With Victoria's first AINC Qualifier only a couple of days away and Team Immunity out of the picture, Melbourne is set for another day of close matches. These predictions are based on my own opinon. Lets start!

Top contenders:
GUTS / nameless / sublimePC

GUTS: Guts have been playing together for quite a while now and shouldn't place anywhere but first. With four experienced players and a new international superstar, Preben "oops" Josdal, it's hard to predict them anywhere but number one. IMO, it will be interesting to see where Guts would place without oops.

Player to watch: Oops

nameless: A casual team made up from long time friends, and with kram returning with no doubt a bucket load of confidence from KODE5 Global Finals and ESWC Masters, it's inevitable that this team reaches the AINC Finals in July. With players from the former Immunity and the addition of old schooler sai + IPGN Helper extrordinaire, nameci, they will be relying on their aim, and game sense to get them a respectable finish.

Player to watch: kram/sai

sublimePC: These guys confuse me at times with their players jumping from team to team, but obviously they just want to find the right mix of players. Last time I saw a lineup similar to sublime, it was aShock that finished fourth at WCG. Now with the same lineup, minus devour and adding redrum_hk from VHM, they will be looking to repeat that WCG performance. I saw them demolishing VHM at MC Internet the other week and were pretty fired up. Good luck boys

Player to watch: Rickeh

Breaking away:
VHM / TF8 / SC / ST / SYL

VHM: The token Asian team of Melbourne. VHM have visibly progressed as a team because they stick to the winning formula: by not changing the formula. They practice hard and are trying to make a name for themselves at the top end of the Counter-Strike community. As a symbol of their dedication and commitment, team captain Tran (Evo) even asked IPGN op's to BAN their entire team so certain members would get out of the habit of baiting one another. Hopefuly we see them qualify for the AINC nationals as they are definitely an interesting team to watch.

Player to watch: NRD

TF8: Coming into this event with big lineup changes, the only question in my mind is whether they'll last till the next round of qualifiers. I think it's a given that their chances of actually capturing an invite are slim, and the sole purpose of attending the event is to drum up more practice as a team and test the waters / seeing where they're at. They will need all the luck in the world with jnsie deviating from the strats :)

Player to watch: Jastone/HellRaiser

.SC: Scotch College buddies that are keen for scrims and will try to make the most out of all the competitions they enter. They have the potential to upset some teams but might be upset themselves during the process. At the last competition they attended, they won the Wooden Spoon award - a mock award that is given to teams finishing in the last position.

Player to watch: coop/jt

therealsmashT: The team [st] only really attend comps for fun & hopefully trying to get a decent placing. They are all friends and are always willing to give it their best shot to cause a stir in the competition. Overall they are trying their best to get out of being labled as amateurs and into the top end of the Counter-Strike scene. They have been together for quite a while longer than most but lack LAN experience.

Player to watch: damien/blood

symplex: One of the few new teams Melbourne has produced (that look like it may last). You can often see Symplex practicing online and putting up some decent results. It will be interesting to see what these guys can do. 

Player to watch: coMA

Back for more:
NJ / Better-in-2005

NoJustice: This name brings me back to 06/07 when NJ were considered an up-and-coming team, but it was never to be when they all dissappeared, but now they're BACK. Even though they are all badly burnt, you would never know what they are capable of. I think they have been secretly hiding their aim for this competition to finish in a high position but overall beedee/tnyvo/spec will do something large and win some matches!

Player to watch: beedee

Better-in-2005: Ok, Ok with rumeboy, albz, dvs, escuro, winnii I seriously dont know what to say, these guys were good in 2005/06, but now they play too much iPGN. TBH I might think that they will beat NoJustice and also beat some other teams. If winnii/rumeboy had there aim & fireup they will go somewhere, but if not, there goes your chance boys. Good Luck

Player to watch: rumeboy

Keenmarines:
MadKents

MadKents: These guys have to be the MOST KEEN PLAYERS IN MELBOURNE. A mix team just playing to fill spots and scout for better team opportunities. I wonder who will win if they vs fM? Haha nah i jokes, hopefuly these guys can get some kind decent placing above fM but, if not better luck next time. Keep it up Keenmarines Good luck!

Online presence:
LASTREVENGE / FunkyMonkeys

LastRevenge: Considered to be a Chinese team more than an Asian team (because we have VHM already), LASTREVENGE possess incredible aim.. online. But they are starting to make appearances to these LAN events which will start putting these suspicions to rest.

Player to watch:  All of them?

FunkyMonkeys: Best known for their online abilities, fM will be making their debut appearance at LAN this Sunday. They receive their fair share of banter, especially tricK. I hope these guys do well and come back for the second qualifier :). Good Luck #fM Yerp

Player to watch: trick (imo his gonna roll some heads)

Thanks to all teams Competing & Let's Have a Fun Day!