INS: "When you’re always the heavy favourite, there’s always pressure"

Not since 2019 has the Oceania domestic season hosted a best-of-five grand final on LAN, but when Joshua "INS" Potter and FlyQuest step foot onto the proverbial stage later today in Brisbane, they'll have one fewer pressure point to think about.

Their win over Alter Ego in the DFRAG Invitational upper-bracket final all but assured the OCE squad of a spot in the PGL Singapore Major — a spot that was earned in what INS says is one of the toughest seasons he's ever played.

It comes in midst of a major transition for INS; with Alistair "aliStair" Johnston's return to FlyQuest, INS gave up the in-game leader role — a role he's held for years.

But now, INS is unleashed again — or will be, after he becomes accustomed to the new roles and positions he has at FlyQuest. It's a challenge, he said to DFRAG, but one made easier thanks to his teammates and coach Aaron "AZR" Ward.

Today’s win over Alter Ego sees you through to the DFRAG Invitational grand final, but more importantly I’m sure, it just about wraps up FlyQuest’s spot at the Singapore Major. Will there be much in the way of celebrations tonight, or are you saving that for after the final?

“Yeah, I mean, I think it’s a little bit of relief for everyone. We came here with one goal and it wasn’t just the major, it was to win this event and to get some revenge against NEXVOID.

"Obviously we haven’t played them in the final yet, or gotten to that stage, but it feels nice to get that monkey off our back. It takes some pressure off us, I guess."

FlyQuest stuck with the standard perma-ban of Mirage, meaning we saw Ancient — a map that you hadn’t beaten an international opponent on since JiJieHao back at ZHI-TECH Masters. You in particular looked a lot more confident on the map today; talk me through the team’s approach to the map, as well as how you planned to take on the relative unknown that is Alter Ego.

"They played a different Ancient to how we expected, especially on our CT, but I think once we got an understanding of what they were doing, I think we were pretty comfortable. A bit of a slow start didn't help, but I think we just remained calm and just focused on ourselves, really.  

"They're a team who, from what we saw, like to brawl and liked to fight, and we just had to be ready for that. They caught us off at the start, but we came back to beat them, so I was happy with the result."

A week ago we saw FlyQuest fall to NEXVOID in that Logitech G Pro Series grand final. I don’t think that was a result anyone here expected; what was the catalyst for that result, especially after what had been such a dominant domestic season?

"I think there were a lot of expectations for that event. We expected to win obviously, but coming up against NEXVOID, we were up heavily against them in the last map.

"They played a really good style of CS. They kind of booked us to be honest, but we also went into our shells, and we started losing to ourselves. We were disappointed obviously, but we knew we had another opportunity to get revenge and we just wanted to focus on that. 

"Our main problems are still down to a lack of practice. Since we got aliStair, we’ve been playing the same team over and over, we don’t get those different playstyles so we’re not used to some of these teams. That’s what we’re working on at the moment, while the practice is good."

Manager Chris “GoMeZ” Orfanellis said on HLTV Confirmed this week the mood in the FlyQuest camp was "fine", but the mental pressure of the season had crushed you guys a little bit. How difficult has this season been compared to previous seasons, and has it taken a toll on the team?

"It definitely has in terms of CS. I would say we wanted to be overseas as much as possible — we always do. But it’s also nice to be back in Australia with family and friends and stuff like that. It’s a bit of both worlds.

"When it comes to CS, we have that extra pressure to make the major. I think that’s always the big thing, since we aren’t competing as much in international tournaments.

"We have to get those points at DFRAG, and when you’re always the heavy favourite, there’s always pressure, no matter what."
Joshua "INS" Potter, FlyQuest

"I think we’ve done well, though. We’ve talked about it, especially after the loss [to NEXVOID], talked about it and just trying to calm ourselves down during the games and push that pressure away."

This season saw FlyQuest re-acquire aliStair as the team’s IGL with the intention to free you up from the role, but I know FlyQuest is always fluid in how things are called — there’s freedom among the squad to make calls mid-round, that sort of thing. Is there still a chunk of IGL’ing work being done by you, or is it all aliStair now?

"There’s a bit of both. We’re all trying to help as much as possible. When we have a read, everyone’s smart enough to know what’s going on the map. For me, it’s just about finding that balance of when to talk and when not to talk now.

"It’s also about getting comfortable in these new roles. I’ve never played some of these positions on the T-side in my career. It’s gonna take me some time to adjust, and I think everyone’s helping a lot.

"There’s a lot of practice to still do. When it comes to IGL’ing and stuff, I’ll try to control the CT’s as much as possible, but on T-side, I’ll let people have their space and let Ali make the final call."

There was definitely trepidation among fans when you first announced you were becoming the team IGL, even some confusion given many saw you as the region’s next star rifler who needed that space you’d be giving up. Can you summarise how the IGL experience has been?

"I mean, for me, I learned a lot about myself, more on the mental side — just focusing on my mental and trying to keep the guys’ mental up. It's been a bit of a transition going back to just a player.

"We brought in Ali, and he's really good mentally so that's a big help for us, but during the IGL phase I think I probably didn't perform as well as I wanted to. 

"That comes with the pressure of IGL’ing and sacrificing some things — which I was happy to do at the time — but I think it took a really big toll on my mental, so it's a big relief to just give up those duties and just focus on playing because I still feel like I can help as a second caller and just helping people."

What’s the plan for Saturday and the lead-up to Sunday’s grand final?

"I think we'll probably go do some team activities, maybe play some Padel or something, go do some sport and then get lunch or dinner, then review the games or watch the other teams after. But yeah, mostly just relaxing, and then letting coach AZR and Ali prepare for the games."

With the Singapore Major spot all but wrapped up, INS and FlyQuest turn to championship Sunday, where they'll take on Alter Ego in the region's first domestic best-of-five on LAN in seven years.

For more on the DFRAG Invitational and Asia CS2 esports news, stay tuned to DFRAG.gg.