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Name: | Stuart Walker |
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Nickname: | Dunno, no-one told me yet |
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Bangkok, Manila and more. 2008 diary
more> |
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Auskick underway for the kids
more> |
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HK Dragons run Wilson Trail, scale Twin Peaks
more> |
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In homage to departing Dragons players
more> |
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Auskick junior football - click here for email enquiry |
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| Dave Kerr |
 |
Nickname: |
Lips |
| ... and why: |
for the shit that comes out of them |
| Family: |
Fraser, 6 |
| Favourite number & Position: |
6, wing |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
15 |
| Recruited From: |
Perth; played for Kalamunda JFC, Hawkesbury Saints |
| AFL club supported: |
West Coast |
| Career Highlight: |
U/13 Premiership with Kala Tigers
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Stauntons |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
First tour to Shanghai
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Kick it to the big bastards
|
|
| Colin Mitchell |
 |
Nickname: |
Mitch |
| ... and why: |
Mitch. Why? Because I played with some very unimaginative people |
| Family: |
Papa Mitch, Mamma Mitch and Big Brother Mitch |
| Favourite number & Position: |
1. On-ball or forward flank |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
8 |
| Recruited From: |
Melbourne; previous clubs - East Burwood (EFL) 1993 – 2001, Blackburn (EFL) 2002 - 2003 |
| AFL club supported: |
Bombers |
| Career Highlight: |
Playing in 4 successful Premiership Teams.
Playing in the U16 / U17 North Melbourne development squad
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Mes Amis |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
I will get back to you
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
When in doubt, assume the crash position
|
|
| Aaron Bester |
 |
Nickname: |
Besty |
| ... and why: |
work it out |
| Family: |
Single |
| Favourite number & Position: |
Full forward |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
9 |
| Recruited From: |
Burnie Hawks (Tasmania FL), Subiaco (WAFL) |
| AFL club supported: |
Freo |
| Career Highlight: |
Playing with the Dragons
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
OBH (can take the boy out of Perth ...) |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
2007 Asian Champs win
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Tour - for the best memories ever
|
|
| Matthew Feeney |
 |
Nickname: |
Mojo, Feens |
| ... and why: |
The first one is obvious but the latter I have no idea? |
| Family: |
None |
| Favourite number & Position: |
17; in the guts |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
33 |
| Recruited From: |
Adelaide; Recruited off the street |
| AFL club supported: |
Adelaide Crows |
| Career Highlight: |
Best and fairest Under 10s in 1983
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Soda of course |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Kicking winning goal in ' 03 Asian Champs against Jakarta
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Do not ask me for any - I have no idea about anything
|
|
| Stuart Walker |
 |
Nickname: |
Dunno, no-one told me yet |
| ... and why: |
|
| Family: |
Kylie (the only girl allowed on the tour bus), Harley and Lara |
| Favourite number & Position: |
12, Ruck Rover |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
15 |
| Recruited From: |
WA; played for UWA, Claremont Hawkes |
| AFL club supported: |
West Coast Eagles |
| Career Highlight: |
Winning goal in Dragons vs Vietnam, also my debut
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
My boat |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Asian Champs 2004
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
WIN at all costs, its not JUST another game, its FOOTY! Now where’s a can of piss?
|
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| Craig Francis |
 |
Nickname: |
Bogan (Boges), Prez |
| ... and why: |
The ex-President and Claremont yuppie Farmer was jealous of my blue collar street cred' |
| Family: |
Lisa, Tom, Luke |
| Favourite number & Position: |
Wing, no 49 (after Maurice Rioli) |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
45 |
| Recruited From: |
Kwinana (Home of the Knights) in WA; other clubs - Wembley, Curtin Wesley amateurs |
| AFL club supported: |
Fremantle Dockers (and South Freo in the WAFL) |
| Career Highlight: |
Selection in 2003 all-Asian side, Clubman award in 06. Winning 03 and 04 Champs, ascending to the presidency
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Barco |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Prime Minister John Howard saying he heard my nose break on forward pocket from his seat in the top of the grandstand (Bali 9s, 2003)
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Don't room with Gazza or sit next to Faulks on return flights
|
|
| Michael 'Farmer' Robertson |
 |
Nickname: |
The most influential man in Asian football |
| ... and why: |
|
| Family: |
First lady, Dorian |
| Favourite number & Position: |
2, First Ruck |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
52 |
| Recruited From: |
Perth; played for University FC (WA), Jakarta Bintangs, Malaysian Warriors |
| AFL club supported: |
St Kilda |
| Career Highlight: |
37 posessions from centre – Tokyo 1999
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Bulldogs, LKF |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Pumping Singapore in 2004 Asian Champs
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Don’t eat the dates off a calendar
|
|
| Nathan Byrne |
 |
Nickname: |
Byrnsey or ex-Presidente |
| ... and why: |
Comes from the Roman God…Nathan Byrne. And the fact I brought the lads to Asian Premiers in 2007. Then got sacked. |
| Family: |
Single. Parents in Geelong – home of the Cats. |
| Favourite number & Position: |
6 or 20. Ruck, full forward |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
23 |
| Recruited From: |
Geelong. Uni Blues A Grade Amateurs, Preston Knights VFL, Geelong College |
| AFL club supported: |
Geelong |
| Career Highlight: |
Winning the Asian Champs 2007 in Thailand. Nuff said.
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Dusk til Dawn |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Shanghai Tour 2006 – Burbs going away trip. It all started from there.
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Come on tour, enjoy your footy and back your fellow Dragon.
|
|
| Paul Mallia |
 |
Nickname: |
Mals, Long-Hair |
| ... and why: |
both for obvious reasons |
| Family: |
Very much single |
| Favourite number & Position: |
35 - forward line |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
25 |
| Recruited From: |
Ballarat; previous club - Ballarat juniors |
| AFL club supported: |
The Pies |
| Career Highlight: |
Playing for St Kilda in the little league at Morrabbin
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Baby Buddha |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Post 2003 Asian Championship celebrations
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Deeds not words
|
|
| Gary Wines |
 |
Nickname: |
Winesy |
| ... and why: |
|
| Family: |
Wife Riza, sons Brett and Nate, daughter Kate |
| Favourite number & Position: |
42, wing, when there are any, otherwise, back pocket |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
14 |
| Recruited From: |
Near Warrnambool, Victoria; previously played for University Blacks (Melbourne University) |
| AFL club supported: |
Sydney Swans |
| Career Highlight: |
Captain and Best and Fairest with University Blacks ... too long ago
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Officially or off the record? |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Winning Asian Championships 2003 (in Hong Kong)
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Enjoy your footy and the mates you make there, and be good to your body
|
|
| Rob Caldwell |
 |
Nickname: |
Big Man |
| ... and why: |
Do not ask |
| Family: |
Plenty - started early |
| Favourite number & Position: |
No 5. Full Forward, actually anywhere forward, and changing off the bench to stay fresh, but secretly wants to move up into a running position when fitness allows - a prodigious ball getter, but these days mostly receives |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
Still counting |
| Recruited From: |
Melbourne - home of football; previously played for Sandringham VFA , University Blues VAFA |
| AFL club supported: |
Collingwood (member for 20+ years) |
| Career Highlight: |
Left foot goal against The Gunn in Bali 9’s (2002) after showing the Sherrin.
Slotting a big one from the boundary after the siren against Malaysia - Bali 9’s (2004)
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Strawberries |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Nailing Farmer from 30 yards in Shanghai 2005 to set up his first goal in China
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Keep fit and avoid bed bugs
|
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| Lee Pilgrim |
 |
Nickname: |
Lenny |
| ... and why: |
A school mate pulling the piss |
| Family: |
partner Megan |
| Favourite number & Position: |
10; anywhere in the backline |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
5 |
| Recruited From: |
Tasmania; played for Old Launcestonians Football Club |
| AFL club supported: |
Melbourne Demons |
| Career Highlight: |
Winning Eastern Conference Games with
Cumberland (Syd Uni)
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Any in Lan Kwai Fong |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Early days yet
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
|
|
| Rob Burton |
 |
Nickname: |
That Useless Pommie Bastard |
| ... and why: |
Obvious |
| Family: |
In England |
| Favourite number & Position: |
5; Forward pocket, goalsneak |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
1 |
| Recruited From: |
North London Lions |
| AFL club supported: |
Nottingham Forest |
| Career Highlight: |
Kicked five goals for North London in my second game
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Dusk til Dawn |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
I'm sure there will be one, one day...
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Don't go on the Wednesday night training runs!
|
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| Graham Merrett |
 |
Nickname: |
Trotsky |
| ... and why: |
Russian rugby days |
| Family: |
Wife Kelly |
| Favourite number & Position: |
18, forward flank |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
8 |
| Recruited From: |
North Cairns |
| AFL club supported: |
Richmond |
| Career Highlight: |
Premiership with James Cook Uni in Townsville
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Phoenix (...nearly home) |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Debut vs Singapore in the rain and heat
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Beware the casual Bowen Rd training runs
|
|
| Simon Dodd |
 |
Nickname: |
Dodd-sey |
| ... and why: |
Extremely clever double entendre meaning either doddsey or man who should have given up football years ago |
| Family: |
Wife – Christina |
| Favourite number & Position: |
Anywhere from centre to forward |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
9 |
| Recruited From: |
Running laps around Happy Valley racecourse….could not resist a kick |
| AFL club supported: |
A proud (but not too loud these days) Carlton supporter |
| Career Highlight: |
Kicking 10 against the Basin in EDFL decades ago only to get king hit walking out of changing room after the game (rough area the Basin!)
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Wherever my mates are….. |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Tearing hamstring trying to catch Stuchy in the sprints…..
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Life’s this game of inches, so is football….because in either game - life or football - the margin for error is so small…..I mean, one half a step too late or too early and you don't quite make it…..one half second too slow, too fast and you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They're in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team we fight for that inch. On this team we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch. Because we know when add up all those inches, that's gonna make the fucking difference between winning and losing! Between living and dying! …….Al Pacino…..On any give 'Saturday'
|
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| Ian McDonald |
 |
Nickname: |
Salty |
| ... and why: |
Best left unsaid |
| Family: |
No rush - still practicing |
| Favourite number & Position: |
.05 & anywhere on the ground |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
26 |
| Recruited From: |
Doncaster - Eastern Districts FC during their brief spell in 1st Division |
| AFL club supported: |
North Melbourne - someone has to |
| Career Highlight: |
Winning Asian Champs, KL, 2004
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Stormies |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Can't say - it was on tour - it was weird though
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
If you haven't gone over the edge, you've yet to define your limits......go hard fellas !
|
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| Sam Mrad |
 |
Nickname: |
In years past Sambo, but nothing really stuck |
| ... and why: |
|
| Family: |
Mother, father, 2 sisters, 3 brothers |
| Favourite number & Position: |
12, because there a famous Collingwood player in the 80s that wore that number but now I cannot remember it was |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
26 |
| Recruited From: |
Brunswick East, Victoria; previous clubs - Cairns Tigers, Carlton under 19s, East Keilor, Princes Hill and Brunswick East FC |
| AFL club supported: |
The sometimes-mighty Magpies |
| Career Highlight: |
Under 14s best and fairest, Cairns most valuable utility player and countless other awards
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
They are all blurry after a few too many drinks |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Too many to choose from but if I told you I would have to kill you
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Winners are grinners boys. Girls dig scars, scratches, bumps and bruises. Pain heals but glory, now that lasts forever
|
|
| Greg Tait |
 |
Nickname: |
Taity |
| ... and why: |
|
| Family: |
Nil |
| Favourite number & Position: |
Any number over 40 & no preference |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
8 |
| Recruited From: |
Dalyston, Berwick, Richmond Central Amatuers, PINTS (NTFA), Mcquarie UNI, Manly |
| AFL club supported: |
Shinboners - Kangas |
| Career Highlight: |
Yet to win a Grand Final, so still waiting
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
McSorleys - Yet to refuse me service & it is close to home |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Hopefully the 2006 Asian Champs
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
If you can't play like a footballer at least look like one. Advice given by my father when he knew I had no football potential
|
|
| Chris Nicolay |
 |
Nickname: |
Nico |
| ... and why: |
For some reason noone ever remembers my first name, and cant be bothered saying my full surname |
| Family: |
Ellie and three boys, Henry, Angus, Dominic |
| Favourite number & Position: |
18 and center half back - after the great Murray Rance from Swan Districts |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
10 (including one of 25 seconds) |
| Recruited From: |
University of WA |
| AFL club supported: |
Saint Kilda |
| Career Highlight: |
Screwing up a kick out of fullback in front of 20,000 people at the WACA during a preliminary game before Eagles v Essendon. Only to have the ball kicked back over my head for a goal - we lost by 5 points
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Insomnia |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Doing my hammy in the first 25 sec of my first game
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
At least go to one training session before attempting to play.. especially if you are on the wrong side of 30
|
|
| Ian Allen |
 |
Nickname: |
1) Budgie: 2) Ian-Allan |
| ... and why: |
1) for my choice of swim pant. And sarcastically for the fact that I can not whistle in tune or fly for that matter 2) last and first name generally used together for some reason |
| Family: |
Wife and with five young nephews. We are considering adding to it and potentially building a team of our own |
| Favourite number & Position: |
39, 48 – loose man in the back line sneaking forward and kicking some. Who wouldn’t? |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
7 |
| Recruited From: |
Miranda JAFC, Belconnen U19 & UT Sydney |
| AFL club supported: |
Bombers. Back up team: Sydney Swans |
| Career Highlight: |
Playing curtain-raiser before the Swans v Fitzroy the last time they played each other (In Canberra and basically oversized little league). But now looking for bigger highlights on the world stage that is HK-dragons and Asian footy
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Bottoms Up bar |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Medicine ball and abs work on a Wednesday night session. I will never forget that
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Keep your eye on the ball and read Doddsey’s advice
|
|
| Matty Wu |
 |
Nickname: |
The Wooster, Wooboy |
| ... and why: |
The letter W |
| Family: |
none |
| Favourite number & Position: |
Centre |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
34 |
| Recruited From: |
Melbourne; Played for Old Ivanhoe Grammarian |
| AFL club supported: |
Hawthorn |
| Career Highlight: |
Being named 3rd best player at the 2002 Asian Champs in Singapore
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Lux |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
The Shanghai tour of 03, Benny's public nudity
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Drink and perform
|
|
| Dwight Stuchbery |
 |
Nickname: |
Stoochy, Junior Burger |
| ... and why: |
To differentiate me from the Old Man |
| Family: |
Girlfriend Kristy |
| Favourite number & Position: |
On the ball, wing |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
16 |
| Recruited From: |
Adelaide; Played for Edwardstown, Brighton Bombers |
| AFL club supported: |
Essendon |
| Career Highlight: |
Winning two flags against more fancied opposition
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Jaspers |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Winning by 3 points in Shanghai in Burbs last game
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
|
|
| Jarrad Crighton |
 |
Nickname: |
Crights |
| ... and why: |
Pretty farking obvious |
| Family: |
In HK, the missus (Alicia) |
| Favourite number & Position: |
6 & anywhere on the ground |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
7 |
| Recruited From: |
New York Magpies, W.A. Amateurs |
| AFL club supported: |
West Coast Eagles |
| Career Highlight: |
Asia Champs first time of asking. Representing Aust. vs the Yanks in L.A. as the curtain raiser to the Sydney & Kangaroos exhibition game in the U.S.
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Hardys (with Byrnseye on the mic) |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Bus ride back from the ground after '07 Asia Champs
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Never miss a tour!
|
|
| Thomas Polk |
 |
Nickname: |
Polky or Martin |
| ... and why: |
The first is obvious, though the latter came about under a suggested similarity to Martin Pike (still unsure as to the context here) |
| Family: |
None that I know of, yet |
| Favourite number & Position: |
30, depends on the circumstances (preferably on-ball/half-back) |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
6 |
| Recruited From: |
Melbourne - previously played for Scotch (and still taking stick for it) |
| AFL club supported: |
West Coast - that's when Judd, Cousins and Kerr are all available |
| Career Highlight: |
U/10 Lightning Premiership - Glen Iris Football Club
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Finds |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
On field: 2007 Asian Championships.
Off field: Anything involving 'The Jackal'
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Never sit beside your ruckman in a Bangkok bar, he will always make you look bad
|
|
| Justin Faulkner |
 |
Nickname: |
Faulks or Loose |
| ... and why: |
[Justin] The first is obvious and the second also obvious to anyone that has toured with me |
| Family: |
Lisa Martin |
| Favourite number & Position: |
13, Half Forward Flank |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
65 |
| Recruited From: |
Obscurity |
| AFL club supported: |
Western Bulldogs |
| Career Highlight: |
Kicking a goal while winning the 2004 Asian Championships
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
1911 |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Too many to mention
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Beware the fever - it gets all but the strongest few.
|
|
| Darren Whitfield |
 |
Nickname: |
Daz |
| ... and why: |
Because abbreviations are just too easy |
| Family: |
Wife Rachel |
| Favourite number & Position: |
69 - I'll leave that for you to work out |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
3 |
| Recruited From: |
Adelaide country football |
| AFL club supported: |
Adelaide Crows |
| Career Highlight: |
Asian Champs victory 2007 - Champions of the world!
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Stormies, Lan Kwai Fong |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Asian Champs and all that followed
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Get into it. And bring your drinking shoes
|
|
| Mick Finnegan |
 |
Nickname: |
Mick |
| ... and why: |
I have not told anyone the other ones |
| Family: |
Sonia and Sinead, Chloe and Connor |
| Favourite number & Position: |
4, on the ball or forward pocket |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
|
| Recruited From: |
Perth, Kalgoorlie; played for Kambalda and Whitfords |
| AFL club supported: |
West Coast Eagles |
| Career Highlight: |
Premierships played in and the 2007 Asian Champs win
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Can never remember its name |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Morning after the 2007 Asian Champs in Bangkok
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Do not stand next to Tommy or Josh when they are trying to scull SKOB bombs, or anything else for that matter.
|
|
| Josh Ryder |
 |
Nickname: |
Spider, Rydes |
| ... and why: |
|
| Family: |
Wife Damara, plus mum, dad, sister and nephew |
| Favourite number & Position: |
22; Centre half forward |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
5 |
| Recruited From: |
Canberra; played for Tuggeranong (ACT), Swan Districts (WA), East Coast Eagles (NSW) |
| AFL club supported: |
Carlton |
| Career Highlight: |
u/19s premiership. Pretty barren for the next ten years and then the 07 Asian Champs.
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Red Bar |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
Getting nude in Bulldogs LKF, sculling from the 07 Champs cup, Player XXXXX crawling out of the overhead compartment on the flight home from Bangkok and falling on top of me.
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
When drinking SKOB bombs, always have a bucket handy
|
|
| Jarrod Tidd |
 |
Nickname: |
JT |
| ... and why: |
I like to keep things simple |
| Family: |
girlfriend Danielle |
| Favourite number & Position: |
Not picky, grateful for any chance to run on the turf |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
5 |
| Recruited From: |
Melbourne |
| AFL club supported: |
Saint Kilda |
| Career Highlight: |
The 07 epic journey to claim the Asian Champs cup.
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
7-11 (cheap beer) |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
07 Champs in Bangkok
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Get amongst it
|
|
| Stefan Aebi |
 |
Nickname: |
Swiss |
| ... and why: |
'Cause I am |
| Family: |
Parents and sister back home |
| Favourite number & Position: |
14, full forward |
| No. of Dragons Games: |
1 |
| Recruited From: |
Greenvale Jets (Victoria) |
| AFL club supported: |
Essendon |
| Career Highlight: |
TBA
|
| Favourite Hong Kong Bar: |
Stormies |
Most memorable Dragons
moment: |
My 2007 birthday - the Asian Champs in Bangkok
|
| Advice for other Dragons: |
Do not miss the next footy trip!!
|
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