Gold Coast Big Gun Players March 2010
1. Travis Crawley NSW
Travis Crawley - (NSW)
* Australian Singles Champion - 2001, 2006
2. John 'Rusty' Wheeler QLD
John 'Rusty' Wheeler - QLD
 Category: Professional - -
Big Guns Comment:
A relatively unknown player that just breezed into town. He has picked up the odd title here and there, and may fancy himself to win a few games in this tournament. I don't think we can expect him to wear that red jacket during the comp, as apparently he was forced to burn it when pulled over by the fashion police.
I think he escaped with a warning and was asked not to dress himself ever again. A red hot chance to be the 2010 Big Gun. I have him at $7.50 to win... he has got himself at even money! 3. Adam List QLD
Adam List - QLD
 Professional
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Big Guns Comment:
Has to be considered a geniune 'smokey' in this tournament. Has the type of game that sends his opponents cold!
A very clean potter and at times his positional play is majestic.
Can his game stand up over this sort of distance against such a high quality field?
We rate him a $15.00 chance to win the title. 4. Brent Read QLD
Brent Read
 - QLDProfessional
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Big Guns Comment:
The Big Guns have learned that Snooker World is where Brent gets all his mail posted too. Apparently he resides under table seven! Talk about Home Ground Advantage!!!!
Brent will be looking to use his local knowledge to give himself the edge when things get tight. A good player that just lives and breathes pool. This will be a good hit-out for Brent as he is off to England to play in the World Championships in June.
Big Guns is thinking about hiring a full time umpire to follow Brent around for his games... many people have suggested, he plays that slow, he should have started on Wednesday.
A little bit of value at $21.00 to win the title. 5. Justin Thursby QLD
Justin Thursby
 - QLDProfessional
2007 U/21 AUS 8Ball Champion
2007 QLD 8Ball Singles Runner Up 2006 U/21 QLD Champion 2005 AUS 8Ball Quarterfinalist 2005 U/21 QLD Champion 2005 U/21 AUS 8Ball Runner Up 2004 QLD Champion 2003 U/18 AUS 8Ball Champion 2002/03/04 U/18 QLD Champion 2001 U/15 QLD 8Ball Champion - -
Big Guns Comment:
Don't let the smile fool you... this baby faced assassin is ruthless! Althouth not considered one of the finest potters in the field, Justin's unorthadox game makes opponents uncomfortable and his ability to win games from knowhere is uncanny. If Justin settles early, he will be difficult to remove. However, Big Guns believes becasue he is untested over this distance against this quality field, Justin may struggle in latter rounds. At $17 to win, he may be value. 6. Johl Younger NSW
Johl Younger
 Professional
NSW
Johl started playing pool as a young child, and at age 12, he was a star Aussie rules footballer, and junior Motorcross champion. He was forced to choose between his three favorite sports at a young age, and his love of pool took over as his number one interest. So he embarked on a professional cue-sport career. Johl became Australian junior 8-ball, 9-ball and Snooker Champion a few years later. He then went on to become a professional Snooker player for 7 years. Johl later turned his hand at 9-ball and he became the best Australian player, winning the Australian 8-ball and 9-ball champs. Later in Australia, he earned a spot in the World 9-ball in Cardiff, Wales and was and was narrowly defeated, by a 13-11 score line. Johl developed a growing frustration with cue-sports in general, with the prize money that was constantly decreasing in the UK. With Snooker also loosing major sponsors, Johl was forced to quit playing professional cue-sports. He now co-owns two different highly successful businesses in Surfer’s Paradise, Australia, the tourist capital of Australia. After hearing of the exciting new International Pool Tour, he could not wait to get back into the game, and Johl is counting the days to set foot in Las Vegas to take on the best players in the world!
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Big Guns Comment: A true world class performer. This guy just oozes talent. If Johl took this game seriously, he would be a seriously tough player to beat and would certainly cause many headaches at a world championships.
Even with half a preperation, Johl is playing to win and he will be someone most will be looking to avoid.
I have him at a $6.50 second favourite to win. No suprises if he ends up with the cash! 7. Paul Dickinson WA
Paul Dickinson - (WA) Category: Professional Coached By: Jim Bonner Mentored By: Phil Reilly Hardest Player to Beat: Alec Evreniadis (Ace) Began playing 1995
8. Justin Sajich WA
Justin Sajich
 Professional
WA - - Big Guns Comment: The shinning light of WA 8-Ball. Two time (and current) Australian Singles Champion, and has won a thousand junior national titles and a million state comps and local comps. In a poll at the 2009 Nationals, the nations top womens players voted Justin as the 2nd hottest male player in Australian 8-Ball. He just missed out by a few votes and was defeated by South Australia's Jack Hunter. Justin has the goods to be the 2010 Big Guns champion. At $7.50, he's a big chance. 9. Ron Kelly WA
Ron Kelly
 - WAProfessional
* 2000 – WA Singles Champion
10. Alan Brown WA
Alan Brown
 - WAProfessional
STARTED PLAYING 1980 (UK) CHESHIRE COUNTY TEAM 1985,86 WA STATE TEAM SELECTION 1999,00,02,03,04,05,06,07,09 WA STATE SINGLES RU-UP 2003,05,07,08 WA STATE DOUBLES WINNER 2005,07 WA STATE DOUBLES RU-UP 1998,00,02,03,07,09 WA PLAYER OF YEAR 2005,07 AUSTRALIAN DOUBLES WINNER 2002 AUSTRALIA TEAM SELECTION 2007 - - Big Guns Comment: Hmmm, Alan Brown! What to say........ Can he play... Yes! For sure. Can he win... If at his best, he can certainly put himself in some handy situations. A rock solid player under pressure and has been the 'Go-To' man for WA at big moments at national titles. He tells me that since his, 'bogey man', Stevie Woods withdrew, he has felt a lot better about his chances. We believe that he needs to be at his best to push into the money positions. At $17.00 to win the tournament, he will give a bold showing. 11. Alec Evreniadis SA
Alec Evreniadis - SA
 Professional
The list is far too long!
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Big Guns Comment:
Where does one begin!!! Widely regarded as Australia's best ever pool player, Alec has done it all.
He has dominated the sport from the early 90's and has continued to be a major threat in any tournament. The list of achievements will only embarass us all, so I will not mention them. Does tend to be a lot grumpier these days, but still shoots a good stick! He makes no secret who he would like to avoid in this tournament... He says that Travis Crawley is like a gun that never runs out of bullets. He would be happy to be in seperate halves when the draw gets done. Alec rates very highly in the market. At $9.50, your money will be alive for a long time. 12. James Delahunty SA
James Delahunty
 SAProfessional
- - Big Guns Comment: This galloper only knows one speed... FLAT OUT!!!!! Young Dela has an eye like a lazor and shoots just as straight. His cueing style resebles a drunk frog in a slowly moving blender but gee is it effective. A champion player with only one outcome in mind... VICTORY! One of the genuine top chances in this comp... at $6.50, we are keeping him safe. 13. Ben Nunan VIC
Ben Nunan
 VICProfessional
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- Big Guns Comment: Here we go ladies and gentlemen... introducing the star of the show!!! Benny 'Big Time' Nunan Ohhh, can you feel the goose bumps tingle all over your body at the mere mentioning of his name!!! I hear that Benny is to appear in the next Gillette ad, along side Woods & Federer... that's how big this guy is!!! A huge talent with massive ability.
A raging red hot favourite in our books at $5.50 14. Jake McCartney VIC
Jake McCartney
 - VICProfessional
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- Big Guns Comment: Jake is the youngest player in the field and the only reason he is allowed to play in the 'Big Guns' is because I promised his mum that I would have him in bed by 7pm every night! The Ballarat youngster is backing his ability and is looking to 'tear it up' ths weekend!!
A very capable player with a mountain of skill and ability.
His capability is unquestioned... he strolls into the Victorian state team every year and is very tough to knock over at nationals. With his 'Trade Mark' hair style, Jake will be looking to leave a big impression on a few of the more experienced players when the whips start cracking.
We have him an $11.00 chance to win Big Guns. 15. Rob Munster QLD
Rob Munster
 - QLDProfessional
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Big Guns Comment:
Please excuse my ignorance, but I know very little about Mr. Rob Munster apart from the fact he knocked off a very handy North Queensland field to claim a spot in the 'Big Guns' field.
Word on the street is that he can handle himself quite well, and the more fancied 'Pros' should not take this Queenslander too lightly.
We have Rob at a $34.00 chance to win the crown. 19. John 'JJ' Spink QLD
 John 'JJ' Spink - QLDAmateur
started playing 1990 Alice jnr champ 91, 92 Alice Springs Champ 93, 94, 95, 96, 99, 2000 Youngest ever State Singles Champion in Australia (at the time) 1994 NT at 20 yrs of age. (yes its true Rav!! i know its well been beaten several times now.) NT representative at National Titles 94 96 97 98 99 2000 including being Singles, Doubles reps and Vice cap. NSW Captain at Nationals 2004 & 2006 Moved to "Paradise" Sunshine Coast and Started Sunny Coast Cue Sports Assoc inc. in 2005 and currently still run and promote 8ball as El Presidente on the Sunny Coast. Sunshine Coast Singles & Doubles Champion 2005-2010. Looking forward to Las Vegas in a couple of months for 9ball & 8ball. Hardest player to beat - Jimi "Giant Killer" Serci :-) JJ is well known around Oz for various reasons including pool! Coupla interesting stories people can tell:-) Retired from National competition after 2006 to concentrate on JJ Enterprises and Totally Smoked! Businesses which are thriving. ( if you havent tried JJ's Smoked Tomatoes your missing out big time!!) note for the punters: JJ has rarely been beaten over a best of 21 20. Werner Fontein QLD
 Werner Fontein - QLDAmateur
NZ 8 ball Team 1992-1998, 2003
· World Champs 1993 – Top 16 Singles · World Champs 2003 - Captain NZ Team · 9 x Auckland Titles · 3 x North Island Titles · 1 National Title & 4 x r/up L · 2009 QLD Pairs Champ NZ Achievements:
22. Chris Bingley QLD
Chris Bingley
 - QLDAmateur
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Lots of Trophies in this guys cabinet.
pity they are all for fishing.
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Big Guns Comment:
If Chris wants to go fishing... I am in.
You can't beat skull-dragging a 40kg monster up from the deep blue with a 200kg line!!!! Oh yeah!!!
Coming down to have a crack at Australias best from up North Queensland way. There is no better way to learn the craft then up against the best in the land. Good on ya Chris. Big Guns has Chris at $151.00 to win the title. 25. Chris Beagley NT
Chris Beagley
 Intermediate
NT
3 time (and current) NT Singles Champion
2003 Australian Singles Semi Finalist 2001 NT Doubles Champion Big Guns Comment:
This guy is the 'Ice Man' of Territory 8-Ball, underestimate him at your peril.
He may look like a well seasoned drunk from Darwin, but let me assure you all... he was only holding that Jim Beam
for somebody else while they went to the toilet. Chris rates as a $26.00 chance to be the 2010 Big Gun. 28. Damien Smith NSW
Damien Smith
 - NSWAmateur
Started playing 1992
TAS STATE TEAM 1993,94,95,96,97,2001 TAS DOUBLES WINNER 1995,2001 AUST DOUBLES RU-UP 2001 Moved to Byron Bay NSW in 2003 NSW STATE TEAM 2004,05,08,09 NSW SINGLES RU-UP 2005 NSW TEAM CAPTAIN 2005,09 Hardest player to beat, Anyone with a cue. Love playing pool for fun and the great people you meet. - -
Big Guns Comment:
A former Tassie star that now lives on the NSW north coast who has little fear of the big names. He has played them all a thousand times at national titles and other tournaments. Damo can handle himself quite well on the pool table, although, the best of 21 may be a big test his long range fuel tank when he is deep into a big match. Last years NSW team captain will be tough to beat if not treated with respect. I can't believe I let him in for $250! The bookies have him placed at $41.00 to win the title.
32. Kingsley Towell - QLD
Ameatur QLD
Has always performed well in these events. Always shoots very respectable in the local team fixtures. |
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Kingsley Towell