July 29
More than 100mm of rain was dumped on Hong Kong on Saturday, forcing the abandonment of the second instalment of the Cats v Demons intraclub match.
Although regarded as a winter sport, the Dragons appear to be enduring an ancient Chinese curse that demands they play all their footy games in 35-degree heat and 98 percent humidity, and miss out when it gets a bit cool and wet.
Players should take note that the website was updated as soon as Saturday's match was canned and be reminded to log on to check the situation online whenever rain or typhoons are threatening. This is particularly relevant when training resumes at Happy Valley.
July 22
The Dragons will be sending a squad to Jakarta next month that has been forged under the white-hot heat of the blacksmith's hammer. Or, at the very least, under the blazing tropical Hong Kong sun.
To their credit, 18 unwavering Dragons took to the freshly-cut Mission Rd cooch for an unforgiving session of tactics, drills and skills under the tutelage of a similarly freshly-mown Riggsy.
With his clean-shaven chest radiating a mirror-like sheen in the sunlight, coach Rigg coordinated a series of drills that required a theodolite, compass and homing pigeon to work out. t was all very Gerard Neesham but the boys eventually cottoned on and some slick work was completed.
Much of the emphasis was on putting in the second effort after giving off a handball or pass. The unavoidable conclusion was that players simply had to stay switched on and commit to some extra effort after offloading the ball, rather than stopping to take a bow to the crowd.
With such a healthy turn-out on the track, it doesn't serve this column to single out individual efforts, although Feeney's efforts with the whole-body lady shave were worthy of note.
Saturday's training also marked the final session before this weekend's all-important intra-club match between the Blues and Cats at the same ground.
"It is really important we get 15-a-side sort of numbers down this weekend. We don't to be playing 9-a-side or anything," urged tour manager Farmer.
Team lists can be found under the headline and news sections of the website.
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July 15
It was hot...hot and wet. That's alright if you're with a woman. It's no good if you're at footy training.
But ten Dragons were not perturbed by the inclement conditions. The reality being, if weather is going to put you off training, it's time to go back to those domestic leagues in Australia and bow out of international football.
The Dragons took the yellow ball and put themselves through drills at the far end of Mission Rd, focusing on getting the body behind the wet pill.
While the triangle work was completed with zest and panache, the goalkicking on the run drill was seemingly completed by a group intent on securing a spot in the backline. Shallow Hal and Gribble slotted one each for a combined group tally of about 2 goals 23 behinds.
A shirts vs skins handball footy match rounded out proceedings to the delight of the sole female spectator.
"A bunch of guys with their tops off writhing around on top of each other in the mud. If you were women it would be on pay tv," exclaimed Lisa Francis (nee Parry).Session four, March 12
Training this week saw a return to the kind of numbers the club is aiming for this year.
In the scratchy, Stuart for the Dragons jumpers kicked a bag and showed strength in the goal square in one-on-one contests. Coach Macca was of course vocal and gathered a plethora of touches. Tiddy managed to show some class for 'the rest', as to did Bryso, who managed to haul in some marks at centre half forward.
Shannon again showed flair and skill around the ground and Mallia forf the second week running managed to sneak through a few goals from some fine mid field delivery.
The courageous Jackel showed promise early, before an
untimely kick off the ground in a pack ended his session. The result was a bruised ankle but fans of The Enforcer can rest assured he will be fit for the upcoming tour.
Light rain cooled off proceedings, and a contingent of Dragons retired to The Jockey for a few ales and exchanged what one would assume exaggerated recollections of
their former playing days.
Once again, fresh faces were there in abundance among the 18 on the track. In AFL parlance, the Hong Kong Dragons could be said to be in a rebuilding phase after the disappointment of losing the 2005 Asian Champs title. But given the team's strength on tour and at home last season, the football department will be eyeing the new talent as a chance to fine-tune this quality engine rather than perform a complete overhaul.
Among the more established names in the club, including the bulk of the current tour line-up, it has been a small core of players at training regularly. Many of the household names of Hong Kong football have still yet to surface.
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Gold stars on the forehead for turning up go to: Sam Gribble who took the session, Tony, Duffy, Archer, Lips Kerr, Boges, Dave 'the Badly Drawn Boy' Hardy, Colin, Graham 'Max' Merrett and Sam Mrad.
July 1
Mission Rd resembled a potter's kiln Saturday, where more than 20 players pressed for selection in this week's Dragons sides taking on Singapore and China.
As the squad honed its skills and finessed its touch, President Byrnes-eye could only manage offer enchilada farts and spew-in-a-burps as the heat exacted its toll on his heady nocturnal lifestyle.
The living entity that is the squad was divided up into its organs, with ruckman and midfielders, forwards and backmen all working on their set plans. Capt Burbs was displaying his silky skills, while Stu Walker had made the supreme sacrifice of taking time away from his quiet holiday in South Lantau.
New recruit Andrew Jess made his presence felt, while Graeme and Tony earned plaudits for their outstanding sequence of training appearances that will surely reap dividends around the selection table.
Shannon, Stutch and Col continue to shine, and Farmer's absence ensured the drills were sharp.
Rumours swirling around the Dragons camp hint at Bogan losing his long-standing slot in the back pocket for missing training, although it could be argued (by this writer at least) that his being in Australia, being stuck at work on weekends and flawless efficiency in nullifying opposition forwards would render him a certain starter (lest he vent his revenge on selectors with a series of tell-all tabloid exposes).
Finally, we found all the goal posts and base supports so we do not have to use broom handles anymore.
June 24
With ten blokes braving the heat and MTR to get out to Mission Rd on Saturday, training options were fairly limited.
The focus of the session was on that often overlooked part of the game - kicking goals.
Awards for most improved kicker went out to Faulks, Lips and Salty. The latter was described by one astute observer as "moving from a stabbing kind of action to a gracious full arc."
Ian Allen trained well and former Dragon and now Sydney resident Sam Greenland paid a visit and had a kick, reminding everyone of what we're not missing!
The team is preparing for the July 8 tri-nations series against visiting China and Singapore.
June 18
Training this week saw a very good turnout. Hot and sweaty session with a big focus on talking to your team mate, leading and calling for the ball at the right time and kicking skills. Riggsy took it and was very demanding of voice and passion for the ball. All in all a good session but we will need people to really focus on their game and improve finess if we are to win on the 8th July.
Training is unavailable at the Happy Valley sandpit as it is caked in horse manure and left to bake in the sun for a couple of weeks. Training this weekend is at Mission Rd (see main page training advisory for details).
June 11
A big turnout in the slosh, as the boys got a handle on wet weather footy.
June 4
Focus on technique
This week's training focused not so much on the one percenters as the 25 percenters. Coach Rigg took the Dragons through one their most informative, productive, technical and fitness-based sessions in recent Dragon memory.
The focus on skills coincides with the July 8 tri-series against the Shanghai Tigers and Singapore Wombats. The Shanghai boys are coming down a week earlier than originally planned to join the Wombats in HK.
Fifteen blokes were on the training track and a few others were trotting the sidelines putting their various injuries through a gentle workout. The weather was pleasantly cool with the drizzle holding out for most of the solid two-hour workout.
The first obvious innovation involved the end-of-exercise sprint. At the comp-letion of each drill, the last player back to the huddle was sentenced to push-ups. This quickly negated the need for any calls of "jog it in lads". Long-time Dragon, Man, was back on the track for his first run in a year or so and was particularly pleased with the timely new emphasis on fitness. So much so he ensured a few push-up drills came his way to help kickstart his fitness programme.
The usual kicking and handball drills took on a similarly focused vein, with more sit-ups and push-ups meted out for dropped marks and miskicks. Standards lifted noticeably.
The Dragons have fallen down in a couple of key areas oif the game of late and the push is now on to iron out the flaws. Three areas that were targeted last night included crumbing, positioning to receive a handball and making the second effort when the ball is coming out of our forward line.
Coach Rigg dished out the advice and some fresh new drills bought a real spark to training. Defending and attacking mini-squads were put through the drills, with the forwards focusing on crumbing and the defenders on closing them down. Mistakes were pointed out, and the exercise reperated until we got it right.
Every Dragon present left training an improved player. Everyone who wasn't there should get there this week. Despite not playing the much-loved scratchy, the session was a lively and refreshing step up in pace and a good workout tactically and physically.
The Dragons also welcomed a new boy down to the track, Geoff, who has been playing in the BARFL for North London.
May 14
Good turnout for first post-Thailand run
Around 20 guys showed up to training in the first training run since the successful Thailand tour. With Coach Rigg away and captain Burbs nursing a hangover, a similarly hungover President Byrne took the reigns for the session.
After a few drills, we had a short game of 10 a side with two 12 minute halves. Of note was big Jamie Liddle in his first session of the year who provided plenty of run out of the backline. Less notable was Matt Feeney's unnecessary agressiveness towards the men in white.
Some of the boys finished the session with a few beers at the Jockey bar where we bumped into Singapore Dingbat Andrew Taylor (who is rumoured to be moving to Hong Kong over the summer).
Next up is the internal game at Tin Kwong Road on 20 May. The ground has a full cover of grass, so it should provide for an enthralling encounter.
April 23
The final training run before Thailand, conducted under lights, saw 24 Dragons take to the dustbowl of Happy Valley. The creeping desertification of the verdant fields of a few weeks ago is now threatening to engulf Hong Kong.
And so, in the blinding dust storm, the two dozen Dragons were put through a series of drills. The was no scratch match, just a solid series of drills focusing on the basics, with the Tigers never far from our minds.
Pres. Byrne was at the helm, and he was like a nymphette locked in a roomful of eunochs - never satisfied. No matter how much the lads put in, the prez was calling for more and rallying them to lift and refocus.
Tour manager Farmer also revealed that player numbers had been pared back for the tour, due to the late withdrawal of a handful of Cathay pilots and others with work hassles. A more manageable playing squad of 26 will now take on the Tiges, while about 35 will make the tour.
April 9
The Dragons produced their best performance on the track for the year Sunday afternoon, with a squad of twenty-plus putting on a display more worthy of a crowd of thousands, than the handful of joggers and tai-chi ladies fortunate enough to bear witness.
In a timely reminder of just why the Dragons ascended the pinnacle of Asian football two years running, the squad sent a chilling reminder to Thailand Tiger spies in the deep recesses of the Happy Valley three-tier grnadstand that the side is ready to bounce back in 2006.
Led by new vice-captain Burbs, slick footwork, firm hands and a slew of one percenters (talk, backing-up...) typified the circle work drills, while the scratch match was marked by hard-at-the-ball endeavour and close manning up.
The team has also secured more new signings this year than adultfriendfinder.com. This week was no exception, with a couple of Treasurer Corky recruits and the club's first signing under the father-son rule.
Among the latest crop of first-year draft players, Nige had the job of shutting down veteran tall timber and international man of mystery, Dicko - a job he handled with aplomb. Tim, also playing for Whites, presented himself well at full forward. Although he spilt a few chest marks he'd liked to have taken on the lead, he caused enough headaches to the Blues backline to show definite potential.
One of the more exciting finds of the year could prove to be Dwight Stuchbery - son of former Dragon administrator Gary. The 25yo showed his commitment by training in his first week in Hong Kong and his sublime passing skills and Hird-like poise could see him challenge for a berth in the highly competitive midfield. Held kickless in the first half of the scratchy by back pocket genius Bogan, Stuch was 'dragged' to the Blues midfield where his silky training skills benefited from the lack of close attention found in a forward pocket.
The Whites won the game in something of an upset. Fielding more new-bloods than the experienced Blues, the win, although it may have slipped under the media radar, could provide the selectors with a refreshing dilemma when choosing the starting line-up in Thailand later this month.
There is no training this Sunday due to the Easter break. One final hitout on 23rd before the tour.
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April 2
There was no training this week due to Rugby 7s but anyone with some gossip and who did what and how messy it all was should drop a line to media@hk-dragons.com
Session six, March 26
Play abondoned due to rain.
Session five, March 19
This week's session started out with the weily veteran Winesy stepping into a leadership role, taking the fifteen players on the deck through a warm-up session akin to Oz Aerobics, as seen on ABC Asia-Pacific. Clad in gold bikini, he instructed the team to "warm up some of the forgotten muscles". Perhaps aimed at the tour in just a month or so's time.
"This one involves some unusual contortions, reach high now, stretch that Tensor of Fascia Lata, deep into the adductors now..." and on it went.
In the first trainig run of 2006 in the Post-Macca Era, President Byrne took the troops some a series of drills, most of which enabled himself and Rob Caldwell to stand around taking the ruck knock before the rest of the squad completed sprints the length of the field while moving the ball with precision and speed.
Circle work completed a very solid session, that saw the team moving the ball well. Among those showing some special poise and precise kicking were Paul Wilson, Big Bad Barry Hall, Leroy, Bryso, Simon Dodd (pictured, aka the crazy gunman from Diehard), Taity and Matt.
Chris Yee, a veteran of Hong Kong Dragons trips to Darwin and beyond in the late 90s, also made an impressive return to the the fold.
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Session three, March 5
In a slightly underwhelming overall effort, eleven blokes fronted up for training on March 5.
The possibility of rain loomed large throughout the afternoon but rarely has a winter sports specialist been able to use the mere threat of rain as an excuse to opt out - so maybe it was something else. Prizes to be awarded for best excuses emailed to media@hk-dragons.com
After a couple of drills under the tutelage of staff seargent Macca, a five versus six game was instigated. Dragons jumpers were represented by Matt Feeney, Paul Mallia, coach Macca, Riggsy and Ian Allen (pictured on main page). It marked one of the few occasions Rigg has played with a shirt on.
Non-Dragons jumpers were Bryso, Corky, Simon Dodd, Matt Campell, Sam Gribble and Shannon Campbell.
Rebounding from a debilitating hamstring injury that kept him out of the Asian champs last year, Gribble warmed it up by doing a few laps with his expecting wife Anita around the Happy Valley infield before training.
The more experienced jumpers line-up took the honours, with a midfield so slick, Longhair Mallia was able to bag a haul of six or more goals.
For the nons, Corky was a tireless worker displaying a lot of G&D, Campbell was vigorous at the ball and Morgan's slick disposal and aerial skills were a welcome addition to Dragons ranks.
The second half of the game was marked by some light drizzle.
A collection of players later rewarded themselves with a stint in Wan Chai.
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July 22
The Dragons will be sending a squad to Jakarta next month that has been forged under the white-hot heat of the blacksmith's hammer. Or, at the very least, under the blazing tropical Hong Kong sun.
To their credit, 18 unwavering Dragons took to the freshly-cut Mission Rd cooch for an unforgiving session of tactics, drills and skills under the tutelage of a similarly freshly-mown Riggsy.
With his clean-shaven chest radiating a mirror-like sheen in the sunlight, coach Rigg coordinated a series of drills that required a theodolite, compass and homing pigeon to work out. t was all very Gerard Neesham but the boys eventually cottoned on and some slick work was completed.
Much of the emphasis was on putting in the second effort after giving off a handball or pass. The unavoidable conclusion was that players simply had to stay switched on and commit to some extra effort after offloading the ball, rather than stopping to take a bow to the crowd.
With such a healthy turn-out on the track, it doesn't serve this column to single out individual efforts, although Feeney's efforts with the whole-body lady shave were worthy of note.
Saturday's training also marked the final session before this weekend's all-important intra-club match between the Blues and Cats at the same ground.
"It is really important we get 15-a-side sort of numbers down this weekend. We don't to be playing 9-a-side or anything," urged tour manager Farmer.
Team lists can be found under the headline and news sections of the website.
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