Hong Kong Dragons game wrap up with Coach Wines

Aug 27th 2016 Sai Kung

Game 1
Dragons: 8 6 54 d Philippines 7 1 43

Dragons got off to a strong start against a slightly cloudy-eyed Eagles team (I am sure it was just the glare in Sai Kung and nothing to do with the night before). There were early goals to Coby (the Heat,) on debut, and Burkey. A comeback in the latter part of the half saw us only a couple of points ahead at the break. We had been using the footy better and, although there were moments when the coach dropped the clipboard as we failed to sweep at ball-ups, our midfielders were mostly on top. B.J, another excellent inclusion for his first game from the Eagles (in Vermont!) was starting to get a taste for it.. he was crashing through tackles and chimed in with a goal. The “Pirate” was getting his radar settled on goals also and stacked on a tidy 3 in the second half. Animal was marshalling well and doing the in-and-under at the packs. Maz was getting plenty of it and our backline with Nico, Bird and Matt Cook steadying things to see us break away slightly to an eleven point win.
Goals: Pirate 3, BJ, Coby, Burkey, Stretch, Animal

Game 2
Dragons : 8 6 54 d. Singapore 2 1 13

If we thought that the Eagles were a little cloudy then Singapore looked like a T-10 had been through the camp! We had their measure from the beginning and with Barree having a larger influence in the forward line (2 goals in the first half) we were ahead 5 goals to nil at half time. Burkey was getting leather poisoning around half back and middle. Animal, BJ and Pirate continued to show their dominance in the middle and we cruised on to an easy win.

Goals: Barr 2, BJ, Mals, Pirate, Animal, Bents, Coby

Final Game

Dragons : 8 4 52 d Eagles: 3 4 22

It would be fair to say that the 4 x 10 minute game the Eagles played against Singapore (in lieu of a pool game AND semi) didn’t hurt the Dragons cause in meeting the Philippines in the final. The tourists valiantly kept up the intensity in the first half and it was a difference of a few points at half time. Spargo (Eagles gun and model player) went off with the blood rule but had been kept very honest by Nico and Salty when he was up forward. A six goal second half for the Dragons meant that we steamed away with a comfortable but well worked win. We had controlled the centre with good ruck work from Jim Bob and Coby, feeding to Quailey, Pirate, BJ, Animal, Cooky and Burkey . We were tidy down back with serious rebounders and steadiers like captain Bird, Hammer, J Baz, Nico and Salty.
Goals: Barree 2, Animal 2, BJ 2, Pirate 2

There is nothing to be getting carried away with as we approach Champs, as the level needed there will be a huge step up from the weekend but, a great effort from all the boys and a start to the hardening-up we need.

OTHER IMPORTANT info.
Sincere thanks to those guys who made the tournament work by their work with the whistle: Gunny (who could not help himself commentating as he umpired, DV (as always a quietly sterling performance) and Jock (managed to blow the whistle a few times between chilling the beers).
Thank you Danielle for looking after the teams medically. .. much appreciated!
To Eamon, OX (word has it that Eagles have put in a bid), Scott (OX’s mate), Tom, Rowan, Dazza, and Boe; a big thanks for making the Eagles a more competitive unit after they arrived with less than ideal numbers for their assault.
Congratulations to first gamers in the Dragons guernsey : Jess, Quailey, BJ, Nico, Pirate
Thanks to the team of Stuch and Coops for co-coaching. To Barree and Bird for on-field leadership and necessary revving at times.
Apparently the Junk trip was a winner with all the tourists. There is a rumour that all AFL Asia teams are investing in a vessel for their club tours. Congratulations to the Dragons committee for a hugely successful weekend.

W