Coach Wines up against the 2004 vintage Philippines Eagles.

The Asian excitement machine that is the Hong Kong Dragons are set to embark on one of the great regional tours, when they travel this week to Manila for a five-team tournament.

The Dragons leave Friday to take on the Manila Eagles, and teams from China and Malaysia on May 31. It will be the thrid time the club has landed on Philippines shores, the first being in 2004 when the Eagles defeated the Dragons in their very first international. The following year saw the Dragons head to Manila for the Asian Championships, where they were confident of securing their third consecutive crown. The team could only struggle to fourth place.

So cometh 2008 and a chance to put together the club's first worthy performance on the exalted soil that lies across the South China Sea.

The Dragons are sending a contingent of about 34 tourists, some of whom are even playing in the 12-a-side tournament.

For those not in the touring party, tune in to the website over the weekend, where we will hopefully be able to bring you breaking news of the scores by Saturday night.

For those touring, be instructed to visit the Club Info/Club Song section of the website. Learn the lyrics or be answerable to veteran tour Finesmaster, Harty.

Rules
All players need to take notwe of some of the rules specific to this tournament.

1. No score will be registered if the ball is kicked from outside the 35 metre arc and passes thru the goals or behinds. If this does happen, the ball will be kicked in just as if a behind had been scored. If a player takes a mark within the 35 and needs to go out of the arc to take his kick, he is permitted to have a chance to score.
2. At each centre ball up/throw up, there must be no more than 4 players in the centre zone of the ground and no more than 4 players in each attacking and defensive zones. Once the ball leaves the umpires hand, players are free to move out of or into any of the 3 zones.
3. At any ball up/throw up or boundary throw in, there is to be no more than one player from each team to contest the hit out.
4. Without umpires, there is no game. No matter who is umpiring, respect must be to be paid to the umpires. Any abuse against an umpire will result in a 25 metre penalty.

Times: Each game will consist of two 12-minute halves, with a six-minute half time. The grand final will be 15 min halves and a 10-minute interval .

Team buses leave the hotel at 8am Saturday morn. First game is at 9. The Grand Final is at 4.20pm.

Auskick started on May 10

Auskick starts
Auskick is an international programme to develop and promote participation in Australian rules football amongst children, and has proven to be popular with both boys and girls. Hong Kong kids aged five and above can now take part. Auskick coordinator, Peter Dahl, can be contacted by email to: aussierules_hkkids@yahoo.com.au

Peter said, "Things are coming together, finally. We started registration on Sat 26th April and had our first practice on Saturday, May 10 at Happy Valley racetrack infield on the far rugby pitch. We welcome all to join us and registration can be done any Saturday you turn up. The only restriction on age is school attendance. ie reception /prep. "

The season will be at Happy Valley until mid-June then Kings Park until end August/ early Sep, with July off for holidays. Unfortunately we lost half the season at Kings Pk due to renovations, hence the split in locations. Kings Pk should be great for 2009 with all synthetic pitches and upgraded facilities.

Auskick is sponsored by Hard Yakka and Allied Pickfords.