World Footy News

There is something truly ominous brewing in the Middle East. Whilst the new 2013/14 season is only three games old, with Round 2 completed last week, it is the Dubai Dragons who are out of the blocks like a veritable Speedy Gonzales inviting all other teams to catch them if they are to be stopped from winning three flags in succession.

Granted, there is a long way to go. This year’s format for the AFL Middle east draw sees eight rounds, with each team playing six matches. There is plenty of time for some teams to fall away, others to come alive or upsets to occur. But therein lays one of the pointers to the season. Of the three games played, the Dragons have played two of them…for two wins.

With comfortable wins by 58 points against the Muscat Magpies and 51 points against the Abu Dhabi Falcons, the Dragons have two wins already from their 6 matches. They also play these two teams again of their remaining four. Statistically, it will already be difficult to peg them back.

But not impossible.

The Doha Kangaroos (runners up last year) and the Dubai Dingoes (third last year) will want to have a say in these proceedings, and will not allow the Dragons to simply call the shots for the remainder of the season. The Dingoes meet the Dragons in the local Dubai derby on 6th December (Round 4), whilst the Kangaroos must wait until 7th February (Round 7) to flex their muscle in the grand final replay.

The Kangaroos and Dingoes faced off last week in their Round 2 clash,with the boys from Qatar too strong for their Dubai opponents winning by 5 goals. Based on last year’s results, and the games already played, Doha could well be undefeated also by the time they meet the Dragons, with clashes against the Abu Dhabi Falcons and Muscat Magpies either side of the festive season break.

Nevertheless, the data says that any team with a loss to their name is already falling behind the eight ball. The Dubai Dragons, with two wins from two starts, would need something exceptional to occur from here to upset their apple cart and derail their chance of a three peat success.

World Footy News will look closely again at the lay of the land once the AFL Middle East teams go into recess after their Round 4 matches. The break will give all sides a chance to re-evaluate their season and initiate their final assaults on the finals. All teams have the chance still to turn around their fortunes or consolidate their progress to date. Nothing is over until it’s over.

Though from the Dubai Dragons the message is clear: “Catch us if you can”.

For those interested in following the AFL Middle East, you can visit their website at afl-me.com. You can also go to their Facebook page here.