Swans Super Savvy Coach, Scotty Stacey, has called for a halt to the recruitment drive for new players. Playing a minimum of 4 matches (and a maximunm of 5 matches if we’re good enough to make it into the Grand Final), with 22 players in each match squad, means we need a maximum of just 88 players.

Of our 39 confirmed tourers, 35 are players (at A, B and C level). Additionally, the Swans still have another 3 “definite maybes” on the sidelines. That’s 35 – 38 players. Over 4 matches, we will have between 140 and 152 players available for selection for the 88 positions.

Meanwhile, the Philippines Eagles and Dubai Dingoes have also requested that some of their players join our team.

Originally, we worried whether we would have enough players to field a team. Now we have heaps – and many who “can play”. Coach Scotty is now in the enviable position of having choices in each of our matches. However, given the number of players available for the 88 positions he will be caught between the sometimes competing positions of doing what’s “best” for the team in terms of winning and doing what’s “best” for the team in terms of rewarding those guys who have done so much for the Club.

Accordingly, the Swans have decided to cap the number of players and respectfully decline the requests from the Eagles and Dingoes to field some of their players.

Additionally, any person with claims on the Swans who has not already confirmed their availability to play, has until 11.59pm tomorrow night (Thursday 14 June) to confirm they will attend. 11.59pm will confirm our final player pool for the Champs (if one player pulls out, we could replace them with another). Of course, everyone else will be welcome to attend and umpire, spectate and support. 

This is an extraordinary position for the Swans to be in. The level of interest is amazing. Three years ago, the Hanoi Swans started to dream of competing in the Champs. Recognising we didn’t have the numbers on our own, we began courting Saigon which hasn’t had a footy team in years. We also asked Marty Sharples in Laos, who has graced Dead Cat Stadium (Hanoi) with his silky skills, if he could join us to ensure we really could field a team. And it’s happened. Everyone has been getting on board. We have all needed each other to make our inaugural appearance at the Champs. It’s magnificent.

And what does Super Savvy think? I think he thinks he likes to be in the position where he can call out “Stop!”

Bring on the Champs!