Once again the Thailand Tigers stepped up and organised the Asian Champs. This event has become so huge that few other clubs in Asia can find a ground big enough to host it. And the Tigers have done it so well for so long that few other clubs would be willing to put in the immense time and energy required to bring such an event together, lest they fall short. President Jake McIntosh led a small committee of dedicated Tigers to deliver the marquee tournament of Asia. What an extraordinary effort.

The Tigers entered four teams into the tournament this year, a club record. Each team did themselves proud.

The Division Three Men’s team was, as always, a real mixture of strengths. Old hands like Skinny, Sammo, Jonno and Wazza were joined by a strong group of CUBS, some of whom, like Deng, First and Frankie were real contenders for the first team. The team was strengthened by several Phuket Power boys like Big Chris, Luke, Lauchlan and the recently-injured Billy. On paper the team looked good enough to win Division Three. They ended up last. But the final result doesn’t do their campaign justice. After losing their first match to a strong Hong Kong team they won the remaining two games of the round robin, including a thrilling comeback against Indonesia. The Tigers missed out on the Grand Final by points differential only and in the 3rd vs 4th playoff they rested some of their front-line players. The Barbarians beat them easily in the final game, with Tom “Prime Train” Baulch running amok and kicking goals for fun. The Tigers just ran out of gas.

The Division One Men’s side also had high ambitions. The Tigers had a strong side with James and Dean returning after a strong showing on ANZAC Day, Joffrey again showing his incredible commitment to Asian footy by flying in for the day and the Phuket Power providing several strong players. Unfortunately the fairytale didn’t happen. The standard of Division One was incredibly high and the Tigers simply didn’t have the size and experience of the other sides. But they certainly had a dip. Corry, just three weeks into his AFL career and still unsure about the rules, battled hard down back and did himself proud. Max, all 50kg of him, got steamrolled and was carried from the pitch, later to return and G-Mac, with his discs bulging and knees creaking threw himself around the oval to complete a remarkable comeback. All around the ground the Tigers marked up against players bigger or more experienced than them. They went down fighting with four noble and hard-fought defeats. 

The development of the women’s game in Thailand was highlighted by the Tigers entering both  Division One and Division Two teams this year. In Division Two Bie led the competition in tackles with eighteen, followed closely by Paeng who went on to win an All Asian jumper. Jess and Kay provided stout defense down back and looked a class above Division Two. Gen was in great form, kicking two goals from two kicks and Emma was throwing people around and taking on opponents with great confidence. Lilly really impressed with her tackling and strength around the contest and Madison and Aoey were strong down back. Fah and Toon showed real improvement and have been tipped by coach Pez as players to watch out for in 2026. 

The Tigers Women dominated Division One right up to the Grand Final. The ball stayed in the forward line for most of the competition, the Tigers doing a great job of implementing a zone defense that their opponents couldn’t break through. Tackling and intensity at the breakdown were a highlight. Amber and Bee provided a lot of attack from the backline and Nok was a reliable backline presence. Dee, Jane, Dream and Sophie worked tirelessly in the midfield and generally beat their opponents. In a thrilling game against Cambodia the Tigers almost had their hearts broken as the Eagles kicked a goal after the siren to win it, only for the field umpire to overturn it. But as fate would have it the Tigers were knocked out in the semi-final by Malaysia by just one goal.

There were so many fantastic stories from the day. Peck being stretchered into an ambulance in a neck brace only to return to the field half an hour later. Sammo dominating down back, blood oozing from a head knock taken earlier in the tournament, Correy, playing on after the ball hit the post and that legend of Asian footy, Gunny, running on for his 100th Asian Champs game and later at the fine session turning plenty of heads with his choice of swimwear. Let’s not forget Hooey, playing in his last tournament for the Tigers after his short return. What a difference he has made to this team and how sorely will he be missed. There is too much to be written and not enough space. It only needs to be said that the Asian Champs did what it was meant to do, it brought together the footy community in Asia and every Tiger involved should feel immensely proud. 

Women’s Division 1 Thailand Tigers 0.5.5 d Cambodian Eagles 0.1.1 Thailand Tigers 3.7.25 d Singapore Wombats 0.0.0 Thailand Tigers 0.9.9 d Malaysian Warriors 1.0.6 Semi Final Malaysian Warriors 2.0.12 d Thailand Tigers 1.2.8  Grand Final Malaysian Warriors 2.1.13 d Singapore Wombats 3.0.3	Men’s Division 1 Vietnam Swans 6.3.39 d Thailand Tigers 2.3.15 Singapore Wombats 1.5.11 d Thailand Tigers 1.1.7 Indonesian Volcanoes 3.3.21 d Thailand Tigers 1.2.8 Hong Kong Dragons 8.3.53 d Thailand Tigers 1.1.7 Grand Final Hong Kong Dragons 6.7.43 d Singapore Wombats 0.0.0
Women’s Division 2 Indonesian Volcanoes 2.1.13 d Thailand Tigers 1.0.6 Hong Kong Dragons 5.5.35 d Thailand Tigers 1.1.7 Barbarians 3.2.20 d Thailand Tigers 1.0.6 Semi Finals Hong Kong Dragons 5.3.33 d Thailand Tigers 0.0.0 Grand Final Hong Kong Dragons 4.8.32 d Indonesian Volcanoes 0.0.0	Men’s Division 3 Hong Kong Dragons 3.4.22 d Thailand Tigers 0.0.0 Thailand Tigers 4.1.25 d Barbarians 0.1.1 Thailand Tigers 3.2.20 d Indonesia 2.3.15 Barbarians 7.3.45  d Thailand 2.1.13 Grand Final Hong Kong Dragons 5.2.32 d Indonesian Volcanoes 0.2.2