1999-2001 Season Write Up

In January 1999 a match was played between East and West Australia to celebrate Australia day. The West snapped up the individual honours with Hamish Stuart best afield and Nick Hyland taking 3 big grabs. However, the East ran out 28 point winners (wearing the Big V - no doubt Teddy Whitten would have been proud watching from football heaven). 

May 1999 saw the Dragons return to Darwin for the Arafura games. 
The Dragons lost the first game to PNG, beat Tokyo, and lost again to the Northern Territory Development Squad – a team that boasted several current AFL stars. We made it to the bronze medal playoff game against Western Samoa, but were beaten again. 

Two tours followed in 1999. First it was to Tokyo where the Goannas won. Next was the four nations cup in Bangkok. After beating the Tigers in overtime, the Dragons played Singapore in the final where they lost by a narrow margin. 

Following the success of the four nations cup, the Asian Championships concept was introduced. In 2000 the tournament was hosted in Jakarta, and the Dragons joined Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore in the tournament. The Dragons made the grand final, but lost to Indonesia. 

November 2000 saw a visit from HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Darwin and HMAS Canberra, and a round robin tournament in Happy Valley. All matches were close, and HMAS Canberra sailed off with the title. 

2001 was a lean year for the Dragons with no games or tours and only the occasional training session.

2000 Results

      
       

Jun-00		    
     
Asian Champs, Jakarta, game 1 17-Jun-00 Indonesia 9-10-64


Hong Kong 1-4-10

Match Report:

Inaugural Champs opener a tough introduction

The inaugural Asian Australian Football League Championship was a resounding success.

Four teams contested the Championship - Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei and hosts Indonesia. On a day with perfect Jakarta weather (no clouds, no wind, no haze, 80 percent humidity and no respite) the ground looked a picture and the facilities had been set up to provide maximum comfort for a long day of footy.

Indeed without much breeze and a bright tropical sun, the 11.00 am to 2.00 pm games were played in sweltering heat.

All of the planning and organisation proved perfect as the day ran pretty much like clockwork. Games were 15 minute per half with no time on and a 10 minute half time break for the 14 players on the ground and maximum of 6 interchange players. The football was played in particularly good spirit and even the umpires commented on how little dissent/abuse they were subject to.

Nathan, at full forward, was in scintillating marking form and at the half time break Indonesia were pumped with a 15 point lead (3 -5- 23 to 1 -2- 8), with Jeremy Wernert scoring the Dragons only major.

Hong Kong, shell-shocked, retreated to their huddle to regroup.

More Bintang pressure through the midfield, including a Matty Scarfe dash down the wing and a pass to Nathan for a goal, combined with skilful displays from their forwards pushed the final margin out to nine goals.

Match report and photos courtesy of the Jakarta Bintangs

Dragons pounce on the loose handball

   
Asian Champs, Jakarta, game 2 17-Jun-00 Brunei 5-6-36


Hong Kong 7-4-46

   
Asian Champs, Jakarta, game 3 17-Jun-00 Singapore 3-7-25


Hong Kong 4-4-28

   
Asian Champs, Jakarta, Grand Final 17-Jun-00 Indonesia 6-5-41


Hong Kong 1-7-13