With the local footie season upon us we have the lowdown on each team aiming to compete for the AFL Middle East Premiership title.
From the key players to our predictions for the year, we have you covered.
Who do you think will win?
ABU DHABI FALCONS
ESTABLISHED: 2007
PREMIERSHIPS: 1; 2010/11
Coach: Josh Walker
Captain: Zac Moon
Key Players: Zac Moon, Mick Davidson, Adam Bence
2017/18 SEASON: 3rd
SPORT360 PREDICTION: 3rd.
The Falcons have been pushing for the top three the past three seasons but have lost some key matches by the smallest of margins.
Key stalwarts Tommy Roberts, Dan Newton and Shane Kitts have left the club but strong summer recruitment has the Falcons in positive mood ahead of the new season.
If they snatch a few early wins it could really rock the premiership ladder.
DUBAI DINGOES
ESTABLISHED: 2006
PREMIERSHIPS: 0
Coach: Nigel Prasad
Captain: Ben Dawson
Key Players: Jess Mcguirk, Tyler Rumble, Jeremy Gwyer, Rob Calandra
2017/18 SEASON: 4th
SPORT360 PREDICTION: 4th.
The Dingoes play a competitive and attractive brand of footy but have failed to topple the Bulls and the Dragons over the past few seasons.
With fresh faces, the oldest club in the league will be bidding to bounce back and fight it out for a place among the top two.
Still searching for that elusive title.
DUBAI DRAGONS
ESTABLISHED: 2008
PREMIERSHIPS: 6; 2011/12, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Coach: Chris Burke
Captain: Luke Bryon
Key Players: Travis Hayward, Spencer Whittaker, Daniel Gribbin
2017/18 SEASON: Premiers
SPORT360 PREDICTION: 2nd.
Have been the dominant team in the region since 2012. Under new coach Chris Burke, the defending champions look a composed and organised unit, who are sprinkled with talent across the field.
But how long can their supremacy last, especially with four-time finalists the Bulls chasing that maiden crown?
MULTIPLEX BULLS
ESTABLISHED: 2014
PREMIERSHIPS: 0
COACH: Nathan Holly
CAPTAIN: Nathan Holly
KEY PLAYERS: Jack Egan, Ted Stobart, Nathan Holly
2017/18 SEASON: Runners-up
SPORT360 PREDICTION: 1st
After falling short the past four seasons the Bulls will no doubt come out firing on all cylinders for the new season.
Although they are shorn of the services of star man Nick Burchell who moved home to Australia, we expect the Bulls to overturn last year’s narrow defeat in the Grand Final and finally lift the flag.
