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    Jess: Choosing passion over profession

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    Elevate re-enter Rainbow Six through ANZ, sign former Oddity roster

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    Ground Zero settle into Contenders Australia with almost flawless first week

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    Ground Zero get Contenders treble with Drop Bears triumph in Week 3

    Ground Zero get Contenders treble with Drop Bears triumph in Week 3

    Ground Zero surge to second Contenders win in a row, Drop Bears claw back second

    Ground Zero surge to second Contenders win in a row, Drop Bears claw back second

    Contenders Australia return marred by map preset, pause issues

    Contenders Australia return marred by map preset, pause issues

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    Ground Zero settle into Contenders Australia with almost flawless first week

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    Jordation: “I hope people don’t sleep on Mindfreak again”

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    Ground Zero secure super team for Contenders Australia 2020

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    Athletico look to Europe to revamp Overwatch Contenders squad in 2020

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    Avant make confident start in the new international environment with ANZ Champs victory

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    The Kiwi faces of esports: Black Sheep’s Cookie

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    Emagine: In the footsteps of the Journeyman

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    Order signs Rickeh as permanent starter, adds tucks as head coach

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    IEM set to depart Sydney, move to Melbourne in 2020

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    Chiefs’ new CS:GO lineup shows Major ambitions

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    Jess: Choosing passion over profession

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    Elevate re-enter Rainbow Six through ANZ, sign former Oddity roster

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    Magnet, Dizzle, and Fnatic going from APAC top dog to global underdog

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    • Pick 6
    Ground Zero get Contenders treble with Drop Bears triumph in Week 3

    Ground Zero get Contenders treble with Drop Bears triumph in Week 3

    The Kiwi faces of esports: Black Sheep’s Cookie

    The Kiwi faces of esports: Black Sheep’s Cookie

    Ground Zero surge to second Contenders win in a row, Drop Bears claw back second

    Ground Zero surge to second Contenders win in a row, Drop Bears claw back second

    Jess: Choosing passion over profession

    Jess: Choosing passion over profession

    SeeEl: “We’re already preparing for international tournaments.”

    SeeEl: “We’re already preparing for international tournaments.”

    Elevate re-enter Rainbow Six through ANZ, sign former Oddity roster

    Elevate re-enter Rainbow Six through ANZ, sign former Oddity roster

    Emagine: In the footsteps of the Journeyman

    Emagine: In the footsteps of the Journeyman

    Ground Zero settle into Contenders Australia with almost flawless first week

    Ground Zero settle into Contenders Australia with almost flawless first week

    Magnet, Dizzle, and Fnatic going from APAC top dog to global underdog

    Magnet, Dizzle, and Fnatic going from APAC top dog to global underdog

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    “It’s been a long time”: Legacy Esports claim maiden Oceanic title after five years of crownless campaigns

    “It’s been a long time”: Legacy Esports claim maiden Oceanic title after five years of crownless campaigns

    Sources: Pabu to join Pentanet.GG in role swap roster shuffle

    Sources: Pabu to join Pentanet.GG in role swap roster shuffle

    OPL 2020 Split 1 Final Preview: Legacy Esports

    OPL 2020 Split 1 Final Preview: Legacy Esports

    OPL 2020 Split 1 Final Preview: Dire Wolves

    OPL 2020 Split 1 Final Preview: Dire Wolves

    Sliding Doors: OPL 2020 Split 1, Playoffs

    Sliding Doors: OPL 2020 Split 1, Playoffs

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    Sliding Doors: OPL 2020 Split 1, Week 10

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    Ground Zero get Contenders treble with Drop Bears triumph in Week 3

    Ground Zero get Contenders treble with Drop Bears triumph in Week 3

    Ground Zero surge to second Contenders win in a row, Drop Bears claw back second

    Ground Zero surge to second Contenders win in a row, Drop Bears claw back second

    Contenders Australia return marred by map preset, pause issues

    Contenders Australia return marred by map preset, pause issues

    Ground Zero settle into Contenders Australia with almost flawless first week

    Ground Zero settle into Contenders Australia with almost flawless first week

    Jordation: “I hope people don’t sleep on Mindfreak again”

    Jordation: “I hope people don’t sleep on Mindfreak again”

    Ground Zero secure super team for Contenders Australia 2020

    Ground Zero secure super team for Contenders Australia 2020

    Athletico look to Europe to revamp Overwatch Contenders squad in 2020

    Athletico look to Europe to revamp Overwatch Contenders squad in 2020

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    Snowball Esports: 2019 in Review

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    ESL and DreamHack announce two year exclusive partnership with Twitch from 2021

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    Avant make confident start in the new international environment with ANZ Champs victory

    The Kiwi faces of esports: Black Sheep’s Cookie

    The Kiwi faces of esports: Black Sheep’s Cookie

    Emagine: In the footsteps of the Journeyman

    Emagine: In the footsteps of the Journeyman

    Order signs Rickeh as permanent starter, adds tucks as head coach

    Order signs Rickeh as permanent starter, adds tucks as head coach

    IEM set to depart Sydney, move to Melbourne in 2020

    IEM set to depart Sydney, move to Melbourne in 2020

    Chiefs’ new CS:GO lineup shows Major ambitions

    Chiefs’ new CS:GO lineup shows Major ambitions

    Snowball Esports: 2019 in Review

    Snowball Esports: 2019 in Review

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    Honour among The Boys: Why 100 Thieves’ Counter-Strike return means so much for Oceania

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    Six Masters 2020 Predictions: Week 1

    Six Masters 2020 Predictions: Week 1

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    Six Masters 2020 to tie into new Rainbow Six global esports circuit

    Six Masters 2020 to tie into new Rainbow Six global esports circuit

    Snowball partners with Ubisoft for Six Masters 2020

    Jess: Choosing passion over profession

    Jess: Choosing passion over profession

    Elevate re-enter Rainbow Six through ANZ, sign former Oddity roster

    Elevate re-enter Rainbow Six through ANZ, sign former Oddity roster

    Magnet, Dizzle, and Fnatic going from APAC top dog to global underdog

    Magnet, Dizzle, and Fnatic going from APAC top dog to global underdog

    Lunarmetal: SEA Rainbow Six “really has a lot of potential.”

    Lunarmetal: SEA Rainbow Six “really has a lot of potential.”

    Wildcard gearing up for 2020 marathon after Six Invitational “miracle run”

    Wildcard gearing up for 2020 marathon after Six Invitational “miracle run”

    Fnatic’s fresh blood ready to set Montreal alight at Six Invitational

    Fnatic’s fresh blood ready to set Montreal alight at Six Invitational

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Home Overwatch

Ground Zero surge to second Contenders win in a row, Drop Bears claw back second

Andrew Amos by Andrew Amos
March 19, 2020
Ground Zero surge to second Contenders win in a row, Drop Bears claw back second
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Ground Zero have locked their place into the Overwatch Contenders Australia Season 1 2020 playoffs after claiming their second victory in a row, although they faced new opposition in Sydney Drop Bears in this week’s final.

Ground Zero’s firm grip on the rest of the Contenders field was tightened in Week 2, after the Perth-based org secured their second weekly win and another 100 points. However, instead of getting a rematch with NoWeaver, they faced down the old dynasty of the Sydney Drop Bears to run it back.

The three-time champions of Contenders Australia look vastly different from when they were winning titles back in 2018, although the same fighting spirit lives on. After a 3-4th place finish in Week 1, the Drop Bears clawed their way back into the final of Week 2 after taking down NoWeaver 3-0.

It was redemption for Winter “Winter” Thomas and his squad, who had to recuperate after a tough loss to the French organization.

  • Read more: Ground Zero settle into Contenders Australia with almost flawless first week

“The first week’s loss was tough on the boys,” he told Snowball Esports. “We knew we were better but just played awfully on the day.

“That week we also had me on hitscan and thk on projectile which we thought was good, but in the end it wasn’t, so over the past two weeks we put me back on projectile and thk back on hitscan and really grinded it out. In the end, it paid off.”

Working in the Thai DPS has been easier than expected for Winter. Having worked alongside Korean and Pacific talent like Dreamer and Nyang last season, bringing in thk helped them fill out some depth in their squad, even if there’s a little language barrier.

“Incorporating thk has been really easy for us as he’s really given his all to learn English through lessons and convos with us all. He’s also really friendly and fits into our environment really well as he’s not afraid to have some banter.”

Doing what’s best for the team, instead of trying to flex his mechanical muscle, has also been the path Winter’s taken throughout his career. He doesn’t see himself as the player to pop off anymore, instead making sure that his teammates can get the spotlight, and ultimately do what gets the team the win.

“After gaining experience throughout my whole career, I’ve turned into more of a stepping stone for my teammates to carry,” he said. “I like doing the stuff that doesn’t get appreciated, and doesn’t get the big reactions from the casters and the fans, but rather what leads to those moments.

“I have spent the last three seasons being the IGL for my teams and I feel like that has given me further knowledge on how I analyse what’s going on in front of me. I can’t 1v6, I’m not as gifted as players such as ckm, Signed, and Jordation.

“I’ve developed into a more ‘What can I do for the team, not what the team can do for me’ player. I don’t get those big pop-off moments that go in montages and highlight reels, but it brings the team wins, and wins are what matters.”

After locking down the 50 points for making it to the grand final, they were hopeful to try and double it. However, they couldn’t contain the beast that is Ground Zero, with Winter noting that the now two-time Contenders bracket winners look unstoppable.

“GZG have been ahead of the pack these past two weeks,” he said, “however I think the bans have favoured them. They’ve had Adam on his signature D.Va pick, although beating them just comes down to who plays better on the day.”

Among the carnage though, the Drop Bears did find a weak spot in Ground Zero’s armour on Watchpoint: Gibraltar. A strong defense snowballed into a good offense, with SDB stealing away their perfect week in the second-last map.

ggs @GroundZeroOCE 3-1 loss, almost got to map 5. Was a really fun game and we have definitely improved since last week. Here is me getting a shatter so fat I fucking choked up. pic.twitter.com/GIH2yZczts

— Minny (@Minny_OW) March 16, 2020

They caught Ground Zero by surprise with Hanzo, Baptiste, and Sigma, three heroes that might not have seen play if it weren’t for the hero bans. With Winston out of the picture for Week 2, along with Lucio, dive comps have been a bit stunted, and bunker made a short brief rise.

Sydney Drop Bears’ flexibility allowed them to work around these bans, and played around Ground Zero’s Torbjorn strategy perfectly.

“Hero bans are decent for us as we have six really flexible players on our line-up,” said Winter. “It’s more about finding what works best for everyone and then seeing how that matches up against other teams.”

When the rematch eventually comes ?— which Winter is sure will happen ?— Sydney Drop Bears won’t be caught off-guard again. They’ve only got Ground Zero in their sights, and they’ll fight to try and reclaim their spot at the top.

“GZG are our only threat and we are not worried about anyone else.”

In the week’s other action, Mindfreak cemented their second straight 3-4th result with a loss to GZG in the semi, while NoWeaver only managed to rack up 35 points after making the grand final in Week 1.

Athletico were knocked out early in the bracket by Paradigm Shift, while Warriors fell short of their first top four berth once again. ScrimBux and X69GAMING rounded out the rest of the top eight, securing 20 points.


Overwatch Contenders Australia will return in May. Open Division will take place in the coming weeks, with eight spots in Trials up for grabs.

You can follow Winter and Drop Bears on Twitter

Produced by Josh Swift

Andrew Amos

Andrew Amos

After joining Snowball in mid-2018, Andrew "Ducky" Amos has fast become one of our region's best esports writers. Cutting his teeth in Oceanic Overwatch, he now covers all kinds of esports for publications globally. However, his heart still lays at home, telling the story of Aussies trying to make it big.

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