2003 Season Write Up

In April 2003, the Dragons toured to Shanghai to take on the China Blues in the first international Aussie Rules game played in China. In a one sided contest, the Dragons led all day and ran out convincing winners. Graeme Rigg and Matt Wu starred for the tourists. The tour was a success and heralded the arrival of a new destination on the Asian football tour merry-go-round. 

In June, the Dragons took a large touring squad to Bangkok and also came away convincing winners. Damian McNair pulled in mark of the day and Simon Dixon was best afield. 

However, it was September that saw the Dragons greatest triumph, winning the Asian Championships at home after going through the tournament undefeated. The final game against the Jakarta Bintangs was a thriller, that saw the Dragons kick into the teeth of a typhoon as they staged a remarkable comeback. A record eleven Dragons players were selected in All Asian Team of the Tournament. 

A third place followed in the fiercely contested and emotion-charged Bali 9s in October. The Dragons competed against some of their Asian foes as well as a host of teams from the Aussie mainland. 

A win in the tri-nations Hanoi cup in November over Thailand and Hanoi closing out a successful 2003 for the Dragons.

2003 Results

      
       

Nov-03 		   
       
Hanoi tour, game 1 29-Nov-03 Hanoi 2-2-14


Hong Kong 9-2-56

Match Report:

Dragons welcome Swans back to fray with a flogging

The Dragons toured to Hanoi on the weekend to take on the Hanoi Swans and Thailand Tigers for the Hanoi cup, and also to defend the Hamilton-Reddell trophy.

The Dragons arrived in Hanoi unusually early on Friday afternoon at 4pm to be greeted by thousands of tidy female fans who had slept over at the airport for days just to get a glimpse of the Asian champions visiting their beloved country. After fighting through the parade, the Dragons launched onto the team bus and into some cold Fosters. Then it was off for dinner and to the Bobby Skilton room at Pepperonis for the pre game function. The match day draw was done, where the Dragons were controversially pulled out to play the first two games of the day, forcing most of the team to change their plans and retire to the hotel unusually early at around 5am.

Saturday morning arrived, and the Dragons team bus was there at 8.30am to take us out for a scenic 45 minute trip to the ground. Elderly statesman Will Hamilton named the side and gave a rousing pep talk to fire the boys up, and was even kind enough to remove his teeth for the occasion.

First game of the day saw the Dragons up against an unknown Hanoi Swans, who were playing their first game in five years and wearing the Dingbats stripe. Captain McNair won the toss and kicked with the breeze, which set the scene for some vintage Dragons football. The Dragons kept the Swans goalless in the first half, and went on to record a comfortable win. President Farmer kicked goal of the day but it wasn't allowed, upsetting the international fans, press and models who had flocked to the venue to see the well oiled pin-up in full flight.

   
Hanoi tour, game 2 29-Nov-03 Thailand 8-3-51


Hong Kong 5-8-38

Match Report:

Hamilton-Reddell cup briefly lost


In the second game of the Hanoi tour, the Dragons took on the Thailand Tigers who were boasting a near full strength squad. The first half was a closely fought contest with neither side giving much space. However, 3 goals in the last 3 minutes of the half saw the Tigers go into half time with a comfortable 4 goal lead. The Dragons were never really able to get into the contest in the second half, and went on to be defeated by 27 points.

Thailand played Hanoi in the third game, taking a points decision to set up an eagerly awaited Thailand - Hong Kong grand final.

   
Hanoi tour, Grand Final 29-Nov-03 Thailand 4-3-27


Hong Kong 5-3-33

Match Report: 

Midfield supremacy delivers the crockery

Thailand played Hanoi in the third game of the tri-series, taking a points decision to set up the Thailand - Hong Kong grand final and the chance to reclaim the Hamilton-Redell trophy lost just an hour earlier.

The atmosphere was right for a historic Dragons performance when the crowd saw captain McNair trade his champagne boots for ivory boots with back pocket/utility/Hong Kong's most eligible bachelor Ronnie Boxhead Bertoli. Stephen Webb, on his last tour as a Hong Kong resident, gave an inspirational pre-game speech. The Dragons were ready to roll.

With big ruckman Russell Forster feeding the midfield of Rigg, McNair and Walker, the Dragons kicked away to an early lead. Three first half goals to Riggsy and a very good snap from Webby saw the Dragons go into the break four goals up.

The Dragons managed to keep the Tigers to one goal for the first nine minutes of the second half, but then three goals in two minutes saw the Tigers level the scores, and they had all the run. However, the Dragons were not to be denied, and won the next clearance to set up a goal to tour debutant Stu Walker, and the Hanoi cup and Hamilton-Reddell trophy were back in the Dragons cabinet. The Dragons song was recited with gusto, and Webby and McNair chaired from the field.

Saturday night was one to remember, as the Dragons celebrated way into the early hours. Special mentions to Justin Faulkner who walked away with the worst bloke on tour award, and loose cannon poms Garry Smith and Aaron "Shandy man" Stewart who were not far behind.

It was an apt end to season 2003.
       
Oct-03    
       
Bali 9s, game 1 10-Nov-03 Bali 6-5-41


Hong Kong 5-2-32

   
Bali 9s, game 2 10-Nov-03 Malaysia 5-2-32


Hong Kong 3-3-21

Match Report:

Game 2 saw the Dragons take on the Malaysian Warriors, who were looking strong after knocking off the Bintangs in an earlier game.

This was a close fought match with the teams going goal for goal. Unfortunately, the Dragons were not quite good enough and went down by 11 points, giving the Warriors a rare and much-enjoyed victory over the China SAR side.

   
Bali 9s, game 3 10-Nov-03 Batemans Bay (Seahawks) 3-3-21


Hong Kong 10-3-63

Match Report:

Dragons cause biggest boilover in Bali football

This game represented one of the greatest upsets in football. It was a turn-around that shocked the crowd, media, Australian Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, Dermie and Ron Barrassi who had all flocked in to the grandstand after lunch time, having got drunk and loose on Friday night.

The Dragons had finally shaken off the morning cobwebs, and were now ready to play. Captain-coach Rigg de-listed Anderson, Caldwell and Robertson in a sea of controversy, similar to the Saints mid-season dumping of Matthew Cappuccino. Rigg had gone for youth in the form of a few mates of the 4 blokes we picked up at the start of the day. Anderson and Robertson started going in rounds of Bintang beer. Caldwell and physio Hodge left to watch the rugby.

The Dragons were taking on the Batemans Bay Seahawks, eventual winners of the tournament. The Dragons had slammed on 4 goals before Batemans Bay had scored, and were looking strong. Then came an unfortunate incident with the Dragons in-house bogan Craig Francis suffering a broken nose and cut cheek that required more stitches than a cricket ball, compliments of a careless left hand from a Seahawk. Bogan went to hospital to have his nose reset, but returned to the ground later in the day, much to the delight of the Sharons and Noreens in the crowd who had been admiring his woollen football boots and mullet.

The Dragons continued to dominate the Seahawks, and went on to win the game by more than 40 points.

Bogan Francis broke his opponent's hand with his face

   
Bali 9s, game 4 10-Nov-03 Jakarta 5-1-31


Hong Kong 8-3-51
Sep-03    
       
Asian Champs 2003, HK, game 1 25-Sep-03 Hong Kong A 5-7-37


China 2-1-13

   
Asian Champs 2003, HK, game 2 25-Sep-03 Hong Kong A 5-5-35


Hong Kong B 2-2-2014

   
Asian Champs 2003, HK, game 3 25-Sep-03 Hong Kong B 2-0-12


Indonesia 8-6-54

   
Asian Champs 2003, HK, game 4 25-Sep-03 Hong Kong B 5-3-33


China 3-4-22

   
Asian Champs 2003, HK, Grand Final 25-Sep-03 Hong Kong 4-6-30


Indonesia 3-6-24

Match Report: 

The Great Escape - Dragons Win First Asian Crown

In a match that was always going to be decided by millimetres, the Dragons defeated the Indonesian Bintangs by 6 points in Saturdays final of the 2003 Michael Page Asian Championships.

There was nothing pretty about the games opening with both teams trying to physically impose themselves in the tough, muddy conditions, much to the delight of the thousands of fit women who looked on adoringly at their modern day gladiators. However it was a more composed Bintangs outfit,
brimming with big game experience, who ran away to a 3 goal lead at half time courtesy of squandered opportunities by the gun Dragons forward line and some loose defending.

At half time the Dragons looked to be in major peril. The Bintangs were already celebrating.

With 10 minutes left on the clock in the second half, and trailing by 3 goals, inspirational midfielder Graeme the Body Rigg snapped brilliantly from the pocket to keep the Dragons in touch. This was soon followed by long goals to Paul Absalom and Simon Dixon, before Matty Feeney roved the
ball in front of goal to put the Dragons 7 points up.

Although Indonesia fought back hard with a couple of minutes remaining, a brave Dragons outfit hung on to record a thrilling win and reward the Dragons faithful who had
turned the enormous crowd into a chanting sea of red and blue.

After the match the Dragons sung the club song with gusto, impressing fans and dignitaries alike. The captain Damian McNair accepted the trophy and thanked himself, whilst our very own unicorn, Hamish Stuart, was voted best
afield and promptly disappeared after receiving his trophy, leaving many fans to ponder if this is the last they will see of this mythical creature.

In the euphoria that followed and late into the night the players continued to mix openly with fans and the stories of the famous victory became increasingly impressive as the Fosters flowed freely.

Congratulations to all who were involved during the day. An excellent effort. 11 Dragons were chosen in the All Asian team, 7 Dragons and 4 from the Dark Side. Congratulations to Joe Rossi, Craig Francis, James Hodgkinson, Paul Mallia, Mark Armsden, Grame Rigg, Hamish Stuart, Chris Yee, Damian McNair, Gary Wines and Tim Burbury.

Damian 'Vague' McNair, The Little General and Coach Dicko accept the plaudits
       
Jun-03    
       
Bangkok tour 14-Jun-03 Thailand 5-7-37


Hong Kong 12-5-77

Match Report: 

DRAGONS WIN HAMILTON-REDDELL CUP IN BOIL-OVER

Displaying a relentless commitment to excellence on the weekend, the Dragons once again reached the lofty heights expected by our fans and members, both on and off the park,
in our chosen field of endeavour - playing Aussie Rules in south-east Asia against other 30-something expats.

The Dragons coasted to a comfortable 43 point win over a confident Thailand outfit at Tiger Park on Saturday to win its second consecutive international, to retain the Hamilton-Reddell Cup. Arriving the day before by land, sea and air, the Dragons showed no ill effects from the Friday night team meeting and hit the ground running.

They set up the win with a nine goal first half in front of a large crowd, estimated by police to be 8,000 strong.

The Dragons moved the ball with precision, dominant in the ruck where Geoff Rafter consistently gave the Dragons first use. Captain Damian McNair and wing Richard Young were prominent across the midfield, Sam Mrad and Simon Dixon marked and rebounded strongly across half-back, and defenders Nick Hyland and Todd Pallett ensured it was no easier for the Tigers closer to goal.

In a tactical coup, Will Hamilton lined up at centre half forward against the club he founded and caused plenty of headaches, both during the match and at the quarter time intervals when giving the boys a spray.

The Dragons forward line spread the work around, having multiple scorers in McNair who bagged four whilst Hamilton and the Big Ticket (Anthony Thompson) collected two each.

"Yeah, no, look mate, we were in control for all but the first five minutes of the game" said club president and super-sub Farmer Robertson when the press caught up with him after the game "It's a great result for the club, and we're just happy that the boys come frew and we got the four points, and we look forward to next week".......... already you could sense the little general was turning his attention to the next tour.

The Dragons keep the trophy cabinet furnished
     
Apr-03    
       
Shanghai tour 4-May-03 China Blues 3-7-25


Hong Kong 15-15-105