Deuce and newbie Rio

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Email president@hk-dragons.com with any club news or gossip from around the lair.

Deuce bags number 2
Former Dragons off-field superstar Deuce Bigalow (aka Garry Frenklah) has become a second-time father. Young Rio came in weighing 3.28kg. "All doing well, at least until Jake realises he is no longer the center of attention!" said Deuce of wife Kyoko and family.

With one child born in HK and the other in Singapore, sibling rivalry is guaranteed.

The Bali Geckos consumed the East Timor Crocs with a flick of the tongue in Saturday's inaugural Crikey Cup international match at Marrara's TIO Stadium.

The Geckos trailed at half-time but found their feet in the last two quarters to win running away, 7.9 (51) to 5.4 (34). The match marks the much anticipated launch of AFL Asia, with associated programs like Auskick to encourage young people to take up the Australian game.

Full newspaper report: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/06/16/58765_ntsport.html

Insurance coverage
The Dragons have now finalised arrangements for their extensive insurance package with Friar Park AIA. All players (to max of 43) are now covered for games and training both away and at home, as well as third party coverage for the club.
Adelaide Cellar Door wines and Meatmarket.hk have also joined our other loyal sponsors this year, namely Fosters, Bulldogs and Compelite.
Players can support their club by supporting their sponsors. Take a couple of minutes to visit meatmarket.hk and register for their truly essential service. Sign up and take a look at the best range of food of the best quality and price. Tell em the Dragons sent ya. Meatmarket proudly support the Dragons through their weekly $500 raffle donation.
Quicksilver have also offered some recent support and talks are underway to formalise a sponsorship arrangement with this prestige brand.

Race day
The Dragons coterie enjoyed a stunning day at Sha Tin Races recently, with the the crew cutting an unexpectedly fine picture in the private box. Winners abounded throughout the day and Woody's punters club ignored the early hecklers as it sat out the early races. A win for the group on the back of a firm favourite opened the floodgates and the longer odd runners started to storm home. A huge win in the 10th and last on the card set the panama hats sailing into the air. Wads of cash were distributed and larger sums plonked on the bar in Wan Chai to end a champion day.

Training times
Securing real estate for our weekly outings is no easy feat, but kudos to the committee (namely Stuchy) for locking in Happy Valley for our training for the next couple of months. So pen these Sundays into your diary - every Sunday 6pm through until June 21st (except for Manila weekend of course). Two training runs before we tour. Get down this weekend like 34 others did last session.

Manila tour confirmations
With Malaysia announcing this week that they will be unable to tour to HK (as had been penned in for July 25), the chance to grab some international football experience and honours in Manila becomes an absolute must.

The Manila tour departing May 29 is locked and loaded. Fares are booked and accom is being finalised as we read. Full cost info will be out this week. But you need to confirm now.

While the Dragons troops marked ANZAC Day in HK in reverential style, President Bogan completed a tour of duty to the Battlefields of P Burgos Street in Manila. Philippines Eagles President, Fat Cat, confirmed the Dragons would field two (evenly divided) teams in the competition against the home side and visitors from Malaysia and China. The Dragons will be defending the title won last year.

To secure your spot on one of the best-attended tours on the itinerary, email tours@hk-dragons now. Fares are rockbottom now so this the cheapest option of the year. If possible, indicate if you will be flying with the team or arranging own flights and/or hotel. If you have a preferred room partner, also stipulate this.

Footnote: Given the Prez bagged three majors before half time in the PAFL ANZAC match, after 56 games for two goals with the Dragons, there could be a few claims being made for midfield and forward roles. Those at training will be rewarded with the most game time.

Due to the rapidly changing Swine Flu H1N1 situation, the Auskick committee have decided to cancel their session for Saturday, 20 June.

Apart from the obvious media, School and Government notices, there is justifiably some concern among our parents and coaches. The Committee therefore took the only reasonable step and suspended Auskick.

Those on the Auskick email roster will receive notification next week, however in all likelihood Saturday the 27 June will also be cancelled.

Auskick will resume in term 3 on Saturday, 1 August and finish in late September.

"Many thanks for your support to date and we hope that August/September will see a successful and uninterupted finsh of the season," said coordinator Peter Dahl.

The Australian International School, meanwhile, has also closed due to Swine Flu until further notice. One parent and 26 more Australian International School students have tested positive.

Will makes a big spoil (earning himself an Out-of-Character Rising Star nomination)

Manila: The Hong Kong Dragons retained the Manila Cup from a competitve field that included the home side, China Reds and Malaysia Warriors on the weekend (May 30).

The Grand Final was played out between the undefeated Dragons and Warriors, with the blue and reds running out comfortable winners 9.11-65 to 1.2-8.

The lopsided result disguised the unmistakable rise in standard by the Dragons' opponents on the day.

The Dragons had met the Warriors in the first game of the day, with both sides slightly unsettled due to their unusually early Friday night build-up. Both teams imposed voluntary curfews that ensured hangovers weree hard to locate Saturday morning. The Warriors' leaked internal memos made no secret of the fact they were there to knock the Dragons off their perch. But the Dragons had all the answers and a dominant midfield display, tight backline and opportunistic forward line ensured victory.

The China Reds presented probably the highest hurdle of the day, with their player of the tournament Blackie leading a well-honed outfit strong on passion, height and skill.

The Philippines was the last game of the day. The home side had been competitive all day but had lost their other games narrowly. The dragons were methodical in conditions that should have deprived them of such skilful use of the ball. In driving rain, HK strung together impressive unbroken passages of play to run out comfortable winners.

Rentboy earns his contract salary

The Dragons fielded two teams during their successful title defence.

A unique selection policy that ensured every Dragon got to play in the eventual winning side was employed throughout the day. A core of eight players got valuable match time together with the remaining six places in the side rotated evenly throughout the day amongst the rest of the squad.

The second side, the Darkside Dragons, comprised those not in the anointed eight and varied throughout the day. Any thoughts that the Dragons might provide two powerful sides were dashed, with the Darkside failing to register a win but playing hard competitive footy throughout.

Once again it was the intraclub derby that brought out the best in the underdog squad. The year before, the Darkside led most of the match and almost caused a boilover. This year the top side retained control long enough to lead by a couple of goals at half time and to stretch that lead by a similar margin due to a better conversion rate.

Mals and Jonno look goalward in the Grand Final

A thriller and effective preliminary final late in the day in the wet saw the Warriors complete a major comeback to defeat China by four points, with a boundary line snap seconds before the siren getting them through to the big one. But their race had been run.

The evening presentation at Howzat Bar saw Jonno awarded leading goalkicker for his ten-goal haul. Player of the tournament was collected by Malaysia, China took mark of the day against the Dragons, goal of the day was by the Malaysians.

President Boges

NOTE: Photo Gallery, results can be found under Game Write-ups/Photo Gallery section of website.