HK Dragons :: 2009

2009 Season Write Up

Season 2009 got underway in the midst of one of the most severe global economic crises of the past 80 years. As a team based in a major international financial centre, the threat of a mass exodus of players loomed large but failed to fully materialise. While a few players were lost to the faltering employment market, the Dragons admirably managed to retain and even bolster their all-important sponsorship arrangements.

With the off-field conditions under control, thoughts turned to breaking back into the top tier of Asian football that had seen the UAE win their first Asian Championship in 2008 and Singapore loom as their biggest threat.

The mission got underway in earnest in May, after a very solid lead-up on the training track from early March. The Manila Cup had cemented itself in the annual schedule and proven hugely popular. The Dragons again sent a large squad and, adopting a revolutionary two-team rotation policy, managed to retain the Cup while giving all players the opportunity to play in the top side. The second team, the Darkside Dragons failed to win a game but the entire squad enjoyed solid and valuable match practice. To win the cup, the Dragons overcame the home side, China and a gallant Malaysia.

As in previous years, the worsening shortage of grounds in Hong Kong rendered impossible the prospect of hosting an international. A long summer ensued built around Sunday training sessions at a myriad of grounds. The closure of home base Happy Valley for much of the season exacerbated the ground shortage but the committed membership remained undaunted. Training was well-attended from Ho Man Tin in Kowloon to Sandy Bay. Added variety came in the form of gruelling midweek boxing and fitness sessions.

A team comprising a record eight tour debutants and a string of other first-year players ensured the 2007 Asian Champs title was now a distant collective memory. Lacking key position players, enduring untimely injuries, but boasting an impressive brigade of midfielders the Dragons headed to Malaysia in September with premiership hopes afloat. After hard-fought but sound wins in the preliminary matches against Thailand and Jakarta, the UAE effectively sunk those cup hopes. A semi-final still beckoned against Singapore but the four goal loss to the Heat was eclipsed by the Wombats. Seven goals to seven points told some of the story, but inaccuracy was only part of the tale as the Dragons were outclassed. The UAE in turn dispensed with Singapore with similar ease in the Grand Final.

A season-ending trip did much to alleviate the anguish of the Champs. A match against the Beijing Bombers for the China Cup in November represented Asia’s first-ever tour to the mainland capital. A hugely entertaining weekend saw the Dragons emerge victorious in cool conditions. Noteworthy was the fact the game was played in visibility so poor the backline could barely see the forward line. The game also featured on television news reports across Asia and the Pacific.

Off the field, a highlight was the joint Dragons-AustCham dinner with an inspirational AFL legend Kevin Sheedy as special guest. Throughout the year raffles were held during Friday Night football at base camp Bulldogs, with new sponsor contributions on offer. A boisterous Awards Night featured club founder Ray Wood flying in to present the Best and Fairest medal that bears his name. Race days, junk trips, hikes and a host of other events helped ensure the Dragons retained their unchallenged position as the best place in Asia to play Aussie Rules footy.

2009 Results
Nov-09

Beijing tour	07-Nov-09	Beijing	8-10-58
		Hong Kong	13-4-82

Sep-09

Asian Champs, KL, game 1	05-Sep-09	Thailand	1-3-09
		Hong Kong	5-2-32
Match Report: First game saw the Dragons take on the Thailand Tigers. The Tigers had reasonable numbers and a gun centreman who had been best on ground every game he played in Asian footy to date, so they were not to be taken lightly. The also had former Baby Dragon Tommy Polk, however, which allowed the Dragons the luxury of playing one short. The Dragons took control of the game early with a few of the new guys and a couple of the old turning it on. The Colonel (Chris Sandilands) and Jonno Worthley were controlling the key forward and back posts and Nathan Noodles Pither, Cooky and Brendan Kean were providing plenty of run. Half time saw the Dragons run out to a four goal to zero lead. In the second half we rested up a few players for the long day ahead and one goal was scored for each side. Final score was Dragons 5.2.32 vs Tigers 1.3.9. Goal scorers were Baron (2), Colonel, Stuch and Gags. Best players were Cooky, Noodles, Colonel, Brendan, Gags and Jonno.

Asian Champs, KL, game 2	05-Sep-09	Jakarta	1-1-07
		Hong Kong	4-6-30

Asian Champs, KL, game 3	05-Sep-09	UAE	4-4-28
		Hong Kong	1-0-6
Match Report: Third game of the day was against Dubai Heat. Dubai were last year's winners and allegedly comprised of a team of guys who had not actually been to Asia since last year's tournament, despite it being called the Asian Championships. The Heat had again brought a strong side and were expected to be our biggest challenge of the round robin games. In the first half, the Heat controlled the game and the Dragons struggled to make it onto the scoreboard. Heat led by 21 points at half time. The second half was a lot more even and each side scored one goal each. Final score was Heat 4.4.28 to Dragons 1.0.6. Matty Baron kicked the only goal for the Dragons and the best players were Noodles, Mootsy, Baron, Mitch, Brendan and Riggsy showing signs of why he was granted life membership last year. The Colonel tries to steer one in from the boundary

Asian Champs, KL, game 4	05-Sep-09	Malaysia	3-1-19
		Hong Kong	5-3-33


Asian Champs, KL, Semi Final	05-Sep-09	Singapore	7-1-43
		Hong Kong	0-7-7

May-09

Grand Final, Manila Cup	30-May-09	Hong Kong	9-11-65
		Malaysia	1-2-08
Match report: A thriller and effective preliminary final late in the day in the wet saw the Warriors complete a major comeback to defeat China Reds 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 rain did not prove to be the equaliser the underdogs would have hoped for. The Dragons dominated from the outset. The favourites had too many avenues to goal, with Jonno spearheading for three majors and six other individual goalscorers adding to the deluge (Mallia, Rigg, Gallagher, Stuchbery, Phyllis, Crighton). Best afield was Josh Ryder, who dominated in the ruck and proved a potent target around the ground. As the rain eased, the Dragons team song resounded around the Manila Polo Club ground. The Dragons also received some added inspiration from club veteran Matt 'Mojo' Feeney, who was unable to tour as he was expecting his first child. A text message from Feens was read out at half time, that sparked the side: Boys I would give my left nut to be there with you tomorrow. I would happily warm the bench in whatever team I was lucky enough to get picked in. Remember the jumper you wear now has been worn with pride for 19 years now and it wasn't given to you by former Dragons, it is on loan to you from future dragons whom you are yet to meet. Now get out there and wear the jumper with pride and play not only for the club but for the man sitting beside you. Good Luck, Mojo

Manila Cup, Darkside game 2	30-May-09	HK Dragons II	1-3-09
		Philippines	3-6-24
Match Report: 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. Main in front: Daniel Renton

Manila Cup, Darkside game 3	30-May-09	HK Dragons II	2-3-15
		China Reds	7-4-46
Match Report: 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.

Manila Cup, Darkside game 4	30-May-09	HK Dragons II	0-2-2
		Malaysia	7-4-46
Match Report: 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. Will Burgess gets the fist to the ball

Manila Cup, game 1	30-May-09	Malaysia	0-7-7
		Hong Kong	7-7-45
Match Report: The Dragons met the Warriors in the first game of the tournament, 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. Simon Phyliss kicked two goals and the other six were spread between individual goal scorers, including one to new midfielder Justin Barbero. Simon Phyllis fires out the handball

Manila Cup, game 2	30-May-09	HK Dragons II	3-0-18
		Hong Kong	6-3-39
Match Report: 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. Jonno Worthley bagged four for the winning side, while Paul Abfalter and Ryan Lawson, on debut, kicked two each The Hong Kong derby was a typically hard-fought affair

Manila Cup, game 3	30-May-09	China Reds	1-3-09
		Hong Kong	5-1-31
Match Report: 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. A four-goal win to the Dragons only came after the winners broke away late in the game. An impenetrable defence led by Bowski Dunn was the catalyst for the win, with the goals spread around in singles. Gags, Baron and Stuchbery were well supplied in the midfield through the tireless ruckwork of Josh Ryder. Skipper Baron leads the pack

Manila Cup, game 4	30-May-09	Philippines	0-2-2
		Hong Kong	7-5-27
Match Report: 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. Centreman Matty Gallagher and fast-leading full forward Jonno Worthley bagged two goals each. Tempers flare in the tropical heat

The Colonel tries to steer one in from the boundary

Third game of the day was against Dubai Heat. Dubai were last year's winners and allegedly comprised of a team of guys who had not actually been to Asia since last year's tournament, despite it being called the Asian Championships. The Heat had again brought a strong side and were expected to be our biggest challenge of the round robin games.

In the first half, the Heat controlled the game and the Dragons struggled to make it onto the scoreboard. Heat led by 21 points at half time. The second half was a lot more even and each side scored one goal each. Final score was Heat 4.4.28 to Dragons 1.0.6. Matty Baron kicked the only goal for the Dragons and the best players were Noodles, Mootsy, Baron, Mitch, Brendan and Riggsy showing signs of why he was granted life membership last year.

2009 Season Write Up

2009 Results