Sico leaves Grayhound after five years

Oceania's best team has parted ways with its longest-standing member.

Grayhound have parted ways with Simon "⁠Sico⁠" Williams. The team announced this on Twitter, thanking the 29-year-old New Zealander for their time together.

"You're a genuine legend and lifelong friend to us and our region, we wish you only the best of luck with whatever you choose going forward," a statement on Grayhound's Twitter said.

"I can't put into words how good of a friend and teammate Simon is," Alistair "⁠aliStair⁠" Johnston, Sico's teammate of nearly four years, added. "I've been blessed to play most of my career in different teams with him and it's always been a pleasure."

Through several iterations of the roster that has competed under three different organizations — Grayhound, Renegades, and ORDER — the 29-year-old had been a part of the Australian-majority team for nearly five years.

Throughout most of that time the team maintained a position as by far Oceania's best side, regularly dominating local competition and earning spots at a plethora of international events thanks to that status, including all five Majors since StarLadder Berlin. Their regional success rarely translated to international competitions, though.

Sico was statistically one of their best players at the beginning of his tenure, but a transition away from the AWP combined with taking up in-game leadership duties on and off caused his level to take a dramatic turn for the worse over the past few years.

"Damn, what a ride it's been playing for GH/RNG over the years. It's gonna feel weird not being with the boys, not gonna lie. I knew this day might come when I took the risk to transition to rifle. When dexter left we had to figure some things out and sacrifices were made," Sico said in regards to his departure and changing roles over the years.

With Sico's replacement yet to be unveiled, Grayhound now have the following roster:

Joshua "⁠INS⁠" Potter
Alistair "⁠aliStair⁠" Johnston
Jay "⁠Liazz⁠" Tregillgas
Declan "⁠Vexite⁠" Portelli

Erdenetsogt "⁠erkaSt⁠" Gantulga (coach)