Following the Dusk Dragons’ relegation back to VI, the Dragons had almost entirely dropped off the radar of the football world. The manager was repeatedly unavailable for comment following his team’s 7th placing in a season that could be called a spirited, but nonetheless hopeless attempt at surviving in V.95, quickly fading into obscurity. An entire season followed without a single report from the team. Then, mere weeks ago, the team exploded through the VI.112 circuit, placing first in a near-undefeated streak of victories, returning them to V.179 with a brand new name; “Dawn Dragons”.

The young manager of the team, Hilgrad, called a press conference for the first time in months to explain his team’s hiatus, the team’s renaming, and his plans for the future.

“It certainly has been a while. We basically dropped off the face of the world out of shame… We were extremely disappointed that we couldn’t stick around in V.95. We wanted to be the team that pulled it all together, never gave up and pulled out a victory despite any odds going against us into the finals. But we couldn’t take home a victory; in fact, the critical match wasn’t even close. It was disappointing to miss the chance of staying in V.95; the series was the top ranked series and notorious for its’ incredible difficulty. Staying in there for a prolonged time would have done wonders for our team; and would have toughened us up for the inevitable IVs. Instead, we were sent straight back to the VIs; a place both myself and the team believe we didn’t belong, and that we didn’t deserve to return. Following this horrific defeat, our rep had suffered accordingly. Ranked against my rival managers and teams who had pulled together their teams around the same time as myself, we ranked almost at rock bottom due to our relegation back to VI, whereas many of my colleagues were progressing on to V, IV, or even III. I had a talk with the team. We all felt ashamed to be back in VI. So we made a deal. We were going to put our heads down next season, and get our jobs done, to push ourselves back to where we belong in V. Even IF the team was good, you can only get promoted once a season; every moment in VI was a moment of shame, and we would never forgive ourselves if we missed our opportunity to return to V. And on our return to V, in our new series of V.179, we officially unveil a new name for ourselves; the Dawn Dragons, representing a new Dawn, a new team from the ashes of the old.”

He smiled for a second though.

“Although, to be fair, it’s not really that much of a surprise. Technically and officially, we changed the team name back at VI, but now that we’re back, it only seems right that in our first true press conference, that we ‘unveil’ the team name now.”

When queried about the future, both near and far, he hinted at another major change to take place both soon, and in the season break. However, he was clear and open about the upcoming match against series leader WILX.

“For the absolute near future, we’re looking at our top-of-the-table clash against WILX. To be honest, the game strategy all depends on how the restructuring pans out. In the short term, I’m considering some transfers to round out some of the weaker areas of the team. If they proceed before the match with WILX, then so much the better, we’ll go for the victory. However, as it stands this week, our team’s looking at scouting out the opposition, and to try and keep scoring down to a minimum.”

The young manager has been said to have high standards recently while looking at his transfers. In the last few days, it’s been rumored that the three of the players he had been scouting out for these transfers all fell through when he felt that they did not ‘satisfy his requirements’ for the team. When questioned about this rumor, he confirmed it and made his stance clear.

“Yes, the players I had been looking at over the last few days just did not fit the bill. At the moment, I’m looking for either a winger or wingback to toughen up the wings, and a new Central Defender replace the more… lacking defenders in our formation.”

He placed particular emphasis on the word ‘lacking’, and his eyes seemed to darken for a moment before returning to his speech. Many present believe he referred to Sonny Gambrill and his recent performance as Central Defender, turning in an appalling performance the previous week, despite retaining a clean sheet in the match. Some fans find this harsher than they’d normally expect; the old Hilgrad wouldn’t have emphasized such a poor performance due to both the match result (of a clean sheet coupled with high Dragon scoring) as well as Gambrill’s previous record, leading many to believe it to be nothing but an ‘off’ week.

“However, in order to be cohesive, I’m looking for very specific features in these new players, even ones not apparent in the current formation as we look to the future. In terms of a new Central Defender, I need it to be someone respected by the other players, and someone who has the experience and leadership to be able to pull together the defense as a sort of “shadow-captain.” Someone with brilliant leadership, charisma, and the ability to rally their team behind them is a necessity for captain. It’s my opinion that these men are often strikers; after all, strikers are often heralded as heroes whenever a goal is scored; it’s someone you can look to in order to turn around a match. To this date, I have felt that Waldring has filled this role well; he has leadership, he’s a striker, and he was with the team since the beginning as a true Australian player. But while this figurehead role is certainly important, it is also important to recognize the workhorses of the team; the defenders and midfielders that shine in their ability to make the strikers look good through their playmaking. For those that shun this spotlight, a captain to cover the ‘rear-guard’ is needed, and an entire different skillset is needed; one with experience, tactical ability and someone who’s able to rally and tie together the defence and midfield to let the strikers shine through with their counter-attacks. It may be a long search; and in order to fill these traits, we may even recruit from the youth team, even if the player doesn’t exhibit these traits just yet. We will always look towards our hero captain in front for our rallying cries, but our shadow-captain will always be there at the back, supporting our ‘leading man’, and supporting our team in our games.”

Again, Hilgrad referenced another upcoming change in the team.

“This is all towards the unveiling towards the end of this season. There will be another revolution in the team. A new name. A new kit. New players. And perhaps new tactics and new formations. The considerations for each of these factors have already begun. In-fact, items such as the kit have already been decided, and we’re considering from a range of options for new formations. Let me be clear. The team will go dark again at the end of the season. But we will return at the start of the new season, for the new and final unveiling for our team.”

Following Hilgrad’s move up to Queensland, the chances of the Dusk Dragons achieving his season goal of remaining in V.95 and avoiding relegation look slimmer and slimmer with each passing match. Originally basing his plan for avoiding relegation on the stagnation of the team in sixth place, Jugs, having held 5 points for multiple matches, Hilgrad was hoping to have one last victory against promotion rookie and rival, Pimpdaddies. Dusk Dragons were planning on snatching the 3 points away in the last second, assuming Jugs remained the same, in order to snake out of the relegation pit with 6 points at the season’s end. However, on review of the matches remaining, this doesn’t seem anywhere near as achieveable.

A drawn and gaunt-looking Hilgrad addressed the press conference regarding the Dusk Dragons’ situation.

“I must admit, the situation is much worse than we thought. Jugs has not played the key games we thought they had; they still have a match with Pimpdaddies remaining. If Pimpdaddies lose the match, we lose our best chance for a comeback, and unfortunately, this seems likely. Add to this; we have our own matchup against Jugs ourselves in just a few weeks, and considering our current performances, it doesn’t look all that good.”

Hilgrad has stated that he’s looked at the statistics, and come up with a wide range of possible scenarios of what could happen in the last several matches of the season. But beneath the exterior, there was still fire in the young manager’s eyes.

“There’s still a possible outcome that stops us from getting relegated, even if Pimpdaddies lose. We’ll have to make a last minute clutch on the series by winning our matches against BOTH Jugs AND Pimpdaddies. We’ve lost against Jugs in the past, and we’ll struggle greatly just to draw. And even drawing isn’t good enough, we have to make a win from it. It’s one heck of a long shot. But this is V.95, and anything can happen, maybe it’s time for the Dragons to have that ‘something’ happen to them. The statistics and history are against us, but as a little Nike ad once said…”

Hilgrad allowed himself a small smile.

“Stuff history.”

Dusk Dragons have not had a season of pure success, so to speak. On their arrival into V.95, out of the 9 games that have been played, the Dusk Dragons were victorious in only a single match. However, the underdogs as they are, the Dusk Dragons manager, Hilgrad, made it clear in their last press conference that they would fight to avoid relegation at any cost. However, plans have been revealed that the manager is in the process of moving up to Queensland, in fact, moving out of the house within the next 48 hours. Some speculation placed the manager as ‘running away’ from the team and giving up on them. Some particularly superstitious fans call it an ill omen; the manager’s move a metaphor for the relegation and a league move back to VI for the Dusk Dragons. An emergency press conference was held, and the manager had this to say.

“I have been very busy over the last two weeks sorting out the logistics of this move, as well as just being generally swamped with stuff to do. I was intending to make a formal announcement when I was next able to attend to the club, but the only free time I’ve had. In fact, I’ve still got boxes I need to pack.” – Hilgrad, Dusk Dragons manager

The manager thanked his staff for ‘holding down the fort’ in his absence. Regarding the allegations of giving up on the club,

“My move is, by no means, a signal for me to give up on my team, nor is it a sign for things to come. I am just as committed to staying in V.95 as I ever was. It is for strictly personal reasons why I am moving up to Queensland. I’m considering moving the team up with me at the end of the season, but they’ve classically been a Canberra/ACT team, and that’s the way the players and fans remember them. This is a matter still under discussion between myself, the staff, and the fan club. Regardless of the outcome, I leave the team for a few weeks in the hands of my capable staff, and wish them the very best over the next few matches.”

A few hardcore members of the fanclub have made clear their intention to drop out should the club move, declaring the Dragons ‘a Canberra team, and that’s the way it should always be’. However, most of the fan club remains dedicated to the decisions made by Hilgrad; despite managers commonly coming under fire after an 8-game losing streak, the fan club is accepting of the performance of the team and its staff, considering the difficulty of the opposition.

The Dusk Dragons were defeated at home in an unsurprising, but nevertheless stinging loss at home, 1-5 in favour of the Pig Hunters. The manager, Hilgrad, had this to say about the game.

” Over the last few weeks, we’ve been experimenting with our new 5-3-2 formation, practising it in difficult matches. I had thought that the Dusk Dragons were ready for using it in league matches, but obviously, we still need a bit more practice in team organisation before we can start using it effectively. That said though, I have high hopes that after the Dragons will be a more effective team as the players train and improve their skills.”

This comment refers to the disorganisation that the Dragons suffered throughout their match, dropping not once, but twice in the same match.

Praise was given to Kha Đức Minh for scoring the only goal for the Dragons off the counter-attack.

“Kha Đức Minh is a living example of what we were training for with this restructuring of game tactics. He was able to utilize to the best ability our defensive passes and offensive support in order to score a good goal for the team.”

Despite the performance of 1-2 at halftime, three goals with no reply were conceded by full time, following the injury of Roger Tura,Dragons Goalkeeper shortly before half-time, leaving his weaker replacement, Alexandro Aste to take over, in what was reported as the worst Dusk Dragon player on the pitch that day. The manager was livid over the injury Roger Tura had sustained, but no sympathy was given over the timing of the injury.

“It could well have cost us those three goals at a critical point in the game. I am very disappointed with the outcome.”

There are rumours that a replacement Goalkeeper is in the works, but the manager refused to comment on the validity of this conjecture. The manager only had this to say:

“We’ve got a tough road ahead of us, even our loyal fans don’t think we’re worthy of this division. In particular, the next few rounds will be difficult matches. But we’re committed to stay, and we’re not here to just give up and get relegated. Regardless of how outclassed we are, we’ll fight to stay up, and we’ll fight to our last to prove we can stay in this division.”