Champions 2007

TRIUMPH and ELATION are two words that best sum up the feeling of the Deloitte Dragons and their faithful supporters after running away with their first ever championship.

The end score (45 - 23) was not a true reflection of how tough the game was against the Ballbaggers. However it typified the Dragons' consistent, team-oriented and stellar season!

The Grand Final didn't get off to the smoothest of starts for the Dragons. Already missing Ben Hot Shot Hui (injury), Matty the Rocket Fraser and Frank the Tank (both interstate), the Dragons found themselves starting the game without Big Fella Boyd and their top scorer Top Cat Cartwright. Before too long, the Dragons found themselves in an 8-2 hole, and early tempers began to boil...

An eruption of emotion from Hadjitello saw him amass 4 fouls (2 technicals) in world record time (opening 7 minutes) - leaving ominous signs of a Dragons implosion. The arrival of Top Cat and Big Fella could not have come at a better time, with Top Cat immediately having an impact on the scoreboard.

Down 8-4, the Dragons were in need of a game-breaker, and they certainly found one by the name of Chin "Sharpshooter" Phoa. Chin proved why he earned his nickname, coming up huge for the Dragons in their biggest ever game. "He was on fire. He shot the lights out, and before you knew it, we were running away with the game." - Top Cat.

Chin went on a scoring spree in the next phase of the game, amassing 10 points (his limit for the half) in a matter of minutes. He was on fire from beyond the three point arc, hitting three 3s and also showing what he was made of under the basket, pulling up for a soft hook-shot from the corner of the key. "Every time Chin got the ball, I knew something special was going to happen. Every time it went up I knew it was going to be good. He just had his stroke on all night and it was awesome to see." - Hadjitello

A combination of staunch, disciplined defense for the remainder of the half, and some excellent work under the basket by Brooke Arrowsmith and AK Kojevnikov saw the Dragons take a 20 - 12 lead into the half time break. Their opponents clearly bewildered at the Dragons ability to shut them down and pour on the points in quick fashion.

The second half saw the emergence of the defensive monster known as Big Fella Boyd! "He was everywhere, throwing his long arms up at every loose ball and intercepting multiple Ballbaggers passes. The funniest part was when one of the chicks from the other team thought she had an open jump-shot and in comes Boydy from behind her, blocking the absolute crap out of her and causing a turnover leading to more Dragons points." - Sharpshooter Phoa, commenting on Big Fella's defensive commitment.

The Dragons' relentless pressure and ability to remain consistent and come up big in times of need really summarised their inaugural season. The Grand Final saw the Dragons display some of their finest skill of the season, with point guard Hadjitello bedazzling the Ballbaggers with his ball-handling and quick-fire passing. "We just controlled the ball extremely well on offense. Brooke was a continual option, finding herself open for some easy baskets, and I was able to get the ball to the girls freely because they just kept moving and making space for each other." - Hadjitello

The Ballbaggers were bedazzled so much so that they resorted to dirty physical tactics to try to put the Dragons off their game. Despite tempers flaring and some push and shove between the boys on both teams, it was too little, too desperate and too late. The Dragons were quick to re-group and continued to concentrate on their goal, which was to win the game on the scoreboard and run out champions.

Inspirational captain DK Kang fought off the debilitating flu to pour on the points and slash her way through the opposition in the second half, and it was extremely fitting that as she made a steal and ran in for the match ending basket as the clock wound down on a fabulous Dragons season.

Once again, an extremely strong crowd turnout provided an extra spark for the Dragons, who love putting on a show for their fans. Led by number 1 ticket-holder James "Jimbob" Wright, the support crew of Sanji "Paparazzi" Mahendran, CK Khaw, Dominator Malekas, John Cotton and John Cotton Jnr, Emilie McNamara, Mike "Man-friend" Chow and Mehdi "Tunak Tunak Spiritual Leader" Naseeruddin was vocal, enthusiastic and right behind the Dragons thoughout every bump, basket and rebound!

Tickets for next season are selling out fast...erm...Next season starts next week, with the Dragons moving up a division and looking to continue their success.

"We will celebrate this win for a while, but we will be quick to get back out there and chase down another championship against more teams. We are out to put Deloitte on the sporting map and also have a great time doing so." - Brooke Arrowsmith