Dragons bidding for fifth successive AFL Middle East Premiership title

David Cooper - Writer 09:42 21/03/2019
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  • Dubai Dragons go into Friday’s AFL Middle East League final bidding to capture a seventh title in eight years when they face Multiplex Bulls at the Sevens Stadium.

    This is a repeat of last year’s decider which Dragons won in clinical fashion, but Bulls have grown in confidence and look a more composed outfit since their maiden season in 2015.

    Both sides have tasted victory over each other in recent months; the Dragons prevailed by three points in round one, but the Bulls atoned in January, winning by 13 points in round five of the league.

    If the Dragons can attain the same level of dominance around the middle, they will be hard to handle.

    With Travis Hayward and Spencer Whittaker pulling the strings from deep, they have the opportunity to unleash the significant qualities of Daniel Gribbin in attack.

    Dragons coach Chris Burke is relishing the prospect of clinching a four successive title, telling Sport360: “It has been a successful year on the back of solid preseason and the addition of a number of new recruits into the club.

    “The Bulls showed lots of strengths in round five, the narrow defeat fuelling the fire for our boys to regain the loss of the minor premiership by throwing absolutely everything at it this weekend.

    “There is a lot of energy around the club and Tuesday’s training has us very excited leading into the showdown Friday.”

    This should be an enthralling, wide open game, with Nathan Holly’s Bulls sure to be resilient as they go in search of a first crown after four consecutive Grand Final defeats.

    In many ways they have looked a more effective team this season, hammering Abu Dhabi Falcons and Dubai Dragons by a staggering average of 102 points in recent matches.

    In Ted Stobart, Bulls have a key player who can pose a threat with and without the ball.

    Holly said: “The season so far has been the Bulls strongest to date, taking out the pre-season cup in Bahrain and then to finish top of the ladder at the end of the season we truly believe that this year is the year of the Bull.

    “With having a squad that are fully fit and as eager as ever to right the wrongs of the previous years, we’ve had phenomenal numbers to every training session in the lead up to Friday’s grand final which is great for all involved at the Bullpen.”

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