Gfinity Elite Series Australia: Rocket League Semi Finals Recap

With the Sydney Chiefs bringing their main roster back after their ELEAGUE Cup run, everything was at stake for the team who this time last season lost their first Australian LAN in over two years. Going up against young guns and top-seeded Brisbane Deceptors, led by ex-Chiefs player Jake, they looked determined to make sure they booked their rightful place in the final.

The game started out slowly, with Chiefs getting the first break with 28 seconds left on the clock in Game 1. While Jake was able to secure overtime with a great solo effort, Torsos finished off the Deceptors to take the lead in the series.

After a dominant Game 2 saw the Chiefs in the lead at the first break, the Deceptors struck back in Game 3 in a back-and-forth affair. While Torsos and Kamii played off each other for the Chiefs, SSteve and Jake were finding innovative angles to strike back at the veteran roster.

With overtime on the horizon and scores locked at 2-2, SSteve snuck behind the Chiefs defence to set up Jake off the backboard to claim the victory for Brisbane, who were looking to make their resurgence in the series.

It was short-lived glory though for the playoffs rookies. Game 4 saw SSteve make some miraculous saves on the goal line but it wasn’t enough to keep Brisbane in the game, while Game 5 saw Chiefs keep a clean sheet as they drove all over the defeated Brisbane.

The currently “fourth best team in the world” claimed a 4-1 series victory and booked their first Gfinity Elite Series finals appearance against the winner of crosstown rivals Sydney ROAR, and last season’s victors Melbourne ORDER.

?Get your morning boost with @ASTROGaming‘s Top 5 #RocketLeague Moments from the semi-finals!

?@TorsosRL | @KamiiRL | @shadeyRL | @JakeRL_ | @ExpressRL_ pic.twitter.com/bkUfynD7Su

— Gfinity Australia (@GfinityAU) December 12, 2018

The second-seeded ROAR took no time at all to get a headstart over third-seeded ORDER, scoring in the first two minutes of Game 1 after great synergy between Express and Shadey. While Julz snuck one in to take it to overtime, Express was able to punish the aggressive ORDER to give the ROAR the early lead.

ORDER looked to close the gap in Game 2, going blow-for-blow with the ROAR, but great passing pressure created by the ROAR saw another game slip by the champion’s fingers in the dying moments. It was a similar story again in Game 3, this time with CJCJ topping it off with a fancy air dribble as ROAR looked to sweep ORDER.

Game 4 saw ROAR dig the grave of ORDER with brilliant mind games to set up a goal for Shadey, who looked to pass but instead took it himself off the backboard to give the ROAR a 2-0 lead in the game.

ORDER dug their heels in with some superb defensive efforts, and while Julz got a consolidation goal, it wasn’t enough to take the game as the ROAR secured their first ever finals appearance in any game 4-0.

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With a Sydney v Sydney rivalry heading up the finals of the Gfinity Elite Series Rocket League, this is one game you won’t want to miss. Six of the most talented players – all of whom have played in RLCS LANs – will bring all the fireworks to the Hoyts Entertainment Quarter this Sunday.

The Gfinity Elite Series Finals continue on December 16 with Street Fighter V and Rocket League. Tune in on Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to watch the games live. You can also head to gfinityesports.com.au for details on schedule and tickets.