World Footy News

Back in the 2013/14 season, the Doha Kangaroos were a team on the rise, and rose so far they toppled the Dubai Dragons to take their inaugural AFL Middle East premiership. In fact, the Kangaroos are the only team to have interrupted what might otherwise have been five straight Dragon flags. That in itself shows the magnitude of the Doha Kangaroos performance.

Since then, the Qatar-based Kangaroos have found life a little tougher. A series of injuries, player departures and access to training facilities have conspired to make things harder. But, according to the Kangaroos coach, Pitre Bourdon, things are set to change. “Things are looking up this year and we are hoping to be a more competitive unit this season”.


“Training commenced on September 18 after the Eid break. The club is experiencing difficulties in securing training and match venues as access to grass pitches in Doha is becoming more and more expensive and restrictive of their usage.” But the Kangaroos are embracing the challenges and finding a way.

The club has also seen players leave. “Key ruckman and multiple AFLME B&F winner, and club captain, Joe Barnes has moved from Doha to Bangkok with work. Also, 2014 premiership defender Hugh Robertson has moved back to Australia. Both will be big losses.”

“But we have had player arrivals. Brian Harrington, 2016 premiership player with the Dubai Dragons, has moved with work to Doha and will be a valuable recruit, potentially helping to offset the loss of Joe Barnes. Marcus Hull is a tall forward from country South Australia and has also recently arrived in Doha – he is showing promising signs on the training track. Also, 2014 premiership full back Simon Davies will be making a welcome return after missing last season with a knee injury.”

Whilst the Kangaroos went winless for last season on paper, the reality is they lost to the Dingoes by a single point, Dragons by 11 points and Falcons by 13 points, remaining competitive, and a touch unlucky, in most games. This suggests that with a few tweaks and some luck, the Kangaroos could be the surprise packet of the new season.

Time will tell, but the Kangaroos have belief.