To play or not to play? The Darren Jolly Test

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Posted by rrburns 1939 days ago under News
 
India and Natasha: depends how good he is
KOWLOON: On a day when 400 footy fans converged on another sell-out AFL grand Final function, the Hong Kong Dragons sought to unearth just how dedicated we are to the game we love.

How far would you go to play in a grand final in front of 100,000 fans? Sydney Swans ruckman Darren Jolly had to weigh this up in the lead up to the big day. With his wife due to give birth to their first child, Jolly announced to a stunned nation that he would be present for the birth of the child rather than play in the granny.

While it seemed the noble gesture, we had to find out whether the rest of us could forgo personal glory long enough to make the same decision.

So the Dragons' resident wordsmith strolled the packed ballroom of the TST Holiday Inn to conduct The Darren Jolly Test.

Monique says footy is not an option
To the ladies of the house we asked: Would you demand the presence of your husband by your side for the birth of your first child or would you insist he play in the AFL grand final?
To the men we asked: Would you play or would you be bedside?

Here's what the ladies had to say about the matter.

India Durnin and Natasha Saffery - It would depend on how good he is. If he's going to be a star player then I'd probably let him play but not if he weas not going to get a kick, said Natasha. India was sympathetic to the footy but said "I might make him be there at my side because I'd probably be scared.
Kelly Hughes says go for it

Kelly Hughes - If it's your first grand final I'd letr him play because I think that is what the kid would want you to do.

Grace Bolger - I'd let him play because then I could say your dad is very famous and kicked balls around while you were being born.

Ellie Nicolay - I would absolutely make him be at the birth. My best friewnd actually drove me to the hospital for the birth of my first, Angus, because hubby was at the pub.

Sophie Warner - I'd be watching my man on the big screen while screaming in hospital.

Tanya Kenda - He should be at the hospital. Football will come and go.

Jess Mathew - If he was playing for the Swans it'd be ok if he played in the game but for any other team. But then again, I haven't been in labour so i can't really say.
Diplomatic Paul Mallia would ask the Mrs for her opinion. Kirsty and Elizabeth opted for bribery.
Kirsty Jacob - He can play. I couldn't care but I'd be wanting a nice big diamond at the end of it. (Friend, Elizabeth Phillips, agreed).

Elizabeth Corcoran - If we were planning on having more children I'd let him play. But I'd try crossing my legs!

Monique Moloney - He'd better be there with me. There's be no way he'd be playing football if I was giving birth - no matter what baby it was or what grand final.

Grace - Is the grand final a big game?
So, with a few exceptions, our sport-minded women were largely supportive of the big game. But what about our sensitive new age Dragons. Surely they'd put football aside for such a momentour occasion as the birth of the first-born.

Thommo (aka the Big Ticket) - I would not want to play in the grand final but I would do it for the good of the child. My kid would want a Dad who played in a AFL Grand Final so I would do it for them.

Corky - You'd have to play.

Farmer - When your child is 20 years oldand telling his mates his Dad missed a Grand Final because Mum said he had to, then the kid would think Mum is a cow.

Big Ticket (upon further reflection on the subject) - How about if you had a medical facility at the ground? You could maybe come off for a quarter. (TV presenter) Christie Malthouse could do a commentary on the delivery.

Stuchy Snr - I'd play in the Grand Final and my wife would expect me to. She understands what competitive sport means. Three of my kids were born on a Sat'dy morning and each time I played in the afternoon.

Chris Nicolay - An AFL grand final, I'd play. I nearly missed Angus' birth because I was at the pub.

Paul Mallia - I'd have to ask my potential wife.

Shane Sibraa - A lot of people play an entire career without a Grand Final. You'd have to play.

Joe - Could you get your wife a hospital ward close to the MCG? Well, for the first child I'd say i'd go the kid.

For more photos of our respondents and the Big Day, check out the photo gallery on the website (Dragons in Action, AFL Grand Final 2006).

Craig 'Bogan' Francis (who would like to play in the Grand Final as well, although his wife Lisa doesn't quite see it like that)

Firebreather Edition to October 6, 2006

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Posted by rrburns 1950 days ago under News
Eagles fans Tanya and Alessio (6) Kenda had much to rejoice about

THE FIREBREATHER

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"Hit me. Hit me again. Hit me one more time, but harder."
Villain of the month, Salty, demands his own punishment from fellow Dragon, Farmer, after it was revealed the former had promoted an alternative Grand Final event to the detriment if his club's gala event and major fundraiser for the season.
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Roaring success
The Dragons 2006 Grand Final function was a massive success, with 400 punters in the ballroom of the Holiday Inn, TST on September 30. The one-point win to the Eagles in the closest GF since North Melbourne and Collingwood drew 30 years ago had everyone standing in the dying minutes.
Jointly hosted by the Australian Association and the HK Dragons, the event is one of the club's major fundraisers for the year. Record bar-takings and solid merchandise sales ensured the club had as big a day as the Eagles. Photos from the big day are on the website gallery collection.
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Baby Dimsum
High-flying specky-merchant Nick Hyland and lovely wife Christine announced the arrival of Baby Nicole on 3 October, 2006, weighing 7 lb 4 oz. For reasons the Firebreather has yet to ascertain, they have dubbed her Dimsum. The Dragons wish them both well and hope to see Nick at training this Sunday.
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New photos
Go to the Jakarta photo gallery to check out the latest additions to the collection.
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The get-rich-quick form guide
Goodes has saluted the box, judges have given correct weight the Brownlow is his. Freo and Adelaide have been pushed aside. Time to grab your tickets for the annual day of days: AFL Grand Final 2006. All the details are on the main page of the website.
Food for thought: Last year the Swans went the long way through the finals, An Eagle won the Brownlow and the Swans lost a close to the Eagles before winning the flag. This year has been the opposite - so far. And ... for the past 11 games the the two teams have alternated wins and losses, with Sydney winning the last one by a point. All signs say the agles. But go the Swans (paying $2.30) says the Firebreather. Judd is favourite for the Norm Smith ($5). Dean Cox ($12) picked up 12 Brownlow votes and represents value - the Firebreather likes Brett Kirk ($15). You want a mad outsider? Eagle new boy Mark Le Cras polled a vote in the Brownlow so the umps know who he is. He's at 201/1 to win the Norm Smith. Just a thought.

Eagles fans wish Michael O'Loughlin all the best for the finals series

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Tour date change
The Shanghai tour has been put back one week at the request of the Shanghai boys. It will now be played on December 2.
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Budgie sings
Check out the latest player profile from that marvellous songstress, Ian 'the Budgie' Allen. The five game veteran talk us through his big day in the limelight at Manuka Oval.
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Ya Gotta know when to hold em...
Winners: Ronnie Bertoli, Big Ticket Thommo
Losers: Graeme Rigg, Pres Byrne
A monster card night at the Pres' house came down to a final hand of Texas Hold-em between Two Aces Rigg and Two Twos Bertoli. The Rigger was strutting his stuff before the hand was completed. Not a big Kenny Rogers fan, our Riggsy. Snake Bertoli bit him hard with a three-of-a-kind and bagged the 4G up for grabs in the final contest of the night. Riggsy's potential nappy fund ended up going over the bar in Wan Chai.
Big Ticket bagged himself a 4G haul as well, with a couple of bets against the Pres during the first rounds of the finals series. Not a good year for our Geelong man.
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Training winds down
A handful of fellas pulled themselves away from the DRUBBING being dished out to the HAPLESS Pies in the ONE-SIDED FLOGGING at the MCG last Sunday arvo to go training. Congratulatory pats on the bum as you jog past the following Dragons that got down for a loosener - Pat Duffy, old man Winesy, Pres Byrne, Ian Allen, Jarrod Tidd and a bloke who apparently looks a lot like Capt Burbs, new recruit Al 'The Jazzman' Curtis. Unclear whether he plays with the clarity of his ochestra-leading namesake but the Dragons will offer a hearty welcome to the HK newbie. Training now goes into hiatus until October 8 while we sort out a new AFL premier.
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We believe you
This is Matty Campbell's alibi, sorry, explanation for missing his JKT flight back to Honky.
"Alive and well ! Was unable to make the early flight due to a prior engagement. Made the quick call to Cathay and got on the 3 o'clock flight for an extra 700 honky, which enabled me to fulfil my prior engagement."
ED: Prior engagement eh. Eagerly await further info at the pub on that one.
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Sightings of Matty
An email has just gone out to Matty Campbell from the Firebreather seeking the full story. He is apparently alive. Alleged sightings have poured from Melbourne, Bali, Bangkok, Uruguay and Bhutan.
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Media mentions
The Dragons were mentioned in the Sports Briefs of the SCMP on the day of the Champs (August 26), with the result published in the same column on Sunday, September 3.
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Dragon MIA
MISSING PERSONS NOTICE: MATTHEW CAMPBELL - approx 79kg, 188cm. Last seen at 4.30am in a decidedly dark Jakarta nightclub. Was wearing dark blue dragons tour shirt, shorts, thongs. Failed to meet team members for return flight to Hong Kong at 8am, August 28. Authorities regard his disappearance as out of character and suspicious.
REWARD OFFERED: Any information relayed to media@hk-dragons.com leading to his detection will be eligible for a reward of one Dragons stubby holder.
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The great avenger
The Dragons offer hearty congratulations to the rigg family on the arrival of a 3kg hrealthy girl, Sienna. Sienna arrived the day the Dragons endured their worst ever Asian Champs, offering solace in the thought that in their darkest hour the great avenger was being born.
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Insight into the mind of a Dragon
Check out the latest batch of player profiles on the website. And if you aren't up there yet, cut and paste the questions and email to media@hk-dragons.com
Also, if you know any former players, get them to email an answer sheet from the past player profile or let Firebreather know their contacts.
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DROP PUNT US A LINE
We're always keen to hear a candidate for Quote of the Week or Excuse of the Week.
Or have you got any goss' you wanna spread, news tips we simply have to know about or cries for help that need an audience? Drop a line to media@hk-dragons.com
The editor will guarantee confidentiality, while ensuring no-one threatens us with libel or physical retribution.

Tickets selling fast for AFL Grand Final

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Posted by rrburns 1954 days ago under News
Western Derby: A scene you won't witness at the MCG for at least a year

KOWLOON: The Holiday Inn in TST again plays host to the Grand Final live, big screen spectacular to mark the culmination of AFL season 2006.

The day is one of the feature events on the crowded Dragons calendar and is a sell-out each year.

Presented in conjunction with the Australian Association, it is also one of the club's main fundraisers for the year.

Each year is a sell out and this year will be no different.

The day gets under way at 11am and goes through until 6pm. To read about the effect that can have on you, consult last year's website report at:

http://www.hk-dragons.com/news_details.php?article_id=SUQW4GX-GWBDQVO-AJ67RX4-4HD2HM9

To get there, it's the Holiday Inn Ballroom, 50 Nathan Rd, TST.

Prices: $290 AA members, $320 non-members. Buy on the day and it's more expensive.

Contact Carole Laird at office@ozhongkong.com or on 2530 4461.

We have a huge auction so If your company is good enough to provide a prize to raffle off (anything from wine to ipods to gift vouchers to world cruises) then please email social@hk-dragons.com or call Mr President on 6034 1204.