Well, we've all finally made it. 24 Have been whittled down to 8 on this, the second day of play at the Adelaide $10K 2006. And what an eclectic Top 8 we have!
Favorites such as Dave Redfern — who narrowly missed out in 10th place — Shaun Hayward and Luke Bartter have fallen in the wake of newcomers, including Canberra's Michael Pittman (going in at 2nd place), and Adelaide's hometown hero, Jason Zhe (going in at 6th place).
Unsurprisingly, we see Alex "The Boy Wonder" Antonios sailing in with ease in 1st place after 10 rounds, with only one loss, recorded yesterday. He's been on a winning streak lately in his local events (as well as the Brisbane $10K 6 weeks ago!), and he goes into the Top 8 with a very good chance at taking the tournament.
Scott Hunstad is another familiar face. Always placing highly in every major event he enters, we see Scott ranked in the top half of this event at 3rd place. Highly regarded as one of the best drafters in Australia — nay, the world — it's unlikely he'll be bowing out early. However, he has to make it through three match-ups in a very tough field, and anything could happen!
We also see James Kong, and Anthony Macali who placed 5th and 8th place respectively, and the ever-consistent Kakarot Turker coming in at 7th. All in all, we have a pool jam-packed with potential and experience, with a few underdogs thrown in for good measure, whom we would be naive to discount considering their performances!
So who are these guys anyway? What makes them tick? We caught up with the guys before the Top 8 Draft to hear about their successes, strategy, and swarthiness.
Paul Van Der Werk
Achievements:
4x $10k Top 8s, one wearing an X-Men costume.
How often do you draft at the moment?
Twice a week.
What was the most successful team, and card for you this weekend?
Villains United and Sinestro, Villain Reborn.
How do you find Crisis as a draft set overall?
Up and down. I thought I understood it, but I've had a bad run of late.
What card do you most want to open in the finals?
The Calculator, Evil Oracle
If you were stuck on a desert island, (with Parker Posey and Kevin Spacey in tow), which Vs. System expansion would you want with you?
The X-Men
Scott Hunstad
Achievements:
PC Amsterdam Top 4; 4x $10k Top 8s
How often do you draft at the moment?
1-3 times a week.
What was the most successful team, and card for you this weekend?
Villlains United. As for the card, Rex Tyler ◊ Hourman
How do you find Crisis as a draft set overall?
Fairly strong, but with random results at times.
What card do you most want to open in the finals?
The Science Spire
If you were stuck on a desert island, which Vs. System expansion would you want with you?
The Avengers
Alex Antonios
Achievements:
Winner, $10k Brisbane; Top 8, Sydney $10k.
How often do you draft at the moment?
1-2 times a week
What was the most successful team, and card for you this weekend?
Shadowpact and The Phantom Stranger, Fallen Angel
How do you find Crisis as a draft set overall?
I find it to be a very balanced draft set.
What card do you most want to open in the finals?
Enemy of My Enemy — Heh.
If you were stuck on a desert island, which Vs. System expansion would you want with you?
Whatever draft set the local natives will pay the most for.
Michael Pittman
Achievements:
None — as a Pro Tournament Organizer, I usually run the events!
How often do you draft at the moment?
It’s a small community in Canberra so about once a fortnight.
What was the most successful team, and card for you this weekend?
Villains United and The Calculator, Evil Oracle.
How do you find Crisis as a draft set overall?
Very enjoyabale and skill testing. I hate Shadowpact and sometimes there are too many teams (eg randoms like Crisis)
What card do you most want to open in the finals?
Fatality, Flawless Victory — She’s a first pick, first pack.
If you were stuck on a desert island, (with Parker Posey and Kevin Spacey in tow), which Vs. System expansion would you want with you?
The Avengers
Jason Zhe
Achievements:
5th at Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Nationals and today I've made Top 8 at my first $10k!
How often do you draft at the moment?
3 times a month. I only started drafting 2 weeks after the last Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Nationals.
What was the most successful team, and card for you this weekend?
Checkmate and Sasha Bordeaux, Autonomous Prototype
How do you find Crisis as a draft set overall?
It’s really draftable. There are many different builds and it’s easy to team-up.
What card do you most want to open in the finals?
All bad cards (so I can pass them) and JSA Headquarters.
If you were stuck on a desert island, which Vs. System expansion would you want with you?
The X-Men, so I can get as many copies as possible of Enemy and Teamwork.
Kakarot Turker
Achievements:
3x $10k Top 8s
How often do you draft at the moment?
1-3 times a week
What was the most successful team, and card for you this weekend?
Checkmate and Katar Hol ◊ Hawkman, Eternal Hero
How do you find Crisis as a draft set overall?
I think it’s stable and deep.
What card do you most want to open in the finals?
Dr. Fate's Tower and then all rubbish cards that I can pass.
If you were stuck on a desert island, which Vs. System expansion would you want with you?
Heralds of Galactus, so everyone who is chasing it down will locate me!
James Kong
Achievements:
5x $10k Top 8s. Lvl 60 Warrior WoW.
How often do you draft at the moment?
At least twice a week.
What was the most successful team, and card for you this weekend?
Checkmate and Traitor to the Cause
How do you find Crisis as a draft set overall?
It’s random. Good decks rely heavily on just one good card.
What card do you most want to open in the finals?
Ahmed Samsarra, White King
If you were stuck on a desert island, which Vs. System expansion would you want with you?
Superman, Man of Steel — that way I can burn it for warmth.
Anthony "Migga" Macali
Achievements:
2x $10k Top 8, 3x $10k Top 10 (How frustrating!)
How often do you draft at the moment?
2 or 3 times a month
What was the most successful team, and card for you this weekend?
Villains United and Magical Lobotomy
How do you find Crisis as a draft set overall?
It’s terrible. Really.
What card do you most want to open in the finals?
Blinding Rage
If you were stuck on a desert island, which Vs. System expansion would you want with you?
Marvel Knights.