Paul 'The Falcon' Mallia, complete with airbrushed biceps, in dubious pose with teen heartthrob Matty Wu (SCMP photo, in Jan 26 edition)

The City section of the South China Morning Post this weekend (January 26) featured a large feature story on the Hong Kong Dragons as part of its Australia Day coverage. The article, reprinted below in full with featured photo, was a masterstroke in promotion of the team (and a modicum of self-promotion by the media manager).

The SCMP spoke to club stalwarts Craig Francis and Paul Mallia (Boges and Mals) over a few beers (note the skilful insertion of club sponsor's product in the yarn) in Wan Chai.

SCMP, pg C11, Jan 26.
Aussie Rules footie players do it for love not money, mate
By Richard Watt

What better way to find out about the Australian Rules football scene in Hong Kong than to meet two of the most dedicated local players - Paul "The Falcon" Mallia, and Craig "Bogan" Francis - at one of their favourite watering holes?

Both men play for Hong Kong's only Aussie Rules team, the Hong Kong Dragons, and although they like to describe themselves as two of the region's most elite Australian sportsmen, the four pints of beer and the number of empty bottles of Victoria Bitter on their table may suggest otherwise.

"We do it for love, not money, mate," Francis said, referring to playing footie, not drinking in the pub. "But on a serious note, being a member of the Hong Kong Dragons has really made my time in Hong Kong so far fantastic. A lot of the good mates I've made and loads of the good times I've had have been as a result of being in the Dragons."

The Dragons were founded in 1991 and have become a major part of the lives of the 60 regular players and 250 not-so-regular players of the team, providing a social and competitive outlet for Australians and other nationalities to get together and share their love of the sport. They play intra-team matches, but the highlight of the Aussie Rules scene is when the team plays away games.

"By far the best times are when we go on tour," said Mallia, an English teacher from Ballarat, Victoria. "Almost every major city in Asia has an Aussie Rules team and we go to Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Bali and other places. It's all in the spirit of mateship, and being on the tour is really more important than the result. Although, I should say, mate, that we usually win."

Francis, from Kwinana Western Australia, agreed: "The tours are really what it's all about. I've been on about 15 tours now, and every one of them has a special place in my heart. Tours are when we have the best times and play the best football."

Aussie Rules is the most popular sport in Australia, but the team is by no means solely a domain for Australians, as members from Hong Kong, Canada, Ireland, Sweden and Britain are regular players.

"We hold a variety of social events throughout the year," Mallia said, "which can be big events such as beach parties for more than 200 people, and awards nights which are always great fun." On top of this, the tours generally involve a night or two out on the town in the host city.

"Most of our members find out about us from our website, but a lot of them find out from the Australian Association," Francis said. "Someone at the Australian Association told me about the team and I was amazed that Hong Kong had a footie team. Now we have the opportunity to enjoy all the things that Hong Kong has to offer and have a little bit of home here as well."

Mallia said: "Lots of people on the team arrived for the first time in Hong Kong without really knowing a lot of people. But when they joined the Dragons they quickly made a great circle of friends who were like-minded. We all like crossing over that white line and playing a combative sport and then going for a great night out."

Recent achievements include winning the Asian Championships last year in Bangkok, and winning the same tournament in Kuala Lumpur in 2004 and Hong Kong in 2003.

Photo caption: Paul Mallia (right) of the Hong Kong Dragons makes a tackle.
(ED: When asked if he minded being left out of the photo caption, Wu replied it was probably for the best, despite the fact he was first to the ball)

Shannon punishes the Bintangs

Three votes

Very few players have ever had to leave Hong Kong for quite the same reasons as Shannon. The imminent arrival of triplets has meant a return to his Melbourne home town, where he is under the sorry misapprehansion that all the good intentions of family will in some way compensate for an amah.

Always keen to prove that he was more virile than his siamese twin Besty, triplets seem to have put an end to the argument once and for all. Fourteen games spread over a couple of seaons have provided many highlights on the Shannon reel, but for this writer none can compare to the screamer mark from a ride, turn and goal from fifty-five against Malaysia during the Asian Champs in Bangkok. One of the plays of the decade.

One of the more fortunate members of the departing sextet is Patrick Duffy, who has found himself holed up in Manila on a new work contract with Xstrata Philippines. The hairy-armed small man managed four games with the Dragons, including a stellar effort in the wet against Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh. A regular on the training track and social events as well, he is now looking at a career with the Philippine (Folders) Eagles.

Besty psyches up ahead of game one, Asian Champs 2007

A match-winner from his first game with the Dragons, in Shanghai where he kicked seven goals including the game-clincher on the siren. The man has towered over Asian footy and strutted his Zoolanda dance-style across the region.

"I've got a fantastic work opportunity that will see me based in London, Dubai and Sydney in equal portions. Just too good to refuse," he explained.

"I'll never forget the great mates I have made here, the boozy nights - actually 90% of those I can't actually remember - the tours and of course the Asian Champs win. I'm still hoping to play in the Champs this year and maybe another tour. Once a Dragon, always a Dragon."

Craig 'Bogan' Francis