Sunday 5th September, 12:00 noon

Kai Tak Oval, Dakota Drive (off Olympic Avenue) Kowloon City, Kowloon

See the attachment for details: THECHINACUP.pdf or contact his eminence:president@hk-dragons.com for further details

On 5 September 2010 the China Cup comes to Hong Kong for the first time.

From its origins in 2003 when HK played Shanghai in Shanghai during SARS, this cup has grown in significance and five teams will compete for the cup this time – China Reds, Guangzhou, Macau, Hong Kong Dragons and Hong Kong rebel group the Pok Fulam Vikings (arghh!).

The first game in 2003 was almost cancelled due to the onset of SARS meaning several Hong Kong players pulled out of the trip with the fear of catching SARS on the flight to Shanghai.  There was also the concern from the Dragons key man insurance provider that key Dragons powerbrokers (the coach and president) could not fly on the same plane.  However, these issues were all resolved and the Hong Kong boys were able to get to Shanghai and thump the locals by 80 points.

Previous battles for the cup have seen Hong Kong compete against China in Shanghai 3 times and once in Beijing.  Beijing and Shanghai have also played each other several times.

Sunday promises to be a huge afternoon with some good football on display.  The Farm guide would suggest Guangzhou and Macau will be underdogs as developing teams and Pok Fulam to be too old.  Therefore it should be down to the Hong Kong Dragons and China Reds.  The Dragons at home are hard to beat, but the China Reds are assembling a pretty good side in the lead-up to hosting the Asian Championships in Shanghai in October.

Come down to Kai Tak oval and see the big men fly (or stay on the ground) this Sunday!

Farmer

Being international athletes, it would come as no surprise that the Dragons football club has had a few moments with farmous people.  Here is just a snippet:

• Australian Prime Minister.  John Howard appeared at the 2003 Bali 9s tournament which the Dragons competed in.  This was the first anniversary of the tragic Bali bombings.  “Today is a great day in Australian sport.  Matthew Hayden has made a record 380 runs, the Wallabies won their first game over Argentina at the world cup and the Batemans Bay Seahawks have won the Bali 9s”  Mr Howard said before presenting the cup.  Pity it was not the Dragons who won it.

• Hong Kong racing fraternity.  Trainer David Hayes was a long time player for the Dragons.  It may not be that well known that Haysey played SANFL football.  As he will tell you, he kicked a bag of 7 goals in his last game and then retired as it could only go downhill from there.  Damien Oliver once also laced on a boot for the Dragons while in town in the late 1990s.

•  Conroy Chan.  Conroy played a few games in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  He went on to marry Josie Ho (Stanley’s daughter) and is now a famous Hong Kong actor and musician in his own right.

•  Mark Seymour.  Mark Seymour was present at a tournament in Ho Chi Mihn in 1998 that the Dragons competed in.  Mark managed to get on the ground briefly, but saved his best for the night when he got on stage with the band at the post-game function to sing a couple of Hunters classics.  Dragons rock duo Mega and Macca were very impressed!

•  1999 grand final.  The 1999 grand final in Hong Kong was attended by several AFL players.  Matthew Nicks, Scott West, Brett Montgomery and Andrew Thompson.  They were flown up by sponsor Ansett.  Scott West in particular was given a welcome by the club, being called a finals choker (based on their effort in the 1997 and 1998 preliminary finals) by an unnamed Dragon who West promptly sent tumbling to the floor with nothing more than a push in the chest!

•  Barry Cable.  Arguably WA’s best ever footballer, Barry Cable attended the 2005 grand final in Hong Kong sponsored by Steve Douglas from SMATS.  It was good Australian common sense.  While setting up the function room, Barry came in for a chat and showed player Nathan Byrne that he had not lost his handballing skills by sending him reeling with one in the bread basket from 20 yards.

•  Darwin media storm in 1997.  The Dragons competed at the Arafura games in 1995, 1997 and 1999.  1997 is the year that will be best remembered by the media outlets due to the controversial tour t-shirts.  The team runner wearing the t-shirt during a game in front of 2,000 people didn’t help.  There were several letters to the editor of the Darwin Daily and a cartoon that appeared in the paper in reference to it.  The shirt was a black t-shirt with “No Fat Chicks” written in large letters across the front.  What could possibly go wrong?

Club Stalwart Farmer, knocking back a tin while working on the Tan in the famous Darwin 199 Tour - chek the gallery for more pics...

On Sunday 25th July, former Dragons (and one still presently playing) gathered at the MCG as special guests for the Melbourne FC Coterie Group luncheon held in the Jim Stynes Room. While Melbourne blew Sydney off the park, much intrigue surrounded the gathered international footballers.

The luncheon hosted 140 guests. When the Dragons were introduced, a hearty Melbourneske round of applause 'if you don't mind old chum  - well done olde boy - hurahh' welcomed them. As international footballers, the Dragons all took the attention and kudos in their stride.

Club founder Ray Wood and former Dragon Bruce Brown organised the gathering. Woody even managed to dig out  the Fosters Cup won by the Dragons on the 6th June, 1998 against Saigon. This prompted many interested punters at the luncheon to inquire about the 'myth of the Dragon.' Woody was all too happy to endear those who were in his presence with Dragon related tales. While the author of this article recalls listening about certain heroics of the said game, the Carlton Draught took its toll by mid-arvo, hence I'm unable to elaborate any specifics. By all reports Glen Fleisher, Colin Reid, Bruce Brown, Garth Mc Lardie, and John Thompson represented the Dragons jumper with aplomb.

Woody certainly had many tales to tell, another relating to kicking drop kicks against rather ordinary opposition. Perhaps best I retell that snippet another time...........

Gathered on table 10 were members of the now famed (apologies Farm but it can't be 'Farmed' as you weren't at the 2007 Champs) 2007 Asian Champs winning side. In conjunction to Tony Tere and Dale Cooney were several 2007 Asian Championship players; Matty 'I'm Hard' Campbell, Nathan 'Light Me' Byrne, Paul 'The Falcon' Mallia, Chris 'Angry Man' Nicolay and Shannon 'Shags' Morgan. They reminissed about that drawn Grand Final that went  into extra time, with the Dragons finishing the stronger unit against the Bali Gekos by 17 points. Byrnesy was rather emotional (again), reliving some of those special moments.

As the afternoon wore on, much interest surrounded what Garth Mc Lardie had to say about how the Dragons club song came into fruition. Watch this space for an interview with Garth in the coming weeks.

At the conclusion of the function, the Dragons left behind many new admirers and proceeded to stagger across Punt Road to sample some beers at some of the more iconic post football watering holes. Unfortunately, the security staff took one look at the elder Dragon contingent and entry was duly denied.

The Dragons then managed to talk their way into the trendy Precint Hotel - Bridge Road, somehow convincing a flat-nosed bouncer with pursed lips and a kiwi accent to set aside his dislike for international AFL stars and lower the drawbridge to amber fluid heaven.

Special thanks to Ray Wood and Bruce Brown for organising this memorable event. Quite a number of Dragons travelled vast distances to attend this reunion which in itself highlights the strong ties the club has, be it for present and or past players.

I'm already looking forward to the 2011 Dragons Reunion.

If you're interested in attending this event next year, please contact president@hk-dragons.com.

Paul Mallia

Email to HK Dragons president from Vietnam Swans President Phil Johns: 

From: Vietnam Swans [mailto:vietnamswans@gmail.com]

Sent: Wednesday, 21 July 2010 2:58 PM
To: Dunn, Dominic
Subject: Invitation to the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match, Vietnam

Hi Bowski

On behalf of the Vietnam Swans, it is my great pleasure to invite the Hong Kong Dragons to be the first international team to tour Vietnam for the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau (75 minute hydrofoil ride from Saigon), Vietnam.

This year, the Vietnam Swans played an internal match on ANZAC weekend between the Hanoi Hawks and Saigon Saints. It was a stunning success which attracted the interest of the Vietnam Veterans and a crowd of 400. We also managed to successfully negotiate the political sensitivities involved in playing a match in Vietnam on ANZAC weekend.

It is proposed that the 2011 match would be played on Saturday 23 April at the Vung Tau greyhound racing track (where they used to play footy during the War). On the Sunday, a tour of battlefield sites would be organised and possibly a visit to an orphanage. For those who are able to stay an extra day, they would be able to attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Long Tan Cross. Afterwards, we would watch the Collingwood Vs Essendon match at Tommy's Bar in Vung Tau before returning to HCMC. Depending upon when the visiting team has to leave, transport would be organised accordingly from Vung Tau to the airport.

Please find attached a copy of a presentation that was prepared following this year's inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match which should give you a good flavour of what happens.

We really believe that our footy match can play a significant role in the healing process between Vietnam and Australia. Our links with the Vietnam Veterans are strengthening rapidly and they are extremely supportive of our match. If Hong Kong was able to tour in 2011, we believe it will further strengthen these relationships.

If possible, I would really appreciate it if the Hong Kong Dragons could confirm whether they would be able to tour on ANZAC Weekend 2011 prior to Sunday 25 July (in 4 days time). This Sunday, the Vietnam Swans will be having a reunion at the MCG. The Sydney Swans have invited the Vietnam Swans to their pre match function which we have accepted - and we have also invited a dozen Vietnam Veterans to attend who played footy in Vietnam during the War. In short, it would make an ideal opportunity for the Vietnam Swans to announce details of our 2011 ANZAC Match.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me and I trust that the Hong Kong Dragons will be able to make the ANZAC tour in 2011 to Vung Tau.

It will be a cracker, Bowski.

Regards

Phil 

Inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match.pdf

Welcome to our newly re-designed website! The launch of our new website is a big deal to us and we hope you find the changes useful. 

We wanted to overhaul the look and feel, continue to provide up to date HK Dragons News while continuing to provide some entertainment for ye faithful.

New areas of the website we hope you will enjoy include: 

• Dragons Calendar - plan your whole year around Dragon Events; 
• DragonTube - our own YouTube channel we will be using to post interviews with current players, former greats as well as posting game/tour footage; 
• Gallery - regular albums uploaded of Dragons in action.

Please bear with us we are still migrating the data from the old website across.

Full stats, scores and awards from Manila

29 June 2010 All scores:
China Reds 4 2 26 v Malaysian Warriors 4 4 28
Singapore Wombats 4 6 30 v Darkside Dragons 0 4 4
Philippine Eagles 0 3 3 v Hong Kong Dragons 9 4 58
Jakarta Bintangs 4 3 27 v China Reds 5 4 34
Malaysian Warriors 12 0 72 v Singapore Wombats 2 3 15
Darkside Dragons 2 2 14 v Philippine Eagles 5 4 34
Hong Kong Dragons 9 2 56 v China Reds 1 2 8
Jakarta Bintangs 3 3 21 v Singapore Wombats 4 2 26
Malaysian Wombats 8 2 50 v Philippine Eagles 2 2 14
Darkside Dragons 0 0 0 v China Reds 8 3 51
Hong Kong Dragons 7 8 50 v Singapore Wombats 0 1 1
Jakarta Bintangs 4 2 26 v Philippine Eagles 4 2 26
Malaysian Warriors 8 4 52 v Darkside Dragons 0 0 0
Singapore Wombats 0 1 1 v China Reds 10 1 61
Jakarta Bintangs 1 0 6 v Hong Kong Dragons 11 1 67
Philippine Eagles 4 2 26 v Singapore Wombats 3 2 20
Jakarta Bintangs 3 3 21 v Malaysian Warriors 3 2 20
Darkside Dragons 2 1 13 v Hong Kong Dragons 11 4 70
China Reds 9 6 60 v Philippine Eagles 2 1 13
20 1 Jakarta Bintangs 9 5 59 v Darkside Dragons 2 0 12


GRAND FINAL
Malaysian Warriors 1 1 7 v Hong Kong Dragons 6 3 39

Team Won Lost For Against % Points
Hong Kong Dragons 4 0 179 82 218.29 16
Malaysian Warriors 3 1 133 82 162.20 12
China Reds 2 2 162 108 150.00 8
Philippine Eagles 1 3 94 154 61.04 4
Hongila Dogs 0 4 43 185 23.24 0

Manila Cup match results:
Game 1 Goals Behinds Total
Hong Kong Dragons 4 5 29
China Reds China Reds 4 3 27

Game 2 Goals Behinds Total
Hongila Dogs 1 0 6
Malaysian Warriors 4 7 31

Game 3 Goals Behinds Total
Philippine Eagles 2 1 13
Hong Kong Dragons 9 2 56

Game 4 Goals Behinds Total
China Reds 9 3 57
Hongila Dogs 0 0 0

Game 5 Goals Behinds Total
Malaysian Warriors 2 2 14
Hong Kong Dragons 6 6 42

Game 6 Goals Behinds Total
Philippine Eagles 4 3 27
China Reds 8 5 53

Game 7 Goals Behinds Total
Philippine Eagles 7 3 45
Hongila Dogs 1 3 9

Game 8 Goals Behinds Total
China Reds 4 1 25
Malaysian Warriors 8 4 52

Game 9 Goals Behinds Total
Hongila Dogs 4 4 28
Hong Kong Dragons 8 4 52

Game 10 Goals Behinds Total
Philippine Eagles 1 3 9
Malaysian Warriors 5 6 36

Grand Final
Hong Kong Dragons: 7.4 (46)
Malaysian Warriors: 2.1 (13)

After a few weeks of training, a lot of talk about the upcoming season and almost a late cancellation, the action finally kicked off on Saturday 8th May at St Stephen's College in Stanley. A three way competition was organised between the Hong Kong Dragons and two newly formed teams; Pokfulam Vikings and the Macau Lightning.

Assistant Coach Farmer showing the Coach and Captain how it was done in his day - can in hand.

With heavy raining washing away the supposed venue at Kai Tak over night it was some quick thinking on behalf of the Dragons along with some help from the Australian Consulate that got the day back on track. A last minute back up venue at St Stephens College was arranged and thankfully the football could continue as planned. The day proved to be an outstanding success with the festivities being watched by over 100 spectators. Wives and girlfriends all chipped in to make sure the players were stocked with enough food and drinks in the hot conditions, while children played on the ovals and cooled off in a makeshift pool boundary side. The games were played in terrific spirit, with football being the biggest winner on the day. The Hong Kong Dragons proved a little too strong in their games against the Vikings and Lightning, however they didn't have things all their own way with both teams showing patches of great play and testing the Dragons at various times. The last game of the day was fought out between the Vikings and the Lightning, both eager for their first win. It was a torrid affair with a number of player sustaining injuries. In the end the Vikings proved too strong, much to the delight of their passionate fans.

Final results for the day were:
Game 1: Dragons 9 16 70 def Vikings 4 2 26
Game 2: Dragons 16 8 104 def Macau 6 3 39
Game 3: Vikings 13 10 88 def Macau 3 4 22

The Lightning before their debut in Asian footy

PRIOR TO THE GAME ON SATURDAY
With thunderstorms overnight Thursday ruining the ground we have had to move Saturday's games to St Stephen's College in Stanley. Action will still kick off from 11am with the same format and presentations scheduled for 2:30pm at the ground. Please note that there will be no parking available due to construction work so please take public transport to the ground.

Enter via the main school gate at 22 Tung Tau Wan Road, Stanley - the 40 & 52 minibuses; 260 and 6 buses run right passed the gate.

Location of the Kai Tak Cricket Ground

The Pokfulam Vikings are in a similar position to the Lightning having not notched up a game of international football until this date. The Vikings have however been quietly going about their business down at Sandy Bay for some years now and with a few ex Dragon premiership players running around in the big V plus a few unknowns they will certainly have the capabilities of giving this comp a real shake on the day. Former Dragon Nigel Mendonca will be one to watch in the big V provided he can keep his hands off Riggsy in the middle!

All in all we are set for a huge day of footy on Saturday 8th May at St Stephens College. Bring the family and kids along as it will be a great day to be enjoyed by all and a fantastic welcome back to footy in HK.

Dear Auskickers, the start of our 2010 season is approaching so dust off those boots and mouthguards and make your way to USRC on the 24th April for Registration

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

• PLACE : United Services Recreation Club, USRC, Garden Room. Enter from Gascoigne Road. Signs and guides will be in place.
• DATE/TIME : 24th April 0900-1200
• ADDRESS : 1 Gascoigne Road, Kings Park, Kowloon. See the following link for details www.usrc.org.hk/index.php (Jordan MTR, Exit B)

• REGISTRATION FORM : Please email aussierules_hkkids@yahoo.com.au for a copy of the form. Registration fee for 2010 is $600 per child.

• ELIGIBILITY : The minimum rquirement to register is School attendance i.e. Reception/Prep. (Not Kindy/Pre-school). Boys and Girls over 12 years age are welcome to register for our 'Junior Dragons'. This group will be run if numbers permit.

• CHILDREN RECEIVE : A 2010 Auskick Rookies Pack, and 2 ARJFC HK(Auskick) Training Tops. The Tops are unchanged from last year, so if yours still fit, please help us save on costs and bring them again this season.

• PLEASE NOTE : No parking is available at the Club and attendance is restricted to the Garden Room only for registration, no other Club areas are available. A soft drink and snack will be available for each child attending registration.

• REQUEST : Please make best attempts to register on the 24th. There is no requirement for children or parents to attend registration. Any responsible adult may submit registrations on their anothers behalf. Registrations will be accepted on the subsequent game days however this will be difficult due to location and available helpers.

• SEASON START : Saturday 1st May at HAPPY VALLEY. The 8th May is also planned for Happy Valley however the entire remainder othe season will be at KINGS PARK.

Confirmation emails will be sent in the week prior to each Saturday with more information and updates.

Regards
ARJFC HK (Auskick) Committee

Keano (right in blue) set a scorching pace for a good cause.

Beating the banana
Although not usually recommended in public, pacy Dragon Brendan Keane beat the banana while in TST to take out the 3km version of the 5th annual WCRF HK Beat the Banana! Charity Run held recently. Close to 800 runners aged from 8 months to 70 years old shared a morning of great fun and energy for cancer prevention along the beautiful Tsimshatsui waterfront while raising more than HK$420,000 for WCRF HK's vital cancer prevention work. At the 3km fun run, champion Keano successfully beat the giant running banana in 9 minutes and 18 seconds.

Live gig
The Dragon's very own superstar, Justin 'Diesel' Barbero will be making his debut live music gig on Saturday 13th March. The lads at V13 have announced they intend to hold a live music promotion night with $13 vodkas and a $1300 tab to be won. Barbs will be playing a one hour set. Get down to hear our guitar hero belting it out. All together now, "You're the Boff, try and understand it ...."

Halfa Farma
Michael 'Farmer' Robertson was one of the Dragons to take part in the annual Standard Chartered (half) Marathon, completing the 21kms in a credible 1hr 49 mins.
(Any other runner results welcomed).

New arrivals expected
Dragons big man Brian Jackson and wife Michelle have announced that they are expecting baby number three mid-year 2010.

Occasional player and long-time Dragons couple DJ Robbie Burns and wife Cris are also expecting their debut offspring arrival around the same time.

2002 BALI 9s

Lining up for the national anthem

After a baron 2001 season, the Dragons re-assembled a committee at the start of 2002. After a loss against the Jakarta Bintangs in Jakarta by 33 goals in May, it could only get better from there on. Third in a four team Asian Championships in Singapore followed and then the Dragons went to Bali in October to compete in the inaugural Bali 9s tournament. The Bali 9s was a 9 a side competition created by the Bali Geckos on a 100m long field (probably created because they have no bigger grounds in Bali....).

The Dragons assembled a small but strong side for the tour with the likes of Hamish Stuart, Graeme Rigg, Damian McNair, Nick Hyland and Matt Campbell in the side. As depth was a problem, we went recruiting in the Bali pubs on Friday night - an exercise that netted a German basketballer and a Scotish bloke no-one could understand!

After winning 3 of the 4 round robin games, the Dragons made it to the final. An early injury to Hamish was covered by smooth recruiting of Duane Stewart - a 150 gamer for Norwood in the SANFL who came down with his wife to watch, and mentioned as he passed our tent that he played for Norwood and that we had the same jumper. That was all David Bowtell needed to hear to sign him up!

The best round robin game was our upset win over Bali where Big Rob Caldwell (aka Raymond's brother) kicked 5 in a demolition job of Bali's greatest ever player Peter Muir.

The final saw the Dragons lose a close one to Jakarta after having the lead at half time. It would have been nice to win of course, but this tour showed the Dragons were back as a force in Asian football.

This tour is equally or more memorable in that it was the week before the Sari Club / Paddy's Bar bombings. The Dragons partied at the Sari Club all weekend and were extremely lucky that the original date of our tour was moved forward a week due to a clash with a 10s rugby tournament on the weekend of the bombing.

There was a lot of emotion from all when the Dragons that toured gathered at the Hong Kong Football Club the week after the bombings to pay our respects at a specially arranged rugby tournament to the eight Football Club rugby players that lost their lives the weekend before in Bali.

Bogan's broken nose was heard from the 3rd tier of the grandstand by none other than Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

2003 BALI 9s

The date for the 2003 tournament was fittingly set for the first anniversary weekend of the bombings.

Again the Dragons had a small squad and recruited pretty much a full Melbourne based footy team from Keysborough on the morning of the tournament to help us out. These guys had been there the year before and went to Bali to pay their respects. They were not expecting to play footy, but cold beer all day was the clincher!

On-field, the highlight for the Dragons was facing Bali first up. Jason McCartney was playing for Bali and there was a media contingent like an AFL game. Front page of the Herald Sun the next day was a marking contest between McCartney and a Dragon. Probably the only time we will make the front page of the Herald Sun, and the Dragon in the picture was one of our ring-ins!

The Dragons came third in the tournament but did inflict the only loss on the tournament's eventual winners the Batemans Bay Seahawks.

Off-field, this was the day Asian football was put on the map. A crowd of 2,000 plus was in attendance, AFL legends Dermott Brereton and Ron Barrassi were there and the final between Bali and Batemans Bay was shown live on TV in Adelaide and Perth.

Even more significant was the arrival late in the day of Prime Minister John Howard, Opposition Leader Simon Crean and their wives. They arrived to an amazing roar and standing ovation for making the effort to come and pay their respects for those lost 12 months earlier and to our appreciation for taking time to come to our football tournament.

After Batemans Bay won a close Grand Final, John Howard presented the cup and said "today is a great day for Australian sport. Matthew Hayden has made a world record 380 runs, the Wallabies have beat Argentina in the first game of the world cup and the Batemens Bay Seahawks have one the Bali 9s!". From there on I stopped voting for Tony Lockett and moved to John Howard!! Legend.

Truely a proud day to be an Australian and a very emotional one for all of us.

Matt Mojo Feeney has outclassed the field to win the second pre-season Dragons squash tournament and in the process win the inaugural Frawcis Cup.

The trophy, named after former President Craig Francis but typically mispelt by the trophy shop, is to be awarded in perpetuity to the winner of future pre-season competitions, regardless of the nominated sport for that year.
 In one-sided final played in front of a vocal, well-imbibed crowd at the HK Squash Centre on 16 March, Feens beat a gallant Julian 'Banno' Bannigan 9-6, 9-1, 9-5. In an earlier semi final, Banno had conceded an 8-2 lead in the deciding third set against the same opponent. But with the pressure on, it was Feens who drew upon his pilot emergency training to keep his cool and do the business.

The Frawcis Cup, named but misspelt after former club President Craig 'Boges' Francis (above)

After a hard fought first set, Banno failed to keep to his game plan of pushing Feens to the back of the court. With famed court craft failing to materialise, Feeney dominated the T to control the game.

Special mention to Jarrad Tidd, who lovingly prepared a huge roll-out banner in support of the runner-up. Sadly, he only turned up on match point.

The Frawcis Cup trophy will be held by the winner or stored at Bulldogs until next year's competition.

(L-R) Feens, Boges and Banno

Earlier reports

The round robin competition has been completed and we now move into the knockout stage of the Francis Cup pre-season squash competition. There has been a three-way tie for eighth spot (although Gags never actually came to the Island) and so Jacko and Wazza will play off for the much sort after 8th position. This game will be completed over the weekend, so the winner has enough time to recover, physically & mentally, before the all important finals.

Played Won Lost

Feens 5 5 0

Banno 5 4 1

Boges 5 3 2

Salty 6 3 3

Colonel 4 2 2

Barbs 4 2 2

Baron 2 2 0

Jacko 5 1 4

Wazza 3 1 2

Gags 2 1 1

Finnegan 2 0 2

Keano 2 0 2

(L-R) B&F Ryder, former Prez Woody, Prez Boges with the perpetual trophy named after the late Warwick Snowden

In one of the finest Dragons Awards Nights in recent memory, the club honoured its good and great at Oboh on Old Bailey Street on 28 November 2009.

The venue was a heaving mass of club members, partners, friends and fans for the open bar, live music fiesta.

Club founder Ray Wood travelled from Australia specifically to present the Ray Wood Medal that went to Dragons Fairest and Best winner, Joshua Ryder.

A clutch of other awards were also presented. The coveted Best Clubman trophy went to the tireless merchant of mirth, Dominic 'Bowski' Dunn. His efforts both on and off the field have been the stuff of legend and he joins an exalted list of contributors to the club on the honour board.

Best First Year Player went Justin 'Diesel' Barbaro. The pint-sized Stuchy doppelganger had a great year. It started with his four hour stop-over in Manila (en-route to his grandfather's birthday in Australia) morphing into a hospital visit after ten minutes of game time with a split chin. It culminated in a BOG performance in Beijing and some fine musical performances thereafter. "Looking forward to coming back next year for a tilt at the B&F," he said in accepting the award.

Leading Goalkicker was Jonathan Worthley, who took his second consecutive gong. A huge effort in Manila preceded a quieter Asian Champs before he sealed the deal with a strong performance in Beijing. Jonno thanked the midfield for feeding him and said he hoped to be around for another season.

Coaches Trophy went to the selfless David 'Lips' Kerr, who played a pivotal role on the sidelines. Whether serving as assistant coach, helping out at training, running water or playing and breaking fingers and tearing calf muscles, Lips was the year's everywhere man. "This is a great club and it is only as strong as the people who make it all happen. Special thanks to the committee guys for all their hard work, much of which goes unseen but I know they do it and appreciate it," said Lips.

For lifetime achievement, the Dragons awarded Life Membership to the indomitable Alfred Chown. Alfie was one of the founding orchestrators of the club in the early 1990s and his work over a period of about five years is one of the reasons we have this great club today.

"I guess it is somehow apt that I am the 19th life member of the Dragons as I did spend a lot of time on the bench during my career," said Chown.

Before presenting the Best and Fairest Award to Ryder, Ray 'Woody' Wood delivered an impassioned oratory on the Dragons early history. Reading from a parched scroll, the club's first president spoke of the people and events that shaped the club, including matches played against visiting navy sides in front of 2000 spectators, with RAAF paratrooper displays. The captivating speech provided and sense of history and gave the younger club members a valuable insight into the standing of the Dragons in the Hong Kong community.

In accepting his award, ruckman Ryder thanked the club for the friendships and good times it had provided, before offering a rendition of "Josh do it, Josh do it."

Special mention must also be made of the jovial half dozen Abu Dhabi Falcons who made it to Awards Night as part of their end-of-season trip in Hong Kong.

The evening then got progressively larger, with the Snowden Perpetual Trophy splitting in two, Diesel joining former Dragons Macca on the mic and strings and a general descent into mayhem throughout HK following. 2009. Success.

(And be sure to check out the updated Honour Boards under our History section, with Past Coaches and Captains now included with the 2009 award winners).

Photo gallery to follow soon

Craig 'Prez/Boges' Francis