World Footy News

The Dubai Dragons have created an amazing dynasty in recent years. With four flags from the past five seasons there is an argument that maybe it’s time for a rebuild and maybe the new season will belong to fellow Dubai teams the rising Bulls or the rebuilding Dingoes, the Kangaroos from Doha or the Falcons from Abu Dhabi.

But the club, whilst losing some players, have also rebuilt their list for yet another flag tilt.

Former club president and now AFL Middle East President, Matt Burn, updated the Dragon’s progress. “The first session for the pre-season was August 16. [The team] have been training twice a week since then with numbers getting better each week.”

“[We have lost] Mark Browne (moved back to Australia), Huwy Jones (retired.....AGAIN), Clinton Southorn (free transfer to Abu Dhabi Falcons), Brian Harrington (free transfer to Doha Kangaroo's), Coby Reynolds (moved to Hong Kong), John MacFarlane (moved back to Perth), Dalton Tucker (moved back to Adelaide) and Jake Jackson (moved to UK)”

“[But we have added] Paul Sanhueza aka ‘Chile’ (returning from Australia, original Dragon), Anthony Manton (been in Dubai for 5 years but never played in the league), Ben Leaver (out of retirement), Jono Bannister (missed last season due to injury), Nicolas Posada (missed last season due to injury), Gerard Maher (new to Dubai), Luke Donald (returning from a year off football) and Mushal Nisthar aka Mushy (Sri Lankan/Aussie, enjoying a strong pre-season).


According to Dragon’s coach Rich Wharton, “Pre-season for the Dragons has been solid over the summer and the boys have been working pretty hard in the desert heat. While we’ve had a few premiership players moving on in the offseason, it’s been great to welcome some new and returning faces to the group.”

“We know that we’ve got some new challenges this season, and the success we’ve had in previous season counts for nothing now - like all teams we start from zero”

“We’re looking forward to next week’s pre-season comp, to put our practice into action, try some new things and give everyone a chance to blow out some cobwebs before the real season starts!”

President Iain Rowe added, “It’s great to have footy back again after a long off-season! Off the field, it’s fantastic to have our key sponsors coming on board again, we’ve got a social calendar that’s bursting with events and we’ve had some new additions to our Committee.”

“The Dragons family also continues to grow with three new future Dragons born in the last few months and more due to arrive this year - so I suspect there might be a family theme to this season’s social events!”

Matt Burn also mentioned that the league (AFL Middle East) is still seeking sponsorship in the hope that there may be some interested parties wishing to get behind the league.

All in all, the Dubai Dragons are preparing to re-establish themselves as a power even in a time of transition. It certainly doesn’t look like their dynasty is going to end any time soon.