Awards Night - Due to overwhelming public demand, the venue for this Friday's Dragons Awards Night has been changed to the larger Bulldogs Wan Chai.

As well as honouring the great and good of Hong Kong Aussie Rules, guests will have the chance to win a week's accommodation at the fantastic Niseko Fresh Powder Apartments in Japan. Other splendid prizes will also be on offer.

So, the red carpet has been vacuumed, the trophy cabinet polished with Brasso, the tuxedos and formal evening wear dry cleaned. The momentous Hong Kong Dragons Awards Night is just days away.

The annual trophy presentation night is on Friday night, November 28, at Bulldogs Wan Chai from 7pm onwards. The club will crown the 2008 Dragons B&F with the Ray Wood Medal, while trophies will be presented to the Leading Goalkicker and Best First Year Player amongst others.

Club founder Ray Wood now resides in Perth and had intended to be in Hong Kong to present the award but regrettably is unable to attend. He did send his blessings to the club.

"It's obvious the Dragons have enjoyed a great year - fantastic - and with the best yet to come of course. I was very much hoping to be able to attend this year's award function on November 28 but unfortunately a current family situation means I will have to put that off until next year," said Ray.

"Please pass on my apologies and also my warmest congratulations to the winner of the "Ray Wood Medal" and all other 2008 award recipients."

Ralph - no stranger to pain (vs UAE, 2008 Champs)

Ralph Wheeler, the utility player with the impeccable kicking action, has made a late and impressive bid for most unfortunate player of the year award. With the season all but over, a couple of light Dragons training sessions were held before the planned China tour (before it was cancelled by the China contingent). Diligent in his preparation, Ralphie (as he has come to be known) was one of the players on the track for the penultimate session of the year at Happy Valley.

Sadly for Ralphie, he somehow contrived to do the dreaded ACL and is now setting himself for mid-next year.

"I ended up having to get an MRI done on my knee last week. The results show a "high grade" tear of the ACL which basically means it is holding on by a few threads... The good news is the surrounding cartilage seems to be okay," said an ever-optimistic Ralph.

"My plan at this stage is to see how it fares up when I get off crutches and all the swelling goes down. Then I can decide whether or not to head to Oz to have surgery in the new year. I'll then come back in March and do a few months with Faulks to rehab and build strength. Hopefully I won't need surgery at all if I can help it," he said.

Scenic Yangshuo was to host its first ever Aussie Rules game.

Sadly, we report that China has pulled out of the tour to Yangshuo/Guilin. Their excuses centre around the failure to lure any of the Beijing or Shanghai players to tour, with the local contingent in Yangshuo alone insufficient to warrant a tour.

I apologise to anyone who has structured there plans around the tour and can only say that the Dragons had done everything possible to make it happen. Flights were confirmed, the committee had put the blocks in place and enough Dragons had put their hand up to tour.

It is a disappointing way to end our year, especially in light of the inability to host a game in HK this year as well for reasons beyond our control.

So we now turn our attention to the end-of-season awards night. Keep November 28 free.

A committee meeting will be held this month to get planning underway for next year. The aim is to put our tour plans in place early in the year and to try to attract a visiting team (or two) in mid-2009. Also, should anyone wish to take on a committee role, please email president@hk-dragons.com

The Beijing Bombers extended their apologies and offered to host the Dragons next year. The fledgling Yangshuo Yobbos also expressed the hope the tour could be reorganised in the future.

Their correspondence follows:
Beijing Bombers:
"Sorry to say but I have given it a final push over the weekend to no avail. Despite my best efforts I have not had one person from Beijing or Shanghai put up their hand. Seems that the Y3000 price tag from BJ has scared everyone off so soon after Shanghai. Its also been a massive year for us with Manila, Olympics, Singapore, International cup fundraisers and games with the chinese boys, and then the icing on the cake with shanghai last weekend. On reflection it was a bit presumptuous for me to think I would get 10 to Yangshuo at the end of the biggest year ever for our club.

I have to apologise to you and the Dragons for letting you down like this, the interest you guys have shown towards this dream of mine to get footy started in Yangshuo has been fantastic. If Scotty is still keen on getting a group of Yobbo's together to play you guys it will be great, although I'm gonna be pissed I cant be a part of it.

I have also not been successful in drumming up any support in Shanghai as they have their big international rules decider against the Irish on the 15th and seem pretty pumped for that.

We have a BARFC committee meeting soon where we will discuss this. We have definitely learnt some lessons about how much we commit to. Hopefully we can make it up to you guys by hosting you to a great weekend in Beijing if you are able to travel up sometime next year. We have now hosted 2 full scale 18 v 18 games games here on our great new ground in Beijing and would warmly welcome you all to come and see for yourself the great strides we have made in developing footy here over the last couple of years, and while you still may have a slight chance of beating us before we start dominating the whole of Asia!

Best regards,
Keysy.
Beijing Bombers

From Yangshuo:
Unfortunately I really think we wouldn't be much good for you. Basically we are just a mix-matched group of ex-pats, a few Aussies and a few other randoms who were keen for a run around and a bit of fun. We were really following Grant and the Bombers lead on this one, I'm afraid without them we really wouldn't be much use.

Moral of the story is mate that I don't think we could pull together enough of a team for a decent match with you. I do strongly believe that there is a future for a regular HK vs Bombers/Shanghai match in Yangshuo though and hope you guys can co-ordinate a plan for next year.

.................................................
EARLIER PRE-TOUR REPORT:

The Dragons final tour of the year will take place on the weekend of November 15 in scenic Yangshuo (near Guilin) just an hour so flight from Hong Kong. The Dragons will play a combined China side on an historic footy tour.

All interested tourists should immediately email Tour Manager Stoochy at tours@hk-dragons.com to indicate their intent to be a part of this truly unique tour.

The Dragons will take on a combined China side featuring players from the Beijing Bombers, Shanghai Tigers and the fledgling Yangshuo Yobbos, comprised mainly of expatriate climbing tour operators.

This will be the last chance to tour for the year, not to mention the last chance to accumulate votes for the coveted Ray Wood Medal for the Dragons best player of the year. All players on this tour are also guaranteed plenty of quality game time.

Details about the format of the matches, hotel accommodation and flight times are being finalised but the club requires players to immediately declare their intention to tour so as to waitlist flights etc.

Yangshuo is a county in Guilin, Guangxi Province, China. Surrounded by karst peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River (漓江) it is easily accessible by bus or boat from nearby Guilin (65kms away). Over the years, it has become popular with foreign backpackers.

And as an added advantage in the wake of the global financial meltdown, this will be one of the cheapest tours we have undertaken, with Guilin just an hour away by plane and hotels expected to cost less than HK$150.

Get on board for the last tour of the year, to our ever-friendly motherland.

Woodsy (right): actual footy photos were hard to uncover.

Firebreather (FB): How long you been a Dragon?
Mark Wood (MW): I arrived May 2006, and was a member by June of that year, although I was a little late to get going with touring - work in that first year sent me around the world.

FB: How many tours you survived?
MW: Three tours; Thailand Champs 07, Manila Cup 08, Singapore Champs 08.

FB: Fondest memories?
MW: On home shores it would have to be the Beach Party, which is certainly not an event to be missed. A definite highlight of the year. In only its 2nd year already attracting keen diary enthusiasts to commence pencilling. Honourable mentions to this year's Ladies Night and the AFL Grand Final Day.

Away I would have to say the Manila Cup was a fantastic tour. We got the win and had a ball off the field. A really good place to tour as every sticks together, and more Dragons together usually means more laughs. More speeches than a
Greek wedding on the bus back to the airport Sunday. Harty was appalled!

The Rigg v Byrne "I'm not angry, just disappointed" tour. However the tennis/banter between these legendary Dragons on the bus ride home was exceptional. Please remember this bus ride was minus booze, but included
fire. Still rates as one of the greatest tennis games of the modern-era. Hats off to Capt Rigg for a straight sets demolition of the somewhat past-it Nathan 'feet of fire' Byrne.

FB: Whose the best player you played with?
MW: Besty - on and off the ground. He never dropped a mark. Fantastic with members of the opposite, feeding off his crumbs on the dancefloor was gold.

FB: How many more good playing years do you have left?
MW: Zero! Didnt have any to start with. You think I would join the committee if i could play? I can't play, so i have to contribute somewhere. Highly likely to stuff up being a committeeman as well.

FB: That's encouraging. Preempts my next question, which is, what fresh ideas are you going to bring to your club in your new role?
MW: Not sure yet... But reckon we need CREED

FB: What IS your new role?
MW: Still waiting to be told. I think I'm on the social committee, which is good. Though i would prefer one of these modern AFL terms. Director of Football Operations has my name all over it.

FB: What's with the weather/Phil thing?
MW: Angry Dragons are the worst kind of Dragon. When one Dragons feels he's getting a hard time, he makes its his priority to make sure another is feeling worse. Baby Dragon was given the unfortunate nickname of Jose with a slient 'H' by another vertically challenged Dragon. Jose didn't take kindly to said nickname, but wasn't able to come up with anything for the offending Dragon. So he directed his ire my way. I was giving weather reports (see above where i need to contribute something/anything) on Singapore before the champs each training session leading up to departure. Jose said it reminded him of Phil Toinby (yes, who the hell is that?) off Fast Forward. Now sorry kids, I stopped watching Fast Forward about one week in, so I have as about as much of an idea as the rest of the group. Jose loves it though, wets himself everytime.

With regard too being expert lifeguard / Olympic Volunteer / tweaking hamstrings and hearts / Port Adelaide loving South Australian - all true

FB: Tell us a little bit about the exciting world of shipping.
MW: Want to charter a ship? Come and talk to me. I only do the big ones though.

Training, Sunday, November 2

The last training run of the year was light workout with a small squad of players. We look forward to next year and hope to build upon the record numbers we had at training in the early part of this year and at midweek sessions in the latter half of the year. Thanks to Coach Wines for his tireless leadership on the track and to all the players who made 2008 a very enjoyable year.

Training, Sunday, October 26
The Dragons returned to the training track yesterday with three newcomers making an appearance. Making le debut was a Frenchman, Greg, as well as Brent Lister, Steven Smith (ex Perth and Japan) and David Kulkor. Wayne was another relatively new guy making an appearance. Kudos also to regulars Caldwell, Lips, PK, Will and Winsey, whose hamstring showed he is ready for a China tour return on November 15.
Training again this weekend. See homepage for details. Same time place. Final days to nominate to tour - email tours@hk-dragons.com to advise of your plans.

Wal tries to get the centre clearance away

Midweek gets underway
Midweek training in the lead-up to the Champs is on at Happy Valley this week, Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7.30pm, meeting at exercise mats (behind canteen/change rooms). On Sunday the August 10, at 3pm, we will be back to weekend skills sessions (firstly on the astro turf at Happy Valley) and then from Sunday August 17 we will be back on the grass pitch at Happy Valley.
The Dragons will also revert to Wednesday night skills sessions to lead us into the Champs on September 6.

Training, Sunday July 20
The second successive big turnout at Sandy Bay saw the Dragons put in a solid scratch match hit-out in fierce heat. More than 20 blokes were on hand in trying conditions on the fantastic artificial surface.

After a series of drills and token warm-ups, it was into a four quarter game of skins and shirts. Among the highlights were Deano's efforts in the ruck in preparation for Thailand, Mick's dry-reaching at half-time as he tries to regain fitness, the efforts of about four new lads on the track at their first training run and the return after a very long time of Dragon veteran Rob Caldwell, who is setting himself for the last tour of the year.

There is no training this weekend, July 26, due to the Thailand tour. Times etc for the next session will be announced shortly. The Asian Champs in Singapore are only five weeks away so we will be lifting the tempo post-Thai tour. If you intend to stay with the team for the Champs, advise by email to tours@hk-dragons.com immediately.

Players were this week also handed their Friar Park (AIA) insurance cards.

Wet weather should not dampen our spirits

Training, Sunday July 13
A heartening response to the Dragons rallying call for numbers on the track after a couple of quiet weeks. More than 20 members were at the ground this week to enjoy an astrturf surface surprisingly close to the real thing and significantly better than Happy Valley, which remains closed for renovation work

After the obligatory kick throughs and handball drills, it was into a lively two-on-one drill end-to-end before we got into a lengthy and competitive scratch match. Captains Crites and boges chose their teams and in a close call with noone really paying attention, it was likely the Crites line-up that took the honours. Some more new lads on the track performed credibly, Ryan, Carl (who will be on the Thai tour), Abs and second-week down for Dee, who defied his rugby roots to put in a strong game in the ruck. Troy Harris, who makes the trip from Macau each week (take note, those of you who think Sandy Bay is a bit out of your way) worked hard and Bowski tried to take the game up to Big Hughie (aka The Mongoose).
Lips took a screamer in the air but missed the set shot, while Tom Stonier also reeled in some great grabs up forward. Boges slipped in a sliding smother into charging pack for some kudos, while Doddsy, Wally and Mick teamed up superbly along the flanks for the winning side. Play of the day was a sublime passage that saw hugh win the tap-out to Simo who simply volley-flicked it into Mick's hands, who drilled the kick to Wal' , who goaled. the ball hadn't touched the turf.
Thanks as well to Daz, who dragged his healing leg around while umpiring.
Training this Sunday at the same venue, but at the earlier time of 2pm - 3.30pm. Bring the Mrs and kids and they can have a run around on the sidelines or nearby ovals.

Call to arms
For a club that prides itself on toughness, the post-Manila period has been below par. A junk trip hangover and a bit of rain seems enough to put most members off. Get ya sh-t together fellas. Training this weekend. 5pm, University of HK, Sandy Bay Rd (tell the cabbie: Sha Wan Drive), Sandy Bay. Rain or shine.

Thailand tour is just a couple of weeks away and the club really must lift if it thinks it has a remote chance of winning the Asian Champs. Singapore have 40-60 players training in the rain at the moment. The UAE get similar numbers in mid-summer temps of 48 degrees.

DRAGONS - show the heart this club prides itself on. Get down to training. If in any doubt training is still on, check the website which is updated on the day if there is a problem or call the Prez on 90282758. We started the year with record-breaking numbers but have let it slip of late. Regroup and fire up.

Training, Sunday July 6

Only half a dozen made the effort to get to Stanley Ho Sports Ground on the weekend. Doddsy, Boges, Will, Big Dave a couple of Auskickers, Russell and Lucian, and a new recruit at his first training run Dee Senaratne, a Sydneysider new to HK and keen to play and tour.

Despite the low turnout, the boys put in a full-throttle session inthe rain. Sprints preceded an exhausting hour of 'half-court footy', an exercise we plan to repeat and adapt in coming weeks.

View of training from the third tier of the packed grand stand

Training, Sunday June 29
Despite rain and the previous day's revelry, a small assembly of Dragons gathered at Stanley Ho to go through the paces. Among those on the roll of honour for turning up on a sodden afternoon after a Dragons junk trip were Coach Wines, President Boges, Jarrod Crighton, Will, Rent-boy, Doddsy, Tim, Big Dave, Lips and new recruit Tim Maudson. Coming from Sydney, Tim was having his first crack at Aussie Rules after a career spent playing a game where you get a goal for falling over in the right place. To those who opted out with a hangover - SOFT! Not the ethic this club was built on. As Chopper would say - "Harden the f-ck up."

Training, Sunday June 22
A scorching session in extreme heat with a commendable turn-out on the track, given the appeal of a day at the beach instead of hard yards on the training track. A solid 24 guys fronted up and despite the heat, put in a fast and furious session marked by good use the voice and loads of tireless second efforts. A new Stoochy drill started slowly before picking up when familiarity registered. A few new faces were on the track too, including another Dave and Tro Harris from Macau, who made his first ever trip to HK for the session.

Training, Sunday June 15
Conditions mild, surface beachy. Another session with numbers hovering on or just above 20 after a couple of weeks off for the Manila tour and next week's recovery. A fairly light session with a focus on drills that moved the ball through the corridor. In the wake of torrential rains, the pitch resembled a damp, sandy river bed.

Training, Sunday May 25
The quality control officers could hardly have been more pleased with the Dragons effort on the track in the final weekend session before the Manila tour. Skills were precise and the tempo upbeat as more than 20 players went through a series of drills that included circle work, boundary throw-in and centre bounce strategies and a fiesty scratch match. ALL members are urged to get down to Happy Valley at 7.30pm Thursday night (May 29) for final fitness session of 45 minutes and a few beers and team meeting at The Jockey afterwards. Jogging shoes only, no boots.

Training, Thursday May 15, Sunday May 19
With the countdown to Manila in its final days, numbers at training were perhaps a little disappointing. About a dozen on the track Thursday night for a session that revolved predominantly around simple kicking/running drills and working on the basics.

The Dragons latest training drill - learning how to sit on the bench.

Sunday saw about 20 Dragons take part in a good quality scratch match. As usual, there were a few new fellas on the track and some returnees. Among the newbies was a potential gun full forward who, although in HK for a month only, is keen to tour Manila. Working hard last night were Jarrod Crighton who was a magnet at the centre bounces, Will (in the Cats jumper) who covered a lot of ground and Mitch. On the whites team, Jonno tried hard, Doddsy put in some hard yards. Capt Bogan tried to implement a 'loose man back' policy to plug the wave of Darks attacks but with mixed success. Some good voice, a bit of shepherding and lots of run were the highlights. Kicking at goal was not. An area to focus on this week perhaps.

Training, Sunday May 12
Despite the long weekend and Mothers Day clash with training, a respectable 20 players still turned out for an energetic run in relatively benign weather conditions. The pace was arguably off what had been seen in previous weeks with drills amongst fewer players taking their toll that much quicker.

In keeping with the variety of training this season, some new drills were included, such as the two on one shepherding exercise and some crumbing exercises. Training is on Thursday night at 7.30pm and Sunday May 18 at 6pm at Happy Valley.

Training, Sunday May 5
It'll only get tougher as the year goes on but Sunday's session marked the first time this season that players had to contest each other and the elements. On a hot day, another solid contingent of about 25-28 players took to the increasingly sandy paddock for a spirited training session.

The previous Wednesday night and Sunday runs had seen some scintillating form on display. Perhaps the heat was a factor, but while endeavour was good the skills were probably more cotton than silk.

Among some of the faces new or not seen too often this year were Budgie, Lenny Pilgrim, Josh Ryder and new boys Brad and Daniel and a couple of others. Special mention to Doddsy for wearing attire roughly approximating footy gear and not some deviate gimp costume. DJ Robbie continues his commendable fitness campaign for the Champs, seemingly dropping a weight-division every week.

On the track some new competitive drills have been added to the format. This week saw some good two-on-two and two-on-one man-on-man drills. The 'race-thru-the-guts' ballwork drill is also proving a popular, with the competitive nature of it adding some incentive to use the ball slickly.

Nico was expected to bring down the kit for those who have paid their subs ($500) but has (seriously) contracted a rare and particularly virulent strain of hand, foot and mouth disease, leaving him an ulcerated mess. He plans to be on the track, with kit, on Thursday night.

Doddsy get a feel for leather - as is his wont.

Week 3, March 23
Easter was no deterrent to almost 20 blokes who got down to training on Sunday. Among some of the newer blokes on hand were Deano, who has shown his commitment early with two dragon tattoos, Chris from Adelaide and big Dave. Mitch got through another run and said there were no signs ill-effect from his broken leg, incurred last season. Doddsy, Stuch, Taity, Mick and numerous others also put in some solid work under the watchful eye of coach Wines. A few long weekend beers at the Jockey followed. No training this weekend due to the 7s.

Week 2, March 16
Nursing a collective hangover the size of Subiaco Oval, the Dragons bravely fronted up for another hugely encouraging training run on Sunday at Happy Valley. More than 20 blokes were on the track the day after the (or in most cases, the same day as) club's first social event of the year in Wan Chai Bulldogs. As well as the 25 or so on the track, a handful of others prospective players dropped in to take a look after finding the club website on the internet.

Among the more heartening sights was the return of Mitch, who missed much of last season with a broken leg. Good to have him back on board.

Training is on again this Easter Sunday at 4.30pm before a one-week break for the Sevens Weekend. Treasurer Nico will start collecting fees as well so bring your $500 along.

Week 1, March 9
The self-satisfied glances cast across the ground by the onlooking club and committee stalwarts Nico and Byrnes-eye, arms folded on the centre square, said it all. Season 2008 was off to a flyer.

You'd probably have to go back to the halcyon days of the early 1990s to have witnessed a bigger turn-out for an an opening run. A similarly impressive turn-out is now a must for the Bulldogs Party night on Saturday (March 15).

For the record, Byrnes was out with 'couch neck', incurred after two days spend lying on the lounge without even rolling over or changing ends. Nico is just aging badly. The only other injury from the training run was Bogan, who is out for 6-8 weeks with a torn finger tendon on his preferred left hand, which is now locked in a cumbersome, immovable splint.

With 22 established and 10 new Dragons doing warm up laps at Happy Valley yesterday, it was indeed the perfect start to the season. With this sort of start and a number of guys still to re-appear, it looks like being another very successful year for the club.