The former THUNDER dOWNUNDER squad, now playing as Off Chops, will attend two LANs this October in Brisbane with the team successfully back on board for DFRAG Invitational.
15 teams entered the DFRAG Invitational last chance qualifier on Oct. 12, with the winner of the single-elimination bracket receiving the last spot at LAN — the spot that originally belonged to Off Chops before they were forced to drop out as they were without a core-three that signed up.
But re-qualify they did, taking down Devious (13-4) and StaQued (13-6) before overcoming ex-Arcade Esports in the final best-of-three 2-0 (13-8, 16-13).
The win means Eddie "viridian" Azzi and co. will play at both Logitech G Pro Series and DFRAG Invitational in Brisbane this coming fortnight. Off Chops was forced to forfeit their ANZC Locals Spring spot, which ended the team's chances of making it to back-to-back majors.
The IEM Cologne reps had a single-digit chance of making it to Singapore before the loss of the core with Alistair "aliStair" Johnston, Tyson "asap" Paterson, and Tynan "TjP" Purtell all accepting offers to play overseas.
Even with two upset tournament wins here in Brisbane, there simply aren't enough points left for Off Chops this time around. That said, their performances at the LANs could catapult them into the next season, with the eventual goal of making it to Buenos Aires in 2027.
Regardless of how tumultuous the past month-plus has been for the squad, where there's a will, there's a way. Off Chops, with stand-in fifth Damon "damyo" Portelli, hits the server for Logitech G Pro Series on Oct. 15.
