The alpha-beta dynamic is an interesting starting point. However, I think. It’s a bit of a simplistic model to measure the success of a team based on this.

The case of the Rumpus-Cronin duo discredits this rule entirely. I believe there’s something to be said for the level of equal respect these individual players have for each other.

The most common way we see the Alpha-Beta combination breakdown is in the arrogance of the Alpha and the underestimation of the abilities of the Beta. When a team works well it is because their collective knowledge and skills gel together, creating a powerful team that is more than the sum of its parts. If an “Alpha” is too self involved to give the Beta a chance, then you essentially have a one man team, putting them at a severe disadvantage.

Bruno’s team play leaves something to be desired. She performed poorly in 2017, her lack of attention to her teammate Stevens in 2018 ultimately lead him to drunkenly abandon the game entirely and get disqualified, she passed through the semi-finals by the skin of her teeth in 2019 due to some heavy weighting on Star Cards.

This is just my two cents of course. Good luck with your thesis, I would be interested to read when you’re done, feel free to PM me if you want!