Western Whalers harpooned in HK

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Posted by rrburns 1749 days ago under News
Riggsy swoops on the loose pill on the grandstand wing
HAPPY VALLEY: The Dragons opened the season with a convincing 48 point win over the visiting Western Whalers.

The Perth veterans side, despite a sprinkling of youthful additions to the squad, put in a determined effort but an opening salvo from the Dragons was never overhauled and a five goal last quarter to the home side sealed the deal.

The last time these two teams met was at the Bali 9s in October 2002, and the Dragons scored a five goal win. The 2007 edition offered a similar result.

On the tight confines of the Happy Valley training ground, the match was reduced to ten-a-side, ensuring a high-scoring and quick encounter. The Dragons controlled the midfield through the ruckwork of Ray Wood medallist Don't-Call-Me-Nath Byrnes and high-leaping Salty and some stellar service from ruck-rover Besty and effervescent rover Stuchy Junior Burger.

With a large bench, players were rotated regularly. Colin Mitchell and Shannon Morgan took their turn in wreaking havoc through the corridor and ensuring the Dragons gave Coach Winesy a win in his debut at the helm.

The Dragons had too many avenues to goal, with Riggsy, Mallia and numerous others chipping in up forward. Longhair 'Falcon 500' Mallia kicked the sealer but was left to rue missing out on a big swag courtesy of some silky passes from back-pocket specialist and author of this match report, Bogan.

The Whalers fought their way back into the game courtesy of some late first quarter goals and a good second quarter. But the Dragons had the greater depth, showed greater desperation and had more run than their opponents.

Chinese poster boy Matty Wu and team newbie Matt both got their hands on the pill frequently, Patrick Duffy popped up and Rob Caldwell presented up forward.

While the Dragons had some lapses that gave the Whalers a sniff, the Dragons walked away from a good hitout satisfied at with the foot skills and endeavour.

Besty collected the man-of-the-match award and both teams warmed up for Rugby 7s weekend madness with a trip to Lan Kwai Fong.

Highlight: Besty burst out of the centre in the third quarter, evading three Whalers while doing Harlem Globetrotter tricks

Lowlight: Doddsy's banana kick at goal

Go to Match Results, Game Writeups and scroll down to Bali 2002 for match report from the 2002 encounter with the Western Whalers

Note: Photo gallery to follow once the Whalers post us some quality pics by their photographer

Craig 'Bogan' Francis

Dubai poised to sheikh up Asian Champs

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Posted by rrburns 1752 days ago under News
The former Collingwood and Sydney player clocked up almost 200 AFL games. Here he eludes Warren Tredrea.

The Firebreather has learnt that Dubai is poised to take part in its first Asian Champs and will not be content to merely make up the numbers. It is rumoured they will be sending a quality side that includes 2005 AFL premiership season player with the Swans, Andrew Schauble.

With a player of that calibre the Dubai Heat will be a side to be reckoned with. An inside source in the Middle East sheikdom said he would be working alongside "a few others
that played a good grade back home".

A further indication of the team's seriousness is that the Bangkok tour is fully funded by sponsorship dollars, or dirhams.

The Gulf is now home to numerous Aussie rules outfits.

Dubai this month staged its inaugural Dubai Cup in a nine a side competition involving seven teams.

The Dubai Heat went undefeated, beating teams such as the Doha Kangaroos from neighbouring Qatar, and local sides Satwa Swans, Dubai Celts, Airmiles Hawks, runners-up Dubai Dingoes and Clann na hOman/Abu Dhabi United.

The trophies were presented by another footy legend, 1980 Brownlow Medalist Kelvin Templeton from Footscray.

If, as expected, Dubai send a side to the Champs it will provide the Dragons the opportunity to play against a standout defender of the past decade.

For over a decade, Schauble had been a consistent player in defence for both the Collingwood Football Club and the Sydney Swans. After being struck down by injury in 2004 and struggling to recapture his solid form, he was restricted to only 8 games in 2005 and struggled to break into the young Sydney lineup. Following Sydney's premiership win in 2005 (which he was not a member of) Schauble retired from professional football at 28 years of age.