World Footy News

The AFL Middle East season has reached the mid-season, or winter, break with the Dubai Dragons having their say once again. In a shortened competition due to the withdrawal of the Muscat Magpies, the Dragons recorded their second win of the season in an eleven point thriller against the Doha Kangaroos.

The Dragons undertook a significant off-season rebuild with players departing, putting pressure on their claims to another flag. But the win against Doha sees them in the prime position to snare another minor premiership. They now have two wins, the same as the BM Bulls, but with two games to play compared to one for the Bulls.

The game in Doha was tight from the outset. The Dragons led most of the early stages, with a one goal half time lead. But the home side came back hard and jumped out to a ten point lead midway through the final quarter. But the Dragons newer players and last minute replacements stepped up to grab back the lead and hold on for a win.
Dragon’s president, Huwy Jones, recalled the day.

“We won our second game of the year on Friday in Doha, so [we are] undefeated so far. Both teams had a few players out, which made it a very even contest. Three Dragons came out of retirement for the fixture, and all of them contributed in the back line.”

“New Dragons, Dalton Tucker and Brian Harrington played well in the middle. Coby Reynolds our ruckman went head to head with Joey Barnes again in what was an even contest. The Dragons lead most of the day being a goal up at half time. But the Kangaroos were too good for most of the second half, and took a ten point lead midway through the last quarter and were attacking their goals time and time again. Iain Rowe and Will 'The Golden Fist' Cox stood tall for the Dragons though with four desperate clearances resulting in goals to Dragon’s full forward Lachie de Morton. He ended up with 6 goals for the day, as the Dragons won by 11 points.”

“A big shout out goes to both Jake Jackson and Duncan Wilkie (6 foot 8 inches) on kicking their first goals for the club, as well as to Matt Burn as stand-in coach getting us across the line.”

Final Score: Dubai Dragons 10 9 69 d Doha Kangaroos 8 10 58

The loss for Doha all but crosses them out of a grand final berth, having lost all three of their matches to date and playing the BM Bulls in their final match in February.

The Abu Dhabi Falcons and Dubai Dingoes boast a win each. After the break each of them has to meet the Dragons, making the clash between the Falcons and Dingoes in late January a vital match to win to hopefully snare a grand final berth pending the outcomes of other games.

The league is now in winter recess until January 29th when the Dingoes and Falcons clash in Dubai.