World Footy News

The AFL Middle East got underway on Friday 24 October, with three matches in three different Gulf countries. Over 400 spectators attended the matches, giving a strong indication that the league will be a success.

In a Dubai derby, the Heat defeated the newly-formed Dragons, whilst the city's third club ventured to Qatar to defeat the Doha Kangaroos. In the third match, the Muscat Magpies defeated the visiting Abu Dhabi Falcons.

AFL Middle East Commercial Manager Stephen Nugent gave us a run-down of first round results.

Dubai Heat def. Dubai Dragons

Reigning Asian champions the Dubai Heat took on the newly formed Dubai Dragons at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence and once again the Heat proved why they are one of the most formidable teams competing in any league outside Australia; beating the Dragons 18.12 (120) to 4.6 (30) with strong performances by Best-on-Ground Sam Troon, former Collingwood and Sydney stalwart Andrew Schauble and Cameron Hotton who once again made sure that the Heats backline was almost impenetrable.

The Dragons performed best in the second quarter, actually out scoring the Heat by seven points. Nick Hart and Chris Weise both put in a stellar performance. Unfortunately their heroics weren’t enough to stop the Heat from proving they team to beat in the Middle East.

The main game was preceded by 2 Auskick games. Over 60 kids in attendance it looks like the future of footy is bright in the UAE.

Dubai Dingoes def. Doha Kangaroos

The Dubai Dingoes, the Middle East’s pioneer footy club, travelled to Doha to take on the Kangaroos and with only a goal separating the teams the last time they met this contest was being touted as the toughest of the round. Doha have grown in strength in the last 6 months and in front of a partisan home crowd they put up a ferocious fight against the more experienced Dingoes.

Both teams are well coached, Doha by Gary Johnson the man behind the growth of the game in Qatar and the Dingoes by Mick Patton, a former Australian jumps jockey and to their credit both coaches had got their game plans right although the Dingoes executed theirs perfectly and despite being down at quarter time they nosed ahead and managed to stay in front.

Yet again Adam Moore starred for the Dingoes assisted by captain-for-the-day Michael Puhle. The Dingoes ran out eventual winners 16.20 (116) to 12.14 (86). The Roos gave the Dingoes quite a scare and proved to be a very difficult team to beat. Teams travelling to Doha can expect a very tough game.

Muscat Magpies def. Abu Dhabi Falcons

The Etihad-sponsored Abu Dhabi Falcons travelled to Oman to take on the Muscat Magpies and in a very physical contest the home side came away with the win 17.13 (115) to 11.12 (78). The Magpies have a strong mix of young guns and older, more experienced heads and will be very hard to beat at home.

Chris Holmes notched up five goals for the Magpies and Marc Peterson scored five for the Falcons. The Falcons are sure to re-group as they have a wonderful club structure with president Jay Mears driving the club forward both on and off the pitch and with a list of over 40 they will be well prepared for their next game, this time at home.

AFL Middle East CEO, Ian Simm, was delighted with the success of the Round 1. "We feel that footy in the region is going from strength to strength and full credit must go to the clubs for preparing so well, especially the Dubai Dingoes and Abu Dhabi Falcons who flew to their first games."

"We are also delighted with how well Auskick is progressing in the UAE and we must thank the Auskick volunteers for a job well done. We are now looking forward to the Round 2 and if the first round is anything to go by, footy in the Middle East is here to stay."