With less than 24hrs before the Hong Kong Dragons fly into Saigon using a more conventional scheduled commercial flight, Saigon is abuzz. What do the Asian Champs look like up close?
As well as playing footy this coming weekend, the Dragons will farewell long serving player, the Jackal.
More seasoned players at the Swans are privately saying that while there is no doubt that it will be the Night(s) of the Jackal, they are yet to be convinced it will be the Day of the Jackal come 2pm Saturday at RMIT when Tommy Sherrin is bounced.
One of the tough talkers is Taber, our hard hitting opinionated columnist on Monday mornings. Taber, a former Father of the Year, will make a long overdue return to international football this weekend. He hasn’t been seen in the international arena since May of last year when the Swans were smashed by the Tigers in Thailand and he bagan focusing on the Fatherly Gong.
Meanwhile, Coach Savvy Stacey will return to the ground as a player this weekend in his 129th come back game.
In other news, controversially, Vietnam will not play in the Swans jumpers. It will play in the Saigon Geckos strip. This is sure to stir up strong debate amongst the games conservatives. No doubt Taber on Monday, like on Saturday with the Umps, will have plenty to say.
With this much interest and controversy, we’re set for a cracking weekend.
Important times:
Friday night from 7pm, The Office (Cafe Latin) – Having just arrived from Hong Kong, the boys on the Jackal Tour will still be well on the way.
Saturday, 1.30pm, RMIT – Players arrive at RMIT for a 2pm start. 14 players on field. 4 x 15 minute quarters. All welcome.
Saturday, 5pm-ish – Pacharans – $20 food and drinks. All welcome.
3 from the Gold Coast – Geelong and Demons (a locked-in minor premier cum major choker and a “whatever”).
This morning, the Swans had a “near miss” (or is that a “near hit”?) We were looking good for a flying ace as our goal umpire – the very lovely Kathryn Biggles. For those of you who need your memories refreshed, Biggles was the flying ace in the novels written by Captain W. E. Johns (no relation).
I’m definitely a footy junkie and that means I actually enjoy most of the after match radio chat. When Everywhere Eddie McGuire was asked about the imminent tribunal appearance of “ROCCA!!” he followed up his initial comment, “I can’t comment on imminent tribunal appearances” with ”It was not even a strong enough blow to part the Swans player’s hair”. That’s some no comment! For what it’s worth, my verdict is he’ll get a week. And a costly week it could be with the Carringbush still in the hunt for a prized top four finish.
Still on Collingwood. Whilst he only had a moderate 14 possessions, the skipper’s return had an immediate impact making all his younger teammates ‘walk tall’. Bucks has had 50 weeks paid leave. That’s more than a school teacher! Whilst his possessions in his comeback match were below average the Swans were chasing black and white feathers right from the first bounce when Buckley swooped, delivered lace out to Thomas who goaled. After that The Swans never looked likely.
Footy’s a funny game as are the characters in it! Yesterday the diehard fans paid tribute to an ex-ballet dancer and a Richmond plumber with James Hird’s and Kevin Sheedy’s Goodbye Game. Excuse me but this has been longer than the record-breaking consecutive send-off parties for ex-Hanoi Swans President Dave Kainey. Seriously though, even though I generally hate all things Essendon, these two deserved this send-off in front of almost 90 000 spectators. Then there was The Real Man’s Man, Longest Playing Shinboner ever, Archie, Just Awesome. 
(Ed’s note: please note this further proof that the Club has never spammed anyone. People love all of it because they love footy which is why they honk their horns. Q.E.D.)