Just like the AFL introducing Friday night football 25 years ago, the first installment of Sunday football came to Asia on 5 September 2010 with the Hong Kong Dragons hosting the China cup. The China Reds visited with a combined team from Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhau. The Macau Lightning (or soon to be called Mac-Cowboys) also played. The Dragons with a solid 42 players entered two teams with the talent spread evenly across both sides.

For the first time (after two failed previous attempts due to black rain), we got onto the Kai Tak oval – the place where the Kai Tak rules were invented. The ground was in great nick.

The local derby was the first game of the day between the Fenwick Cats (white) and Wanchai Demons (blue). The teams were evened up quite nicely by coach Wino and the scoreboard reflected that for most of the game. The final score saw the Blue team kick poorly, but get away with a win after kicking two goals deep into time on. Final score was 5.11.41 to 5.0.30. New recruit from Ballarat Tarquin was liking the Hong Kong surroundings and took a few screamers during the game.

Second game was a break for the locals as China and Macau slogged it out. China won easily 7.6.48 to 2.1.13.

The blue Dragons were then out again to take on Macau. Not expected to be the closest match of the day was the call from the Dragons cheer squad and it proved correct. Macau were spent half way through the second half and called the game off, being happy with the fact they had scored and wanted to do some boozing. Final score was 9.2.56 to 0.1.1.

As Macau hopped into the local brew kindly served up by Mrs Wines, the games continued and the white Dragons squared off against China. China brought there A game in the first half and were right in the contest. The Dragons went into half time one point to the good. Winesy was not too upset with the effort as China were playing well, but quietly pointed out a few issues. Whippet went to tag China’s onballer Belly who was dominating and Stu and M Jacko lifted in the midfield. Riggsy relishing a run up forward was also providing a target and PK at fullback was stopping everything that came his way. A few other cameos by almost every player got the desired result for the Dragons and we went on to win 5.5.35 to 4.1.25.

Final game of the day was blue Dragons v China. A handful of players from the game before decided to have one more run for the Dragons for the day which was fine by the coach so we could hopefully finish off strongly for the day. The Dragons started well for the first quarter of the game but were not putting scoreboard pressure on. China managed to make the Dragons pay with a couple of goals in the first half, but the Dragons always held a slight edge with class all over the field and fresh legs rotating off the bench. Half time Dragons 3.2 to China 2.0. China ran out of legs in the second half as the Dragons took control. Woody kept adding to his goal kicking list at international level and players all over the field were providing spark. Will Burgess managed to snare goal of the day in the dying minutes. The only dark point of the game was a broken arm to B Jacko. Get well soon mate. Final score 8.6.54 to 2.2.14.

After singing the family version of the team song it was time for a cold beer only to realize the Macauboys had drunk them all! Superstar Doddsy kindly put his hand up to save the day and race off to the local bottle shop to keep the team and faithful happy.

At the presentations Bowski presented the China cup to Dragons coach and captain Winesy and Stuch. Player of the day went to Tarquin who will be a very handy inclusion at the Asian Champs. Woody once again was leading goal scorer. Stuch took out the David Kerr award for most points.

Thanks to China, Macau, Dragons team, supporters, groupies and the groundsman. The Dragons Committee also did a great job organizing most of the logistics that is often overlooked, so well done fellas.

Bring on the Asian Champs in Shanghai!