In Conversation with Mike Neild

Over the weekend we invited Mike Nield, Australian Dingo and captain of the always-hardcore MBB: Messy team to join us for some unagi-don and sake, followed by a stroll around the Dojo's bamboo grove and a chat about the clash between our two great teams last week. Here's what we discussed:

DojoMojo Blog: Thanks for dropping by Mike. Another rout for DojoMojo last week, despite a cracking start. We pulled out a 4-point lead over Messy at the start of the game, but the momentum quickly and massively swung to Messy from then on. Did we get lazy, or did your guys ramp it up, or a bit of both?

Mike Neild: Thanks for having me on board. Yeah we pride ourselves on playing with high intensity and we didn't do that at the start of the game. I feel like we increased the defensive pressure after the first few points and that helped us out. It is also quite a challenge to stay focussed and desperate when you are winning with ease and I expect that some overconfidence or casualness from the DOJO team contributed to the reversal. In fact it is rare that the DOJO team gets up to a high level of intensity or desperation during our games. I always talk about getting on top of you blokes early and letting you fold like an origami panda, because if it gets close at the end then you become difficult to put away, like a long samurai sword.

DMB: Yep - can't argue with any of that. So, just how easy would you say the Dojo made it for Messy Bugs by repeatedly and generously throwing the disc away?

MN: Well I reckon there was some mutual throw away behaviour going on during the night. I wouldn't want to take anything away from the great blocks generated by The Vicar and Wet Nose during key points. It never felt easy during the game, and I would be more concerned about defensive pressure than throw aways from the DOJO perspective.

DMB: Very interesting, Mike. Of course playing defence has never been a strong component of the traditional Dojo Way of "sweep the leg", made famous by John Kreese himself. Anyway, we digress. The Messy offence looked anything but messy on Thursday night. Sure, there were the usual end-to-end completions, but there was some very tidy work up the field as well. What would you say are the crucial factors in developing such a reliable offence?

MN: When a team gets away with a few big throws for goal the reaction of the defense to cover more deep cuts which opens up a more smooth short game. We are fortunate to have Jason who can threaten that long goal and therefore create space under for the cutters. To answer your questions more generally - simplicity. The hallmark of the Moreton Bay Buggers club over the last 8 seasons has been simplicity and uniformity of message. We only have a few ideas and we keep saying them over and over again. In that way everyone knows what the plan is and we all do it. Not a complicated plan, just a plan. Reliable and successful offence is all about people doing their job and letting everyone else do theirs.

DMB: Well, obviously those "few ideas" are working, and even though we all certainly know what to expect from the Messy outfit it's still a tough ask to deal with. How about when you know you'll be playing against Dojo in an upcoming game - what's the one thing above all else you know you can expect to see?

MN: For one a different group of players than you saw last time. The vintage ring ins that you manage to produce are diverse and at times spectacular. Dan Walls for crying out loud. Sensational weapon to produce out of frisbee antiquity. Dan lead by example at my first nationals in Canberra, 2003. An inspiration to any young downfield running type player. He was a very promising young Moreton Bay Bugger, as where you and I if I remember correctly. We all have to make choices Steve, I wouldn't beat yourself up too much.

You can also expect to see some indiscriminate down field throwing from the DOJO, and typically a difficult to handle zone defense.

DMB: Indiscriminate indeed. I hope my fellow kenshi are paying attention. Okay - lastly here's a hypothetical situation: It's 7pm Thursday night, all the Dojo guys are ready for a pre-game warmup (highly unlikely as that may indeed be). Say for a moment you're in charge - how would you spend this critical half hour?

MN: Reinforcing the simple team message (3 or 4 key team rules). Especially for a team of experienced and competent players like the DOJO, you have to get those boys onto the same page on a few things. Then I'd get everyone together for a run as a group, followed by a throwing, catching and running activity that would build some enthusiasm for the coming event. Got to generate that intensity.

DMB: Very wise words, Nield-san. Thanks a lot for sharing your insights into the game and giving stick where stick's due.

MN: No worries. Thanks for the opportunity to be part of the growing BPL club culture here on the DOJO blog. I love this competition, and I love having lasting rivalry and camaraderie with other clubs including the Frisbee DOJO. Thanks again.

Another Shocker

For the second week in a row, DojoMojo played well below its traditional standard of impeccable brilliance. In order to reverse this unfortunate trend, all kenshi have been directed to polish every car in their nearest second-hand dealership using the legendary wax-on wax-off technique until some tough lessons have been learned.

More on the game shortly in this week's post-match Q&A between the Dojo Sensei and MBB's own Big Bad Sasquatch. In the interim there's the latest MVP poll to the right to keep us entertained until the next round. Stefan took out the prize last week after breaking into a large number of computers and voting for himself en masse.

LD (and Rawhide amigo) Jon speaks

Today we're fortunate enough to have Jon Good, BPL League Director and Rawhide Amigo join us in the Dojo teahouse.

DojoMojo Blog: Good afternoon Jon - hope you're enjoying the outlook over our wonderfully raked pebble garden. Now, while we're sitting here enjoying the view, perhaps you'd like to make a few comments about the game last night from your victorious perspective...

Were you surprised that Rawhide managed to so convincingly destroy DojoMojo last night?

Jon Good: Yes I was. We've had a change in direction at Rawhide this season and I thought it would take a lot longer to see the results. The timing of playing an under-strength Dojo was perfect for us, although clearly the result would have been different had we played under decent lighting!

DMB: You're right there - we hadn't counted on our black shirts being invisible to our throwers as well as your defenders... So, apart from this, what would you say was the decisive difference between the teams?

JG: The new look Rawhide has cut away most of our perennial throw away specialists (despite my best efforts to fill that void); even the most reliable of the kenshi seemed to partake in that art last night.

DMB: I'm sure you mean present company excluded, of course. We note that throwaway specialist from last night Stefan is mysteriously doing very well in our current MVP poll... So, just how did you manage to counter our fiendish camouflage strategy of black shirts against the night sky?

JG: By wearing our green shirts and staying low to the ground: the body cannot catch what the eye cannot see.

DMB: Hmmm - those are words worthy of a calligraphy scroll for the Tokonoma in our legendary Shoin-style room. But we're not finished here yet. Rawhide seemed to play with a strong sense of commitment and purpose last night. Is this something you've been actively developing as a team, or is it just happening naturally?

JG: Stu 'the million dollar man' Austin has taken control this season with a very clear sense of purpose. The whole team is now concentrating on throwing early to open receivers, or quickly recycling the disc. We kept to that plan well last night and I think that was the difference between the two teams. Of course, adding some new players to our roster who are under the age of 30 and run the hundred meters in under 3 minutes has also helped.

DMB: Yes - I don't think anyone would label this season's Rawhide team as slow (well, at least when Stew McGoo and JDR don't turn up). So, in terms of addressing one's shortcomings, do you think it would make a positive or negative difference if the Dojo actually warmed up before each game, and why?

JG: When you have that level of class in a team, why would you waste any of it with something as trivial as a warm up? Much like the Russians in the cold war, you never know what is actually happening behind the iron curtain that is the Dojo facade - this makes the opposition uncertain and nervous; who cares if it ends up with the occasional mishap?

Thanks for all those wide words, Good-san. No-one can deny that you are a most learned director of leagues and astute commentator of the game. We'll ponder those thoughts for some time, and with your encouragement will continue to neglect warming-up in favour of our famous ninja-style veil of mystery.

Dojo 1 Win 1 (very big) Loss

No good news this morning for adherents of the Dojo way. Playing primarily against a zone D, Dojo consistently made basic errors close to their own endzone, usually resulting in a quick turnaround goal for opponents Rawhide. Some nice work in and around the cup, with plenty of good popping and give-go style action, but looking upfield was always shaky and more than the odd 3m dump pass went astray...

Every now and then DojoMojo manages a truly horrible performance, and last night was hopefully the only one for this season. Perhaps with the addition of some changes to the roster this season we're still feeling our way into a groove as to who does what on field, and the absence of experienced guys like Matt, Lee, Phil and the seasonally alternating Andy McL really hurt as well.

Anyway, enough eulogising. Check out the newest feature of the DojoMojo blogsite to the right of this post - it's an MVP poll which lists everyone who played last night. Not sure how it'll work, but it'd be nice to tally up the scores at the end of the season for an inhouse MVP award of some sort. Get voting.

Player Interview #1 - Dr Phil

Today we're embarking on the first DojoMojo player interview, and who better than our eminently erudite elder Dr Phil Stocks? Sure, the lucky ladies of B(l)ond(e) Uni know him as the friendly professor whose “door is always open”, but few have cracked through that sportsjacket-with-leather-elbow-patches veneer to discover the fierce frisbee competitor that lurks within.

Well, let's hope for the sake of Phil's reputation that none of his students read this blog because what follows is sure to be an exposay of Hilton-esque proportion.

DojoMojo Blog: Dr Phil Stocks – thanks for joining us here in the shoji-screened tatami room of the Dojo inner sanctum. Those special slippers really do look rather fetching on you. Now – for those who don't know, tell us - when did you take your first on-field steps on the Dojo path?

Phil Stocks: Well, that was sometime back when I still had all my own teeth. The selectors were choosing between me and the trilobite.

DMB: Any memories of your first game?

PS: Memories are for wimps.

DMB: Indeed. And it takes a particularly non-wimpy chap like yourself to look as manly as you do in that kimono. Anyway, back to the questions. What would you say is the defining characteristic that sets DojoMojo apart from other frisbee teams?

PS: Three words: Utter Coolness.

DMB: A mathematics professor through & through. Okay then let's make it personal. Would you rather try to catch a hammer from Matt or Lee, and why?

PS: Catch? I'm a thrower, baby.

DMB: No-one could disagree with that (especially if they've seen you try to catch!) So - how is it that Dojo players never need to train?

PS: Training is for wimps.

DMB: Speaking of wimps - Andy McLean. Why does he need to take every second season off?

PS: Well, it could be the juxtaposition of work-related stresses against carving out a household to support some hot Brazilian mama to become the mother of one's future generations, or it's just pure apathy. I dunno. Either way, we love Andy. Hi Leticia!

DMB: Which player is most likely to do something regrettable off-field?

PS: I'll take the 5th on that.

DMB: Ah yes – that famous Stocks delicateness. Rumour has it that many a fortunate (and no doubt enthusiastic) student has been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of that famous “soft touch”. Which leads us neatly to our next question. Greatest moment you've had on the Dojo?

PS: What, you mean apart from winning Regionals and beating the Buggers twice at Nationals?

DMB: Hah – yes, you've certainly got a good point there. How about this then - would you say offence is for lazy people, or defence is for stupid people, or a bit of both?

PS: Yes.

DMB: Hmmm – very, very deep indeed. Okay then, our tenth and last question, and probably the most critical one of all. What would you like to see added to the Dojo merchandise range?

PS: A trampoline. Don't ask.

Dr Phil Stocks – thanks for taking the time to sip a cup of green tea with us. No, you can't take any of the geisha with you.

Dojo 1 Win 0 Losses

The first round of the BPL winter season took place last night, and DojoMojo, hot favourites to win against UQ Lovers did just that, taking out the win 15-12 on the notoriously dark and damp Field 3 at AJFC.

There was some speculation after Dojo frittered an early lead that the two UQ players we'd accepted as pickups for the night may have been carrying out some sort of nefarious destroy-from-within plan, but this was quickly dismissed as Donnie and Badman showed why they bother to drive all the way from Byron Bay to play. Both managed some very tidy work.

Other standout performances were from Mike Morgan, who many believed should have won Rookie of the Season last time round, who ran, threw and generally charmed his way around a clearly confused opposition. This season's new guys Matt Hall and Santiago Morales (all the way from Columbia) proved themselves instant assets, and took the number of Gold Coast based Dojo kenshi to 6 - nearly half the team! Lee was the only GC boy who didn't show, which is typical.

Luke also failed to turn up, citing his appearance as an extra in the upcoming production of "Police Academy 28 - When Cops Get Tazers" as his excuse. So Lee could've played after all with no fear of the law.

Next week we'll be doing it all again against Rawhide on the same fantastically prepared field. If you want to see what have recently been described as Brisbane's two boutique teams (presumably referring to our awesome range of merchandise) going head to head then the Annerley Junior Football Club fields is the place to be from 7-9pm.

A New Season Dawns

Welcome to the brand new DojoMojo blogsite. Tonight (12 June 2008) marks the beginning of a brand new Brisbane Premier League season, and the Dojo is widely tipped to once again be a finals contender.

If there is anyone reading who doesn't know what we're talking about, the Brisbane Premier League is the top-shelf competition for Ultimate Frisbee here in Brisbane, and DojoMojo is the oldest, most gloriously history-laden and also most spectacularly well-merchandised team around. Anyone can come on down to the Annerley Junior Football Club fields on any given Thursday night from 7.30pm to watch us (or any of the other teams) in action.

In weeks to come we'll be posting video of BPL action (featuring exclusively Dojo stars, of course) , interviews with players, commentary from the experts, and absolutely no boring discussions between ourselves. There will be regular game results and the odd bit of commentary though.

For now, take a look at the image to the right. If you see someone wearing a shirt with this on the front you'll be able to pretend you can read kanji and katakana.