World Footy: Dubai Heat the hot tip in Middle East AFL

By Sheikh Mohammed bin Rocket

Reigning Middle East AFL premier the Dubai Heat, fresh from their triumph at the Asian Club Championship in Kuala Lumpur in early September, again look the team to beat when the competition gets underway this weekend.

The Heat will be at home to the Doha Kangaroos, who have had forty players training under coach Gary Johnson, the former Adelaide-listed forward who is now based in Qatar. Johnson will be assisted by former Oakleigh (VFA) star Billy Barker. Apparently, the Kangaroos have picked up a number of state league players who’ve moved to the country. However, at this stage they remain an unknown quantity.

Former Victorian Amateurs captain James Hope is in charge of the Heat, with Andrew Bereza as his skipper. The Heat have managed to retain most of their premiership squad including ex-Collingwood reserves player Cam Hotton, dashing midfielder Sam Troon, and former Sydney best and fairest Andrew Schauble. The Heat has taken all before them in recent seasons and are yet to taste defeat in the Middle East AFL.

New club, the Bahrain Blues, will travel to the UAE for its first competition match against the Dubai Dragons. The Blues have managed to cobble together a squad of players from various codes of football with ex-Norwood player Damian Sheehan and Tasmanian Stewart Beechey expected to lead the way.

Dragons coach Damian McNair has had good numbers at training and is expecting his team, led by skipper Ian Munroe, to get the season away with a win over the newcomers.

Both Dubai games will be played at The Sevens rugby complex in Dubai. The day will kick off with an Auskick session at 3pm, followed by the Dragons and Bahrain game at 4pm, with the Heat taking on Doha at 5.45pm.

Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Falcons will be at home to the Dubai Dingoes in what is likely to be a closely fought contest. Former New Norfolk (Tasmania) star Peter Free is again charge of the Abu Dhabi outfit, which will rely on the rugged Matt Brunsdon, ex-Brighton Old Boy Matt Wood, and the silky-skilled Sandgroper Johnny “Pav” Lenon.

The Dingoes’ charge will be led by skipper Zac Donnez and flamboyant forward Kym “Plugger” Harris. The Dubai team beat the Falcons in last season’s consolation final and will go into this fixture confident about repeating the dose.

Comments

  1. LAST YEARS COLEMAN MEDALIST says

    I’m sure we’re (Abu Dhabi Falcons)relying on Mr Rugged, Mr Old Boy (I played 3rds) and Mr Silky (this is my first seniors game ever) for the win hahahaha…

    SUCK IT UP BOYS….

  2. Rocket,

    Pete is a Glenorchy Boy, the Norfolk boy “Watto” will take care of the admin

  3. Rocket Rod Gillett says

    Round 1 Results:

    Dubai Dragons 13.13.91 d Bahrain Blues 9.7.61
    Dubai Heat 19.23.137 d Doha Kangaroos 2.5.17
    Abu Dhabi Falcons 20.10.130 d Dubai Dingoes 7.4.46

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