AFL Asia - Asian Footy's umbrella organisation.
NATIONAL SPONSORS 2014
SIGNATURE SPONSOR PLATINUM SPONSORSGOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS PARTNERS
SISTER FOOTY CLUBS
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.
Posted in sport, Unheard of | Leave a Comment »
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.
Posted in sport | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 29, 2007
The Bali Geckos have just announced details for the 6th Annual Bank Commonwealth Bali 9’s Australian Football Championships which will be held in Bali on 13 October 2007.
This Championship has modified rules and a unique format where there are just 9 players per team and 6 substitutes who play on – a soccer pitch. The games have 2 x 12 minute halves which, according to the organisers, leads to “a faster more action packed game – fun for spectators and players alike”.
The Geckos go on to say that, “the event provides a great opportunity to enjoy footy in Bali – a great attraction for end-of-season club trips or to travel with a bunch of mates to create a team. Entry is now open for teams. With the big interest being shown in this year’s event, it is most likely entry will be on a first in first served basis – so get your entry in today.
“The event will once again be part of commemorative activities honouring the memory of those lost in the Bali bombings and a percentage of money raised on the day will be donated to a local charity that supports those affected by the Bali bombing. The event will also act as part of Bali’s tourist recovery – helping to bring Bali back to its well deserved recognition as Asia’s premier holiday and recreation destination in Asia.”
Jason McCartney and the Bali Bombings
The tournament has a great and growing reputation. At the 2003 tournament, the Bali 9’s received significant attention when ex AFLer Jason McCartney pulled on the Geckos jumper – as did Australian Prime Minister, John Howard.
The two were in Bali for the first anniversary of the Bali bombings which happened on 12 October 2002. McCartney and his Kangaroos’ team mate, Micky Martyn were drinking at the Sari night club when the bomb exploded. McCartney suffered burns to 50 per cent of his body. Initially, his burns had been considered to be relatively quite minor. However, by the time McCartney arrived back in Australia, his condition had seriously deteriorated and he “almost died under the knife”.
Nine months later, in June 2003, McCartney made an amazing return to AFL football in the match between the Kangaroos and the Tigers. He was heavily bandaged, wore a long sleeved jumper and special gloves. He kicked a goal and then did a goal assist in the dying seconds of the match when the Kangaroos were trailing by less than a goal.
Immediately after the match, McCartney announced his retirement from AFL football.
“The sheer courage of McCartney’s return (makes) it one of the most inspirational sports-related stories” says the (click for more details).”
At this stage, it is unlikely that the Vietnam Swans will be able to field a team at the 2007 Bali 9’s Tournament but we will be very keen observers from a distance.
For further information on the tournament, try
Posted in Aussie Rules, sport | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 29, 2007
World Footy News has run a story with the full scores and a round up of the 2007 Asian Champs. It’s been taken from the Organising Commitee’s email which was posted in the previous story on the Swans’ Blog but has additional photos.
Click on the to see for yourself.
Posted in Asian Champs, Aussie Rules | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 27, 2007
The Organising Commitee of the Asian Champs over there in Thailand – who incidentally did an absolutely outstanding job – have forwarded the following round up of the Champs -
The 8th Annual Asian Championships of Australian Football, held on the 14th of July in front of hundreds of spectators at Bangkok Patana School, have been hailed a great success by all involved and once again raised the bar on the standard of footy played in Asia. The official word after a weekend of footy and talk is that The Asian Champs is now BIG and just keeps getting better year after year.
As promised, the tournament produced 21 games of high quality footy and remarkably evenly matched teams with the Hong Kong Dragons the eventual Asian Champions, downing the Bali Geckos in extra time, 6.7 (43) to 5.4 (34) in a nail-biting Grand Final – Read on for Grand Final and Ladder results.
The President of the Hong Kong Dragons, Nathan Byrne, says that the Dragons commenced preparations in April and they knew that, “…the draw was quite important to us and knowing we were taking on Singapore first, we knew we had a good chance to build some momentum…. Singapore were strong but depleted.” The Dragons route to the Grand Final also saw the Malaysian Warriors “…put up a fierce battle and be hard at it”, while the Japan Goannas are a “…fast running and unpredictable side”. The UAE Heat match was “… in short, a hard fought victory and one of the best achievements of the club given what we were up against. They are a great side and we look forward to future battles.” remarked Byrne. Then in the Grand Final, “…Bali were their all time best again. Hard to the ball, body on body and young and quick. Somehow we came out on top but it could have gone either way. They are a great bunch of fellas and it was great to play them, but we really did feel for them and know they will be the same force in 2008.”
The last round games for four of the clubs were effectively semi-finals, with each of these four teams on 3 wins already and the winners of these games topping their group. Results were Bali 5.9 (39) def. Jakarta 4.3 (27), whilst Hong Kong 4.6 (30) def. UAE 3.3 (21).
The 2007 Championships were not only notable for the close competition, but for the high standard of skill displayed and the great spirit in which all teams played. The standard of footy has been raised with each ensuing year since the inception of the Championships, but 2007 saw an extra level reached. The UAE Heat, as first-timers to the Asian Champs, showed themselves to be a very good football side. The China Reds were an imposing presence with ex-AFL players Greg Stafford and Mark Chaffy in their line-up. The Vietnam Swans, also first-timers, led at half-time in nearly all their matches.
A huge thankyou must go to the Thailand Tigers and everyone involved for staging a stunning and hugely successful tournament. A healthy crowd was present all day, they enjoyed first-class catering provided by DownUnder Sports Bistro and legends of the Melbourne rock ‘n roll scene, The Fauves, played for the crowd after the presentations. Andrew Mannering, President of the Malaysian Warriors, congratulated the Tigers and said, “..Hats off to all involved in the organization, you have raised the bar yet again for the continued growth our great Australian game in the region.…”
The Tigers arranged for two senior grade SANFL field umpires to officiate throughout the day.
Interested overseas spectators at the event included Brian Dixon, an esteemed promotor of Aussie Rules internationally, 252-game 5-premiership great for the Melbourne Football Club between 1954 and 1968 and former Victorian politician; Neil King from Masters Australian Football; and John Hyde, Western Australian politician.
International media interest included ‘ESPN Sportscenter’, and ‘Al Jazeera English TV’. While local media interest came from ‘Bangkok Post’, ‘The Long and the Short of It’, and ‘Siam Sports’. There is now a significant web presence of the Asian Champs and Asian footy in general, led admirably by the Vietnam Swans at http://vietnamswans.com
See below for all the DownUnder Sports Bistro Asian Australian Football Championships 2007 Facts.
Official Sponsors: DownUnder Sports Bistro (naming sponsor and caterer), Raimon Land, Be Specific, Air Madagascar, Bangkok Barbeque Store, Brunsworth Ltd., Crown Relocations, Curve Interiors.
Supporters: Coca-Cola, Masters Australian Football, PAS409 Engineering.
The 9 overseas teams for coming, especially first-time participants, UAE Heat and Vietnam Swans.
Australian Ambassador, HE Bill Paterson.
The Fauves – Coxy (lead singer and guitar), Ted (bass), Doctor (guitar and keyboard), Doug (drums). All The Fauves were knighted after the gig by Benny ‘Mango’ Will of the Tigers for playing a great show including their stand-out hit ‘Hot Sexy Bangkok Nights’ and a great cover of The Angels’ ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?’. Earlier in the day, Ted couldn’t believe it when he saw the stage, pronouncing the set-up as “Woodstock….in Bangkok”.
Peter Habel from Malaysian Warriors (scoreboard).
Bangkok Hospital (ambulance and first aid).
Sila Carson, Barbara McHerron, Kate Bolam (sports massage).
All the Marshalls, Jaa and Daa, Liv Thwaites and netballers.
Posted in Asian Champs, Scoreboard | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 27, 2007
Posted in Asian Champs | 1 Comment »
Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 25, 2007
A “Priceless!” clipping from the West Australian on Saturday 21 July, 2007:
Posted in AFL, Unheard of | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 25, 2007
Wednesday, 8.32am, Vietnam Standard Time – In breaking news, it has just been announced that Essendon’s Coach of 27 years has been sacked.
The Vietnam Swans hierarchy has held an emergency meeting to discuss the coaching position and the future of Scotty Stacey, sometimes referred to as the Little Guy.
In a prepared statement, the Swans board said that having taken the Swans to their first ever appearance at the Asian Champs, Scotty could decide his own future.
It seems like there’s nothing but harmony down there at Dead Cat (Hanoi) and RMIT (Saigon).
Posted in AFL, Aussie Rules, Unheard of | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 25, 2007
The Official Ladder has come out today for the 2007 Asian Champs – and despite not going on with the job after leading 3 of our 4 matches at half time, the Vietnam Swans avoided relegation by finishing in 9th position.
The Malaysian Warriors were also win-less in their campaign.
The Thailand Tigers and Japan Goannas finished with a win each.
The Singapore Wombats who had won the previous two Champs could only muster two wins as was the case with the China Reds.
The Jakarta Bintangs and UAE Heat had 3 wins each.
At the business end of the ladder, the Bali Geckos put away 4 consecutive wins before losing to Hong Kong (5 consecutive wins) in the nail biter of a Grand Final.
For all the details, please click on the link to .
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 24, 2007
Until now, we have had to rely on our memories as to what really happened on the 14th July at the Champs – as well as taking Boz’s unofficial results at face value which were posted on the blog just yesterday.
Well tonight, the Swans Blog is pleased to reveal the Official Results. (Boz’s unofficial results are written in brackets.)
1. Vietnam Swans Vs China Reds 0.3 (3) – 4.2 (26) (Boz: 3-27pts. Wrong!)
2. Vietnam Swans Vs Jakarta Bintangs 4.1 (25) – 6.7 (43) (Boz: 28-45pts. Wrong!)
3. Vietnam Swans Vs Bali Geckos 3.1 (19) – 3.12 (30) (Boz: 19-29pts. Wrong!)
4. Vietnam Swans Vs Thailand Tigers 2.3 (16) – 4.3 (27) (Boz: 15-28pts. Wrong!)
To see the results for every match at the Champs, please click on the link to
Notwithstanding the fact that none of the rest of us had any idea about the actual scores, the fact remains that Boz correctly picked zip from 4.
The Trip’s Fine Master, Pago, is rumoured to have been in a state of disbelief when he learnt of the Boz Master’s performance. But quick to bounce back, Pago is relishing the prospect of issuing Boz with just one more fine. Boz would be a wise man to be nervous.
In the immortal words of Bill Lawry, “Why wouldn’t you be nervous?”
We’re hearin ya, Bill.
Posted in Asian Champs, Aussie Rules | 1 Comment »
Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 24, 2007
Yesterday’s Timeout magazine, distributed with the weekly Vietnam Investment Review, featured a wrap up of the Vietnam Swans’ inaugural assault on the Asian Champs on 14 July.
Click on the link, , for a pdf version of the article below, or click on the picture itself for a jpeg version.
Posted in Asian Champs, Aussie Rules | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Vietnam Swans on July 24, 2007
On 13 July, the Swans blog was in orbit having passed through 3,000 hits.
16 days later (yesterday), the Swans have passed through 5,000 hits and might be in space for the long term! Our biggest single day came the day before the Asian Champs when we had 234 hits.
The number of countries that have logged on has increased from 36 countries to 48 countries. Vietnam’s share of the total traffic has dropped from 52.4 per cent to 46.5 per cent. The level of interest in Australia has increased from 25.6 per cent to 30.2 per cent. The US has dropped from 7.7 to 6.5 per cent. For all the details regarding the countries and percentage share of the hits, click on the attached (right).
To see a graph of the daily number of hits in the past 30 days, click on the attached graph to the left.
Posted in Unheard of | Leave a Comment »