By Chris McAsey
There was always going to be a new team crowned Division 1 Asian Champion in 2025, with a new regional structure meaning PNG would not be joining the competition.
But which team would emerge as the new powerhouse? Before PNG’s run of four consecutive wins (2019 and 2022 – 24, with two years lost to Covid-19), five countries shared the spoils from 2014 to 2018 – Singapore (2014), Hong Kong (2015), Philippines (2016), Malaysia (2017) and Indonesia (2018).
Apart from these ‘traditional’ powerhouses, Thailand’s flourishing local development program and a recent Indochina Cup win showed their young squad was on the rise.
Swans and Wombats make early running
The Vietnam Swans and Singapore Wombats made some big statements in the early matches at Chon Buri over the weekend. The Wombats knocked off eventual premier Hong Kong (2.2.14 v 1.5.11) before the Swans (3.3.21) rolled the Wombats (1.4.10).
Singapore v Hong Kong
The field looked wide open until the Hong Kong Dragons sharpened their claws in the afternoon session, overpowering Vietnam in a bruising and high quality encounter (5.1.31 v 2.0.12). The Dragons’ big win in the last match of the qualifying round over Thailand (51-7) stamped them as the team to beat.
Singapore v Thailand
In the end, the Hong Kong v Singapore Grand Final was a surprisingly one-sided affair, with the Dragons’ momentum carrying them to a comprehensive 6.7.49 to 0.0.0 win.
The 2025 title gave Hong Kong outright leadership on the Asian Championships table, with 7 titles, followed by Singapore (6), PNG (4), Indonesia and Dubai (3), and the Philippines and Malaysia (1).
Indonesia v Thailand
Despite their strong showing in 2025, the Vietnam Swans are yet to win a Div 1 title, but they certainly look in the mix. Bring on 2026!
Final Div 1 Men’s Standings
- Hong Kong Dragons
- Singapore Wombats
- Vietnam Swans
- Indonesian Volcanoes
- Thailand Tigers
See the full Asian Championships table
Grand Final match report – Hong Kong footy’s high mark after dominating Div 1
