Posted by Vietnam Swans on January 8, 2008
Last week, the Swans Blog was down at Phillip Island in Victoria. The Blog visited the Phillip Island race track - the home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix – and unexpectedly stumbled across a Swans hat tied to the perimeter fence. Unheard of, amazing and unbelievable.
The discovery of the Swans hat in such a place gives added weight to suspicions that our hats are spreading further and faster than a nest of randy rabbits!
Phillip Island will host the 2008 Grand Prix and Superbikes in March.
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Posted by Vietnam Swans on August 6, 2007
The 2007 Saigon Saints Vietnam Airlines AFL Grand Final Brunch’s campaign has officially kicked off with the announcement that they have recruited Rod Ashman as their special guest speaker.
For those of you who aren’t fully familiar with Rod Ashman, Rod used to play for the Eaglehawk Football Club (near Bendigo, Victoria) and managed to pick up the Best and Fairest in 1972…
But as well as Eaglehawk, Rod went on to play 230 games for Carlton and played in their back to back premiership teams in 1981 and 1982. He was also named in Carlton’s Team of the Century as a forward pocket (apparently for the Blues Team of the 21st Century, the selectors are still waiting to see who plays in 2099 before committing).
The 2007 Saigon Saints Vietnam Airlines AFL Grand Final Brunch will be held on Saturday 29 September at the Legend Hotel. As well as Rod Ashman, it will feature a live telecast of the Grand Final on big screens, free flow wine and beer, a full day buffet and raffles - all for just 600,000VND (USD38).
All proceeds from the event will go to the Loreto Vietnam-Australia Program.
The event has a maximum of 240 guests (30 were turned away last year) and already 120 tickets have been allocated for sponsors and those travelling from Vung Tau and Australia.
The remaining tickets go on sale on 1 September – but the Saigon Rugby Football Club - which played a big part in the Vietnam Swans inaugural campaign at the Asian Champs – also has access to tickets.
For those wanting to sign up, email the SRFC Prez, Chris “Fines Master” Pago. Or, contact Darren Cotter the organiser of the Grand Final Day on dcotter@hcm.fpt.vn
Whatever you do, if you’re going to be in Saigon on 29 September, there’s only one place you will want to be: at the 2007 Saigon Saints Vietnam Airlines AFL Grand Final Brunch.
PS Keep your eyes peeled for the revolutionary Countdown Clock to the AFL Grand Final on the Swans Blog. It’s set to appear soon and is expected to be awwwwwwesome.
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Posted by Vietnam Swans on August 1, 2007
It would appear that since the heady days of Asian Championships Eve, the Swans Blog has been in a state of decline. Since that awesome day of 234 hits, the peaks have got lower – but not yet the troughs.
Nevertheless, it seems that the world’s financial markets have noticed, have been spooked and have plunged accordingly – as clearly shown in the attached graphs. George W. is taking no chances and has already directed former Fed Chairman, Alan Greenspan, to visit the Swans hierarchy. Apparently, Alan believes there has been some “irrational exuberance” surrounding the Swans of late.
“And why wouldn’t you be irrational?” adds Bill Lawry. “A great club, great record, great people. Perfect day for football today, here at Dead Cat Stadium in Hanoi…”.
Bill might just be on to something. The Hong Kong Dragons, winners of the 2007 Asian Championships are confirmed to tour Vietnam (HCMC) on 1 September – as are the Brunei Sharks on 13 October and Thailand Tigers on 17 November.
Additionally, today word was received from the Malaysian Warriors that they would welcome a tour by the Swans in Feb/March and they want to play in Vietnam again next year. Meanwhile, our Elephant friends over in Laos have floated the idea of touring to Vietnam before the end of the year (more on this mega story later).
We also have two mega Grand Final events in Vietnam on 29 September. In Hanoi, the Official Vietnam Swans 2007 AFL Grand Final Party will be held at Jaspas. In Saigon, continuing a very fine tradition, the Saigon Saints Grand Final Brunch will be held at the Legend Hotel.
Irrational or not, there are serious quantities of exuberance in Vietnam when it comes to footy. And that’s why everyone keeps honking their horns.
Irrespective of world financial markets, Alan will be doing well to stop the flow of exuberance over here.
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Posted by Vietnam Swans on August 1, 2007
Mark Waugh was standing at second slip when New Zealand’s Adam Parore came to the crease. Parore played and missed the first ball.
Mark Waugh: Oh, I remember you from a couple of years ago in Australia. You were sh*t then and you’re fu*king useless now!
Adam Parore (turning around): Yeah, that’s me. And when I was there, you were going out with that old, ugly slut. And now I hear you’ve married her. You dumb c*nt.
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Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 30, 2007
During a test match in the West Indies, Merv Hughes didn’t say a word to Viv Richards, but continued to stare at him after deliveries.
Viv: This is my island; my culture. Don’t you be staring at me. In my culture, we just bowl.
Merv still didn’t reply.
But after he took Viv’s wicket, Big Merv glared at him and said: In my culture, we just say f*ck off.
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Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 30, 2007
In the spirit of great cricketing sledges, James Ormond has just come out to bat on an Ashes tour and is greeted by Mark Waugh…
Waugh: F*ck me. Look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here? There’s no way you’re good enough to play for England.
Ormond: Maybe not, but at least I’m the best player in my family.
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Posted by Vietnam Swans on June 5, 2007
As you will be aware, the Australian Socceroos will be playing at the 2007 Asian Soccer Cup in Bangkok on the same weekend as our Aussie Rules Champs. On Friday, 13 July, the Socceroos play Iraq at 5:20pm. On Monday 16 July, at 7:35pm, they play Thailand.
The Vietnam Swans haven’t organised a team booking to attend either match. If you would like to coordinate a team booking for those who haven’t already purchased tickets, email the Swans. Otherwise, tickets can be bought on line at the Asian Football Confederation’s website.
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Posted by Vietnam Swans on June 3, 2007
Down in Saigon yesterday, we had 12 people turn up for a training session which finished off with a scratch match. Magnificent to have a few numbers.
However, Vietnam continually throws out fresh challenges. Just as we’re getting some momentum in the lead up to the Champs, RMIT will lock down their ovals for 4 weeks for “rest and repair”. So we need another venue badly!
Further bad news is that Noam leaves Saigon tomorrow bound for India. He is a very recent recruit to Aussie Rules and starred for Hanoi (!) in the recent match against Saigon. But there is also some good news. On his way to India, he’ll cruise through Hanoi. When he’s there, he’ll slip straight into training with the Hanoi-based Swans on Thursday night.
Noam’s a very lucky man as he will be one of the very few from Saigon to have experienced the hallowed dirt of the world-famous, candle-lit, Dead Cat Stadium.
It’s great to have footy happening in both cities.
Posted in Asian Champs, Training, sport | Leave a Comment »
Immediately after the match, McCartney announced his retirement from AFL football.
