World Footy News

Ed: As the Doha Kangaroos bask in the glory of the recent maiden premiership, the following Grand Final match review has been made available with the assistance of Matt Burn, president of the Dubai Dragons.

It was a hot day out at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai with no relieving wind at the ground. The match was played on the same pitch used for the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens and was in magnificent condition. A good crowd was in attendance with vocal supporters from both teams who stirred into the grandness of the occasion with the national anthem setting the scene for the day.

The opening quarter saw Doha start the strongest and looked switched on kicking the first 2 goals of the game. Just five minutes into the game Dragons lost their leading goal kicker Ryan Perkins with a fractured cheekbone from a big hit. However, the Dragons bounced back to take the lead, with utility Mark Browne making an impact. Just before quarter time another injury blow for the Dragons losing their captain Huwy Jones with a calf injury. At the first break the Dragons held the lead 25-21.

The second quarter was a classic arm wrestle but Doha made the most of their chances kicking 3.1 compared to the wasteful 1.6 to the Dragons. Irish quick small forward Tom Donoghue, who also has had an Asian Gaelic Football Championship win with the Doha team, was playing some good football off half forward. The game was getting fiery when a large melee started after another big hit on a Dragon player. However, Doha went into the break three points up 40-37.

The third quarter, or premiership quarter, arrived and Doha come out firing with the first 3 goals. Ben Simpson (BOG medal) was everywhere and showing his skills and fitness were no match for the Dragons. The Dragons answered with a late, sneaky goal by Matt Burn handballing to himself over an opponent then finishing the job, but at the final break it was Doha leading by 13 points 64-51.

The final quarter arrived with both teams hoping to write their newest page in their club’s history. But the Dragons could not break the Doha defence which was led by their big full-back Simon Davies (played with the Southern Power in Sydney) who was a brick wall all day. As the quarter progressed Doha started to run all over the tired Dragons. Ryan Christian, who runs triathlons before games (true story), was showing superior fitness which lifted the rest of the side to the finish line and premiership glory. The Doha Kangaroos won their first ever AFL Middle East premiership 83-57.

Other key players on the day included Joe Barnes from NZ (Doha) and Coby Reynolds (Dragons) who fought a great battle in the ruck. They didn't stop jumping all day. Jeremy Onions (Dragons), was an effective small forward and kicked 2 goals. Lach de Morton filled in for the injured Perko with 3 majors while Chris Yue and Dylan Alexander (Doha) made a terrific father son combination, both getting goals.

The challenge has now been set for the 2014/15 season. Reigning premiers, the Doha Kangaroos, have been the first club to remove the premiership cup from its original home, the United Arab Emirates. They are determined to hold the silverware for a long time to come, so the Dragons, Dubai Dingoes and Abu Dhabi Falcons will need to fight hard to claim the honour back. Or will this be the motivation to see the Muscat Magpies rise to glory, or even the Bahrain Blues to return and seek their own new chapter?

Whatever happens, the 2013/14 season has been a fascinating journey, complete with a fairy-tale ending for the Doha Kangaroos and the game’s supporters in Qatar.