World Footy News

The Dubai Dingoes' Joel Preston was extensively interviewed on Adelaide's top sports radio show, hosted by South Australian footy stalwarts Graham Cornes and K.G. Cunningham. Cornes was a star player with Glenelg in the SANFL and Cunningham a state cricketer and long serving football umpire. The duo are in Dubai for the NAB Cup opener between Adelaide and Collingwood, and have spent a lot of the time discussing Dubai and the conditions for football.

Reports suggest the field is in good condition, with interviewed Crows players saying it was firm but okay underfoot, despite a recent sandstorm. Temporary seating and amenities have been installed and a crowd of anywhere between 4000 and 10,000 has been predicted, though the lower end of that range is likely.

There's also been plenty of media for the event, some of which is listed here, but there's also apparently been some off-field talk that might not be healthy, though a recent update from Joel is that the situation should not be an issue on the day.

Slightly disturbingly, in discussing the curtain raiser Multiplex Cup between the emirate's two Aussie Rules sides, the Dubai Heat and Dubai Dingoes, it was clear that the animosity that we've certainly seen filter through at worldfootynews.com, has not abated and was present at a function yesterday. Joel wasn't advocating a rough match, but K.G. and Cornes had obviously heard others making a case for it. There appears to be some risk that players may see the match as a chance to settle some disputes through an overly physical encounter. Although it's true that not too many locals are likely to be watching to get a bad impression of the sport, it's worth reminding all involved that the match is an exhibition of our game and does not need violence to mar what should be a friendly if spirited encounter.

Running an article on this topic may risk inflaming the situation more, but hopefully the captains of both clubs can lay down the law to their teams. It only takes a few acts of sportsmenship early on to set a positive but competitive tone for the match. If things did degenerate, besides smearing the sport, one would wonder whether the AFL would ever invite the sides for a curtain raiser again, and whether the AFL or any local philanthropists would ever seriously consider supporting development there.

Update: Latest information from Joel at the Dingoes is that he's confident the clubs will play in good spirits and both have agreed that any untoward behaviour will result in the immediate removal of the player from the field, not that's he is expecting that to be necessary. He doesn't feel there is any real issue, and the game should be a good promotion for footy.

Enjoy the carnival, have a great game, play hard but fair, and enjoy the big match afterwards.

Meanwhile the AFL match is getting a fair bit of media in Dubai. Here's some of the many articles there and in Oz:

Magpies take Dingoes under their wing - good news as the Dingoes form a sister-club relationship with Collingwood

League of their own - the AFL's Adrian Anderson says the UAE match was intended as a one-off, but the AFL planned to play more pre-season matches overseas in future years and an overseas game for Premiership points was a possibility.

Dubai ready for big kick off

Historic first for Australian game in Middle East

Aussie Rules: Clash of the AFL titan - photo section

Aussie Rules: Clash of the AFL titans (you could even vote for Aussie Rules in their poll)

Teams promise an action-packed Aussie Rules show

Lockyer to lead Magpies in Dubai

Adelaide versus Collingwood will be live on Channel 7 across much of Australia on Saturday night, and on delay in most other major Australian centres. The AFL have suggested the Dubai match is a test case for assembling a temporary arena for an international match, and the incredible set up put together for this match in the UAE seems to have been a great success. You can see the transformation from polo fields to a decent little ground here.