Well, Oceanic Nationals Stage 3 is certainly delivering. Week 2 should keep the bangers rolling right from Game 1, with plenty of high stakes matches for playoffs — and relegations — as teams try to stay afloat.
I love Oceanic Nationals, because it’s one week in and we’re already talking about the playoffs possibilities. After that Week 1, how could you not?
ORDER are sitting dead last with a round record that could put Rhythm’s Stage 2 to shame. We don’t expect it to stay that way for long, but it’s gotta be highlighted.
Meanwhile, Chiefs are once again proving their the Kings of OCN with another solid start. Could the 7-0 be on the cards? Week 2 will likely be their biggest challenge.
To help me break down the action, I’ve only got the biggest of Oceanic Siege brains to try and dumb it down for a simpleton like me.
- Michael “Guzz” Gurrie: OCN & APAC South caster
- Jake “Zenox” Brander: OCN & APAC South caster
- Rob “Manic” Munday: OCN & APAC South caster
- James “Devmarta” Stewart: OCN & APAC South caster
- Isaiah “Vast” Patterson: Former Chiefs player & OCN caster
- Mandy “Rappel” Powers: OCN observer
- Alex “Skye” McCallum: Caster and observer
- Andrew “Ducky” Amos: Snowball Esports journalist
And, because we won’t actually talk about them in this week’s edition, I just want to give a quick shoutout to Wildcard. Things are finally getting in motion over there after a year of struggles, and they might be able to finally make the playoffs this year in Stage 3 if they keep it up. One can only hope.
With that out of the way, let’s dig right into the action.
ORDER vs Overt (Friday 8pm AEST)
Prediction: ORDER win
Well, this is probably going to be closer than first predicted. To say ORDER underperformed in the first week of OCN would be an understatement. And Overt looked decent on their debut.
Let’s talk about Overt first. Their guns-up style of play, with plenty of aggression on attack, caught out the likes of Knights and Rhythm — either by speed or skill. It was impressive. Kyro definitely deserves a mention for his game against Knights, because despite not getting it over the line his Nokk on attack definitely threw spanners in the works.
ORDER… yeah. They had a week to forget. After getting off with a win in APAC South, they went a combined 4-14 against ROFLCOPTER and Wildcard to start the season in dead-last. It’s hardly the look you want to see from an international-calibre team in a domestic league, and it really just looked like they were cold.
This team’s identity is slowly morphing away from the Speca days of old and into the Bailey machine. If Bailey can pull in another big game, then everything will fall into place for ORDER. However, when that’s not happening, they need to figure out a new strategy fast, or else Overt could be on the hunt for a Stage 3 playoffs berth.
Chiefs vs Bliss (Saturday 9pm AEST)
Prediction: Chiefs win
Are Chiefs on for the three-peat? It certainly looks like it, and this rematch with Stage 2 grand finalists Bliss might prove it.
The Kings of Oceania have already taken down Knights in breezy fashion (7-1 against the APAC South champions is no mean feat). With Ethan, the squad looks incredibly fluid (not that Vast was the problem, but this is Ethan we’re talking about here). He’s added that extra spark to let Worthy go do Worthy things, fragging up a storm.
Bliss were challenged in Week 1 by ROFLCOPTER, but ultimately emerged with their record (mostly) intact. Jigsaw was once again the star of the show in that close matchup, but it showcased some vulnerabilities — especially in the BO1s — that weren’t especially prevalent in Stage 2.
I’m going to be real with you: The Chiefs should end this season 7-0, and the only teams that could realistically stop them are now behind them in Wildcard and Knights. The three-peat is on, and I’m here for it. Don’t say I’ve jinxed you.
ROFLCOPTER vs Knights (Saturday 9pm AEST)
Prediction: Knights win
Coming into this season, I don’t think many had high hopes for ROFLCOPTER. Losing Bouncin was a big deal, especially when the replacements weren’t exactly that proven. However, they look a better version of themselves, and it’s caught everyone off-guard.
Hats off has to go to Campo, who is really using his experience to bring this squad to the next level. Things obviously must have gone sideways with Sinnix in Stage 2, and this is the ROFLCOPTER we were getting excited about in Stage 1 — maybe even better.
But, this week will be a big test. Up against the Knights, ROFLCOPTER shouldn’t stop with that aggressive style of play they showcased last week (and almost beat Bliss with). Gun skill is so important right now, and ROFL have it in spades — even without Bouncin.
Knights, however, should be able to one-up them. After getting flogged by Chiefs and losing to Invictus in APAC South, they’ll be hungry for blood. While petrol isn’t exactly the nicest thing to drink, they’re still the odds-on to rip the ROFLCOPTER to shreds.
Oceanic Nationals 2021 Stage 3 Week 2 kicks off on Friday, September 17 with Wildcard vs Knights at 7pm AEST.
You can catch the action live on the Rainbow Six Bravo Twitch channel.
