OUR STATE.. OUR DERBY!!

Tonight, May 16, Phoenix is going to get their final dose of Arizona Roller Derby for the 2008-2009 season. This season, the league managed to get 5 of their 6 games in. Their sixth game scheduled in April was canceled due to facility damage. AZRD has decided to take all of the teams and give them all an equal chance to pick up the championship. This includes the Surly Gurlies who were originally knocked out of post season contention.

With the attrition, roster changes and new skaters who have joined the ranks of AZRD during this season, many of the teams do not reflect their original rosters at the beginning of the season.

The rules of the Battle Royale are very simple. There will be six 20 minute mini-bouts in a round robin format. Each team will play 3 times. The team with the most wins at the end of three games will win the championship. There are ways to settle ties (which we talked about in a previous blog). Also a very important stipulation here, there will be NO substitutions. Each team is on their own.

All of the teams seem to be fairly equally footed for this bout. I am most concerned about the Bruisers in this bout as they have had multiple losses throughout this season.

Based on the performance of the team’s skaters both on their home teams as well as on the travel teams, I will go out on a limb with some final AZRD predictions for the season.

Bruisers vs. Surly Gurlies - The Bruisers are going in with a very short roster. The Surlys on the other hand have some of the best jammers, when they have been playing on teams other than the Surlys. With Gratuitous Violet, Diana Sauras Wrexx and Rayna Rage on the Surlys, I will give this as an easy win to the Surlys. SURLYS BY 10-15.

Bad News Beaters vs. Brawlarinas - The Beaters will see the return of Deez Nutz for this bout. The ballgirls have a nice consistent roster, which has allowed them to win games (except for the Beater/Brawla bout where Diana Sauras Wrexx subbed). Brawlies have the Bone Settter. Even though she’s not in the regular rotation as a jammer, when she comes to the line, Bones definitely pays dividends. All it takes is one good Bone jam. BRAWLIES BY 5-10.

Bruisers vs. Beaters - Bouts like this gives us memories of the historic Bruiser/Beater match-ups of years gone by.  While previous Bruiser rosters have given us some memorable moments at AZRD, I think it’s time for the Beaters to shine. BEATERS BY 20-25.

Surlys vs. Brawlas - The Brawlas have a good blocking department but their jamming has always needed some outside help. We’ll just have to see how good they do from the inside, especially against the Surly jammers. SURLYS BY 10-15.

Bruisers vs. Brawlas - No Shirley Demise but yes, Hacker! - BRAWLAS BY 5-10.

and finally Beaters vs. Surlys - This will probably be the most exciting game from a roster perspective. Both of these teams are pretty evenly matched but I think the Surlys have an upper hand on the point scoring. They have a pretty good blocking force. It’s too bad they went 0-3 in the season. SURLYS BY 5-10.

So based on our game by game predictions, I feel that the Surly Gurlies will walk away with the Battle Royale and the AZRD 2008-2009 title followed by the Brawlarinas, Beaters and Bruisers.

This will take place May 16, 2009 at the Castle Sports Club, 11420 N 19th Avenue, Phoenix. Doors open at 7:00PM, the bout starts at 7:30PM. Admission $12 at the door. This is the last AZRD roller derby until August. Please come out and support your local roller derby!