Bad Apples couldn't quite match their seeding at Nationals, finishing in 16th place out of 16 teams, having been seeded 15th but they won another spirit trophy - the fourth spirit victory in 7 teams since 2002 for the Tasmanian Open team at Nationals. Thanks to captain Huddy Fuller for running the team.
The Bad Apples team at Nationals, Adelaide, April 2010: (back row, standing) Damien Gilby, Grady Cowley, David Cooke, Warwick Reed, Russel Nassim, Chris Mrzyk, Ahilen Gankadharan, Robin Fleming; (front row, kneeeling) Huddy Fuller(c), Mike Baker, Chris Khoo, Reed Burgette, Felix Kennedy, Stephen Joyce. Photograph by Huddy Fuller.
A full team list for the Tiggers who went to Adelaide for Nationals in April 2010 follows:
| Shirt number | Name |
|---|---|
| 2. | Felix Kennedy |
| 5. | Grady Cowley |
| 7. | Chris Mrzyk |
| 8. | Stephen Joyce* |
| 9. | Ahilen Gankadharan% |
| 13. | Mike Baker |
| 18. | Russel Nassim% |
| 21. | Robin Fleming |
| 24. | Huddy Fuller (captain) |
| 31. | David Cooke |
| 33. | Reed Burgette |
| 52. | Warwick Reed |
| 70. | Damien Gilby |
| 77. | Chris Khoo% |
The first game saw us face the second seed after a bye first up. We were still introducing ourselves to each other before the game, and it showed with our lack of connection. Mike Baker injected himself into the game with a brilliant huck to Reed in the endzone, but lack of mutual understanding between our players, and slow transition to D meant the second seed could utilise their free flowing style to the full. A good learning experience for us all.
The second throw of the game had Chilly throwing it away near their line, and a great opportunity for us to score early. Unfortunately we couldn't convert, and Chilly never looked back. Although we were more cohesive than the first game, and had some very good passages of play, Chilly took half to nil. After half, Mike soured a truly amazing lay out by seriously dislocating his shoulder and ruling himself out of the tournament. We were a bit shell shocked, and although we continued to battle, Chilly took the game to nil.
This game saw us pitted against the 14th seed, and a game we thought we could take. Umlaut made a lot of errors, but managed to convert their chances. In gusting, squally conditions, we ground our way into the game. While it may not have been pretty, we had much better connection and teamwork. It was a very hard-fought game, regardless of the score. In the absence of Baker, Chris Mrzyk stood up to be counted.
First game of the second day started with Fakulti using zone, which was highly effective for the entire game. We struggled in frustrating conditions with 10 fit players. Fortunately, this experience steeled us in the coming games.
Our ten fit players started well, taking the first point from a turn. Although Eastern Greys won points on a more consistent basis than we did, every player on Bad Apples stepped up and played some intense ultimate. Our connections were improving, our zone came together and we were scoring points both up and downwind. Good hard fought game against a team with a different style to ours.
Game 6 vs Ghengis 13-15This was our game of the tournament up to the point. Although still with just 10 players, we traded points with Ghengis until 13 all. Every player stepped up, without any particular standouts. As Felix said, it felt like we won this game, regardless of what the scoreline was. We gained a lot of confidence and teamwork out of this game. While the effort was an even spread, there were notables of Felix catching a Callahan, Chris M continuing his great form in Layout Ds, and Huddy chiming in with his own.
After suffering a tournament ending injury, Baker decided he would play a few points. With his arm taped to his side, Baker took a crucial grab near the endzone as we took a 4-1 lead. We were up and firing, but Umlaut found their feet and started working well both up and down wind. Despite all of our injured players chipping in, Umlaut's extra legs and experience was telling. Bad Apples went down swinging in a tough encounter that was a far cry from the error ridden first game between these teams.
After playing Umlaut a second time, we ended up playing Ghengis a second time for 15th place. Again, Bad Apples started well, with everyone contributing, but we weren't able to hold our early lead. It was a hard fought battle with good play on tired legs from both teams. Chris M again continued his good form in taking good contested aerial catches. Chris K and Felix handled really well.
Thanks to the Chilly boys, Chris K, Russ and G for playing. They all added a lot to our team and I hope they got a lot out of the tournament. I was very pleased and impressed by the way everyone stepped up in the tournament. There was not a single player who did not take the challenge and meet it, which is something we can all be proud of. Despite coming 16th, we performed well. With an inexperienced squad, and the first team from Tassie in 3 years, we can be proud of our play over the tournament.