The Bridge on the River Kwai

Not since the 1957 movie starring William Holden scooped seven Academy Awards will the province of Kanchanaburi, home to the Bridge on the River Kwai, have seen such an esteemed cast place their town under the international spotlight.

The Thailand tour has taken on special significance, with the announcement that the clash between the Dragons and Tigers is to form the basis of a professionally produced DVD commemorating the Anzac weekend.

Visual arts company 4Reel will be filming the match, along with the Anzac dawn service and other events planned for the huge weekend of sport and remembrance.

In a production to rival anything conjured by the likes of Channel 7 or Fox Sports, 4Reel plan to preview the game with complex tv graphics of the respective team's line-ups, complete with player photos and bios.

"The finished product will be as good as anything you'd see watching the [AFL] grand final or any nationally televised sporting even," said 4Reel director Brett 'BJ' Prentice.

The tour will see the Dragons make the first foray into the Thai hinterland, travelling to the province of Kanchanaburi, home to the Bridge on the River Kwai, Hellfire Pass and the Death Railway.

Of slight concern to the Football Department is the request from the movie industry powerbrokers for a live recording of the Dragons anthem. In order to ensure a PG rating and subsequent success at cinemas around the world, the family-friendly version of the club song may need to be trotted out.

A strong squad is already a certainty. Players are reminded to pay their fees at training this week to ensure their eligibility to tour.

THAILAND TOUR ITINERARY:

Fri 28 April:

Those on group flights meet at airport express in Central at 4.30pm.
Flight CX703 to Bangkok departing at 6.40pm, arriving 7.55pm.
Those organising their own flights to make their own way to Bangkok, and if staying at the team hotel, check in on arrival.
The hotel will be paid in advance, so only expenses such as mini-bar and room service will need to be paid when checking out. Hotel details below.
A bar will be arranged for all to attend and watch the AFL.

Sat 29 April:

Bus will leave the hotel for Kanchanaburi at 9.30am. All people staying elsewhere to make their way to the hotel by 9.15.
Bus will take up to 3 1/2 hours to Kanchanaburi.
Game at Kanchanaburi at about 2.30pm.
Beer and BBQ after the game.
Sat night a dinner on a boat is organised on the river Kwai.
Sat night accommodation is organised for all at Kanchanaburi and is twin share due to the lack of available rooms.

Sun 30 April:

There will be some kind of ANZAC service in the morning. Details to follow.
The bus will leave about 10am and take us back to the hotel in Bangkok.
Jungle Jims and Soi Cowboy is arranged for Sunday afternoon / evening with the Tigers.

Mon 1 May:

Flight CX712 to Hong Kong departing at 4.10pm, arriving 7.55pm.

Rooms and Payment:

Last date to confirm your accommodation is 22 March.

Bangkok accommodation on 28 and 30 April is at the Ambassador at 171 Soi 11, Sukumvit Road, Bangkok. One room per person.

Tour cost is HK$3,200 for flights and acccom, $1,200 for accom only, THB2,500 for accom on Sat night only.

Pay to the account at HSBC number 502 413594 838, then e-mail reference number/advice to Michael Robertson at tours@hk-dragons.com

Bustling Peter Kenny - the Dragons could have their own Barry Hall

The second training session for season 2006 saw 23 blokes turn out at Happy Valley for the afternoon training session.

The second run for the year saw a step up in intensity after the cobwebs were cleared with a light session the week previous.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was the fact training started punctually at 4.30pm, with the warm-ups and pre-session lap completed by the time the usual kick-to-kick sesh had gotten underway.

Outgoing coach Macca took charge and introduced a couple of new drills that put the emphasis on kicking long, crumbing smart and running hard to make the play.

Another encouraging sign for the year ahead was the strong turnout yet again from the new-bloods. About a dozen new faces have hit the track and shown early promise.

The skins-shirts scratchy was pretty evenly balanced. A string of players were deserved of praise on the Dragons website (and its potential global audience of 3 billion readers).

Salty was a revelation in the ruck and worked hard, the ageless (well, 47 we're told) Winesy displayed the dash of man a third his age and the Jackal warranted a medal for going in so hard after a famously huge Saturday night. Anyone who missed training after a big night should be having a good long hard look at themselves.

The grunts have brought fresh legs and attitude into the camp. Among the crop of FNGs who put in a good session were Paul Wilson, Stuart Blieschke, Ian Allen and Andrew Scott (pictured on main page). New recruit Dale also acquitted himself well after drawing one of the toughest assignments in Asian football in his debut scratchy, up against back pocket specialist Bogan.

New grunt Lee 'Lenny' Pilgrim brought form and enthusiam to the track

Special mention also to Barry Hall lovechild (or more likely, father) Peter Kenny, who in the fading light of the arvo looked very much like the big Swan, complete with prodigious kick and elbow to the throat of an oncoming Lipps.
The former Singapore Dingbat will be keen to further hone the kicking radar and stake a claim up forward.

Avid supporters in the stands were also shocked to see the recently retired Dicko don the boots for a spell, before a "tight hammy" saw him join long-term injury prospect Farmer (ankle) on the sidelines.

As the Thailand tour draws nearer the incentive to claim a spot on the team should see numbers swelling further on the track.

In other news, plans are afoot to start an intraclub Sunday comp, complete with a draft night on Anzac Day. Stay tuned to the website for more on this one.


Craig 'Bogan' Francis