourney, Casey 'Superman' Grice, and Mark 'The Phenom' Heron, were seeded fourth in their pool... Not that that would worry them, but more on that later... Looking super impressive from the get go, and travelling from Manly just for this event, were Aaron 'Styles' Crook, and one of the Gators favorite sons, the king of the Hermosa Beach cowbell and breakfast burritos himself - Adrian 'AJ' Lee. Other notables were the aforementioned Casey and Mark, who were playing so out of their brains, it was ridiculous. These two super athletes have played irresistible ball all season, and have fast become one of the Gator’s favorite teams to watch with their never say die defense. With a young Casey only 17 years of age, and also gunning for Olympic swimming tryouts, the Gator believes he could indeed be the athletic version of the son of Jor-El himself – that’s right folks - Superman.

Other games were highly competitive around the traps also. Sean 'I cant believe you broke my glasses' Yates, and Mike 'Pickle' Oostryck, had some great form and plays, as did Jonothan 'Milko' Hague, and Rob 'Spare Parts Man' Gibbs. It wasn’t quite enough to sneak them into the finals, but Yates was once again an innovator in the fashion stakes with some red gradient shades that I’m sure have been in a Billy Ocean film clip. The other side of the draw had the ever consistent Tim 'Wild' Oats (performing to perfection his signature cuttie, the 'rolled oats' on several occasions) and partner Roo 'Leaping Lionel' Turner topping the pool with another excellent display, while Simon 'Mantis' Prindiville and Matty 'Maverick' Hodges were solid once again. After the dust had settled in the semis however, our final was battled out between the solid Crooksy and AJ, and the Son of Jor-El and the Phenom, Mark Heron. And boy, were we in for a treat- What a final it was! It was akin to a battle scene in Christopher Lambert’s 'Highlander' - except kinda different, because it wasn’t exactly to the death. After all, in the movie, it was for infinite immortality, this was simply a volleyball final. So again, I digress…

We as spectators should be thankful. This was a first class final spanning three tough sets; AJ and Crooksy took the early lead, with AJ getting served a fair amount of ball, and being incredibly impressive. I personally would’ve mixed it up at that stage, as AJ was as solid as a rock - and causing grief, as his stinging sideout plays led his team to a first set victory. The second was a different story - the boys from Kalgoorlie mixed it up, then played some of the most insane defense with the young Son of Jor-El tagging the line under pressure to etch out a well deserved second set win. Whether it was their gutsy style of play, underdog status, their postcode or their X-factor, the Kal boys certainly had a lot of crowd support. The third was an early tussle, until one man - a one A. Crook - decided it was time to stop shooting and hit some balls. Three times Crooksy got served in that final set, to unleash a couple of absolute nail-bomb hits that were irretrievable. With his big hitting, and AJ being so solid and consistent all game, it was enough to take them to the winners gold - but congratulations to the Kal boys who simply played out of their skins all weekend.

As well as our AAA mens, there were some great results in other divisions. AAA female player Talei 'Fijian Princess' Wendt, was one of the first ladies the Gator sighted, and through intelligence, it was believed she had said how 'in form' the New South Wales girls were. These NSW girls being referred to were National tour players Nat Frostick and Eliza Dean - over to inject our state champs with some stiff competition. And that they did. Taking on the ever reliable Tara Banks and Nikki Fake, Nat and Eliza proved just a little too solid. But our WA girls should hold their heads high - a super competitive final against a national level team.

AA mens saw some good early play from youngsters Michael 'Ruggers' Ruggeiro and Brett Lewington, and it really impressed the Gator how many young teams are playing great volleyball. It’s the future of our sport, and it’s great to see. Paul 'Burmese Curtain' Hickey was blocking big, and once again pulled out his trademark soccer skills foot dig (he does at least one per tourney – I’ll put money on it..) but he and partner Jeremy 'Jezza' Marriott, couldn’t quite bring their consistent form to this tourney. Cameron 'Mo' Gilhome and Yuta Echigo were causing some problems, as were Jonny 'Unit' Vanderbroeck and partner Wazza 'I’m so laidback, I’m asleep' Timms. The Gator knows that Jonny plays his best ball when his mum (Van-der-mama) is down the beach shouting herself hoarse for young Jonny. Not sure whether she made it down for state champs.

In the end though, our coliseum-like court was filled with the last two warrior teams left standing - Jordan 'Flicker' Linton and partner Jesse McCartney...oops, I mean Rhys Hyatt, and the big hitting Scotty 'Hops' Biffen, and Ben McRobb. Great final, but unfortunately Rhys (or Jesse if you will) couldn’t lift his 'beautiful soul' to get he and Flicker Linton the win. Scotty and Ben were the victors on this day, and well deserved victors at that. 

PLAY OF THE TOURNEY

Over the course of the weekend, the Gator saw many plays that he enjoyed. Many were due to the gut-busting defense of Mark Heron and Casey Grice, and another good play was from eventual A grade champion Mark 'Hollywood' McDowell, who had actually decided to wear a slightly longer pair of boardies than the train wrecks that he wore in round one. But in the Gator’s mind, he saw one particular thing that stood out, and it goes to up and coming AAA youngster Michael 'Snarty' Snart. Now the Gator is a huge wrap for young Snarty. And the Gator knows the young whipper snapper can hit. Hard. The Gator’s seen the man break opponent’s fingers. But get this for a hit. In one pool match where he and partner Jason 'Foxxy' Fox were taking on Con ‘Costa’ Kastanis, and Daniel 'Sparky' McGuinness, Mr. Finger Breaker Snart has unleashed the mother of all bombs. It deflected off Con’s arm and chin, hit the sand, bounced up, then hit Sparky in the face, knocking off his glasses! Two six packs with one hit - is that a first? So while my good friends Con and Sparky were understandably none too impressed, I've no choice but to grant the Snart-Bomb our play of the tourney for his twin six-pack!

TOURNEY MVP

Here is simply the Gator’s pick for most valuable player for this tourney. Many may have their own ideas, and if anyone was to pick 'The Phenom' or 'Son Of Jor-El', you won’t hear too many arguments. But for sheer consistency, solidness, and extreme sideout play, receiving most of his teams serves, and leading his team to the gold, the Gator can’t go past one man. He’s the Lovable Larrakin; the man who had to hide from old school AVP legend (but interestingly rather obscure these days) Scott Ayakatubby on the beaches of Hermosa; and the one guy the Gator would put money on to sell an igloo to an eskimo. And did i mention he’s a heck of a beach volley player? Gators MVP of the tourney, goes to ....AJ Lee!

GOOSE OF THE TOURNEY

Ahh, the Gator knows about shenanigans. He’s been in trouble before. And before you start pointing fingers, let me reiterate - that old bag was stronger than she looked alright... But while the Gator is no stranger to controversy, and celebrity status, he still enjoys seeing others in the limelight at times, if for nothing more than to catch his breath. So, for goose of the tourney, this week it goes to a personal favorite young friend of the Gators - Jordan 'Flicker' Linton. Desperate in his quest for a particular ball in a particular rally, Jordy has done some good work. Or so he thought. With the ref calling the young Burmese Panther for a net touch, he has sprayed the ref with a fire-tongue of expletives before receiving a card and losing a point. Now, the Gator by no means condones ref lashings, but the more amusing part of the story was after the game. The youngster was heard saying – I’m a goose. You can’t be doing that to refs. That Gator character should put me in his column as goose of the week. So my friends, the combination of knowing he was a naughty young firebrand, and the fact that he suggested himself to be displayed as this week’s 'Goose' is good enough for the Gator. Plus, the Gator realises how quickly his column is growing in stature and how everyone wants to be a part of it. So Jordy - here you are with this column’s Goose of the tourney - Gator loves ya, but hold that tongue will ya. Ah, crazy kids and their crazy kidness…

FINAL THOUGHTS

Well, this tourney marks the end of our 2007/2008 season. The Gator has been impressed all round, by play at all levels. It might even make him want to pull on the old school Peruvian Tour trunks for a showcasing of his skills next year. Its been a year filled with lots of different trial formats - some good, some not so good (for the record, Gator likes either untimed pool or double elim formats), but good to see event organisers trying to iron out the wrinkles and make the best possible events available. There’s been victory, nailbiting finishes and a little bit of hi-jinks along the way (wow, that reads like a movie review of James Bond's Octopussy). So congrats to everyone involved along the way. And the Gator wants to send out a special thanks - to you. That’s right, all you players, at every level. To be honest, it seems like sometimes the players get forgotten in it all - well, not from the Gator. The Gator realises that without all you fantastically passionate beach volleyball players, this, and subsequently, other tours, wouldn’t exist. So give yourselves a pat on the back. A shandy even. And thank you for helping make this tour what it is. That’s what the Gator writes his column for - to give back to the players. And because he’s a bigger celebrity than Eric Estrada, but that’s neither here nor there. And don’t worry your fine little cotton socks people - the Gator isn’t going anywhere. Will The Gator go National? Global even? The possibilities are endless. As grandpa Gator used to say 'No matter where life takes you, all you need are the three essentials - Scented Candles, Massage Oil...and Barry White'. Grandpa Gator was a pioneer.

Till the next time amigos. Gator’s off for a well deserved Margarita on the beach. Adios,

Gator out!