After a week full of hype and banter, this weekends initial AINC qualifier was a fantastic result to a tumultuous week. My day began with the drive to the now benchmark Melbourne LAN cafe, Midcity, with my car buddy Wade 'Gamlin'. We discussed many things during our travels: would LastRevenge live up to peoples expectations? And how about Sublime - a lot of eyes would be on them. And, ofcourse, would GUTS retain their position atop the ceremonial plinth? Our ponderings were soon answered, as a cracking pace was set early in the day - one which continued throughout. It soon became obvious the order of the day: close, exciting Counter-Strike. Infact, 13 of yesterdays 25 games (not including bye's), were 16-10 or closer, with four 16-14 scorelines and three overtimes. As such, let us launch in to the good, the bad, and the surprises of yet another smashing competition at Midcity.

The Good

- fM, 2005 and Symplex. Two of them are comparitively new to the LAN scene, one full of toasties who's name suggests they were indeed better in 2005. fM surprised everyone - they carried the mountainous tag of onliners, and without thought to process or initiation, shrugged it off on their way to a stellar 7/8th. Symplex, although finishing the day rock bottom of the ladder, lost extremely closesy to two of the teams that progressed to the latter stages of the bracket. They showed skill and confidence despite their losses, and should now be toted as a team to reckon with, rather than an easybeat. Likewise, with such a huge talent pool at this qualifier vying for the single invite of the day, 2005 came from nowhere to dominate virtually every team, beating them in to submission and securing 3rd place. Why, you ask, were yesterdays teams vying for just a lone invite? Well, the answer is....

- GUTS. They are now reminiscent of the old StensGaming. This is a massive call to make - and it's a call not neccessarily made on account of their skill, despite the fact they are incredibly good, both individually and as a conglomerate. It's more an analogy of the gap now residing between GUTS and the rest of Melbourne, something unseen since the days of StensGaming and their closest rivals, Snatch. They've seemingly pulled away even further - if that's possible - from the rest of the field, not even coming close to dropping a map all day. And with their practise schedule now picking up, thanks to Preben 'OOPS' Josdal obtaining a PC at home, allowing more than 1 solitairy night of practise a week, i'll reiterate what i've said in previous write-ups: serious contenders at AINC nationals be weary. Melbourne oldschoolers have long underestimated this powerhouse, but they no longer do. I can only hope the rest of Australia is similarily aware.

- Lastly, the biggest of thank you's to Midcity and its admins. It's clear Midcity is fast becoming the home of Melbourne gaming - and for good reason. Despite the smallest of issues, such as the scrim chambers being rather warm, any qualms are quashed by what a resounding success any competition held their is. Likewise, huge thanks to Michael 'vex' and our own George 'beedee', for running the day and continued support of Aussie 1.6.

The Bad

- As most can probably guess, and see coming, the unfortunate under-performers for the day, Sublime and VHM. To put it brazenly, they place 5/6th and 7/8th respectively - placings many teams would long to obtain. However, we've come to expect so much from them: VHM, the perennial performers, never being upset and placing consistently, and Sublime, the monster fragger, capable of upsetting more fancied teams but somewhat inconsistent. We can only hope they bounce back at qualifier #2, bringing their A game with them, as it wouldn't be a nationals without some teddyt banter and v-spec profanity. On a side note, VHM's self-imposed ban from iPGN-comp does not seem to be working. Perhaps reverting back to 10 games of iPGN a day will halt VHM's slump.

- Honestly, it seems unbalanced not to have atleast two mentions in this section, but as much as I probe and pry to find a suitable candidate, there's nothing. Everyone had fun, the competition ran exceedingly smoothly and Midcity was as good as ever. Probably the only other negative was that it was running a bit late, but in the end, with so many PC's on hand, we finished at a reasonable time anyway.

The Scary

- Midcity was in a state of panic early yesterday, when intelligence agencies contacted Midcity with reports of a suspicious individual hovering around the premises, and warned of an imminent terrorist attack. However, when the suspect turned out to be none other than Dave sporting the manliest of manbeards, we called back to let them know of the mistake. After vomiting.

- Mysee of LastRevenge still looks like a vampire (sorry for writing this, please don't eat me).

The Surprise Packets

- While one of these teams is already mentioned, surprises of the day go to NJ and 2005. Both seeded around 8th or 9th, they came home strongly, placing 4th and 3rd respectively. Let's hope they stick around, as we hope to see them in future competitions. Also, Hadsi versus VHM in B on de_dust2 was the funniest thing i've ever seen.

- Fakeh. As much as it infuriates me to contradict my own beliefs of him and his onliner nature, he dropped bombs in both his games. A legitmate contender on the local.

Stay tuned to Dicevip, as the AINC train continues rolling!