Vietnam Swans Coach and Saigon President of the Swans, Scott Stacey reports on the Anzac Match played on Wednesday 27 August. The Swans went on to win 84pts to 59pts in a match played in excellent spirit.

The Vietnam Swans have pulled off a stunning victory against the HMAS Anzac in pristine conditions at RMIT on Wednesday evening. Whilst the Anzac got off to a fast start with the first goal of the day around the 3 minute mark of the first quarter, the Swans quickly answered and it was game on. It was a very tight affair for the first two quarters with the sides trading goals throughout and no team really taking ascendancy. This was reflected by the half time scores being dead even at 40 points each. The Swans effort was a hard, well fought out affair and at times dazzled the opposition with some silky skills and strong marking. Nathan, Louis and Damo were getting plenty of it in the midfield and Muzza and Danny Monk were dazzling off the flanks. Jarrod Dean played strong in defence as did Derrin.

The Swans burst the game open in the third quarter as Nathan moved into second gear and was untouchable. Danny Monk was thrown into the guts and had it on a string but the guy who really burst the game open was Muzza up front. A stunning display from the Swans veteran was probably rated his best for the club as he bagged them from everywhere and set up a few more to boot. Ably supported up forward by the youngster Cam and Jarrod moved up forward to also have an influence.

The Swans were alive and everyone stepped up with no exception. Derrin was a stalwart in the backlines, Shags and Nick were in everything, Drew was the focal point running out of defence, Dan Kindness held the fort well at the back and the big guys Izaac and Boz also had plenty of it. Joe took a strong mark and was busy in the packs as was Larry who ran strong as well. The Swans ran out winners by 25 points in a fantastic all round effort. Well done boys!

BUT the highlight play of the day was one that will go down as folklore for both the Swans and the Anzac. Late in the final quarter the Anzac tried to mix up their team in a bid for a late comeback and made the surprising move of throwing one of their (very attractive) female sailors into the forward lines. This girl had a clean pair of hands and scooped up the ball deep in the pocket, pirouetted gracefully and lined up for a certain goal when BANG she was hit hard with a huge bear hug tackle and thrown to the ground by none other than the National Prez himself, Phil Johns (Eds Note: he certainly did lay a bear hug. He kept holding her waiting for the ump to blow his whistle for “Ball!”. But, with the ump having lost his whistle, the saucy sailor, from the vertical position, had a snap. Thankfully, no goal!). Onya Phil, now we know why the last 2 weeks have been all good for the Silver Fox!

I take this opportunity to once again thank Brent and his Anzac team. Also, playing for the Vietnam Swans, Dan Kindness, the Defence Attache from Hanoi who played such a major role in making the game happen.

It was a sensational day because it was a good fun, hard game of footy played in the best of spirits. HUGE DAY.

Photos to follow.

Well we are down to the business end of the season – one more tipping round and plenty of cash still to be won. You could throw a blanket across the top 10. All of them have a realistic chance at the money. So study hard and consider very carefully each selection. 

Can the Pies win at Suby? Will the shinboners do it for Shagga? Will the cats play their cheer squad against the Weagles? Will the Porpus pop his shoulder for the 5 time this season in the city of churches? Will Fev hug Buddy when he kicks a ton? Will Fev and Buddy party at 161 or Boutique after the match? Will anyone watch the game in Sydney? Will the Richo get best on ground and win the Brownlow? And will the Queen night Sir Robert Harvey? Its the last round of home and away – lets hope it is a cracker.

After the Asian Football Champs next weekend we will throw something together for the announcement of the winners of the tipping. There are a few blokes who still havent paid – so we will come a knocking – its only fair. Thanks for a great year – remember football in Vietnam is the real winner.

Yesterday, in a twilight match played in perfect conditions and spirit, the Vietnam Swans managed to pull of a victory against the HMAS ANZAC in front of more than 200 people.

The scores were 84 to 59.

An amazing twilight match and an awesome evening.

More to follow. 

Last night, a number of Swans were given a private tour of the HMAS ANZAC. The 3 hour tour of the ANZAC was led by their Coach for today, Brent Irving.

We found out that the average playing age of their team is 22 years. Ouch! That’s young. But then they reassured us that “We’re not very fit. Where can we go running on this ship??”.

We’re hearin’ their logic. But given they are able to squeeze their work, social life and sleeping area into the same space – oh yeah, they also need to find somewhere to put their guns n stuff – it wouldn’t surprise us if they had found a spare spot to put a 400m running track. Perhaps under the Seahawk helicopter.

One piece of news that does warm our cochles is that yesterday, the boys had a kick of the footy on the wharf. It wasn’t long before it was “footy overboard”. With all their fancy equipment and highly trained personnel, they were not able to rescue their footy from the Saigon River!

Hopefully they won’t be able to rescue today’s footy match at RMIT. 

It was a fantastic tour for the Vietnam Swans. The hospitality extended by Brent and the crew was much appreciated.

We also saw the new souvenir shirts that will be sold today. Very impressive.

At the end of the day today, it will all be very good. Footy, Al Frescos catering, Fosters Lager, Jim Beam and wines by Van Phat will all be available for purchase. After that, we will roll on to the No. 5 Bar, home of the Official Vietnam Swans 2008 AFL Grand Final Party.

HMAS ANZAC will dock this morning at 10am in Saigon

HMAS ANZAC Coach, Brent Irving, has described this coming Wednesday’s match as a “momentous occasion for for an Australian warship to be offered the chance to play AFL in Vietnam”.

Brent adds that the “ship will purchase one of your jumpers as well to be framed and put in the junior sailors’ dining hall.

“I will get a photo of your team on the day to be mounted with the jumper so that the history of the game will last forever.”

HMAS ANZAC will dock this morning at 10am. Players and friends of the Vietnam Swans have been invited to tour the ship tomorrow evening.

It’s always great fun playing and socialising with other teams in Vietnam. The HMAS ANZAC tour is shaping up to be an absolute cracker.

The Vietnam Swans will play HMAS Anzac at RMIT University, Saigon on Wednesday 27 August. The ball – supplied by the Sydney Swans – will be bounced at 5pm sharp.

Please note: For information on the Vietnam Swans 2009 venues for the AFL Grand Final parties in HCMC / Saigon, Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An, click here.

Were you around in the days of the Romans?

The Romans?? Struth! No. 5, I’m alive in the day of the Saigonese trying to find the venue of the Official Vietnam Swans 2008 AFL Grand Final Party!

Do not be alarmed, citizens! Saigon’s inaugural Vietnam Swans AFL Grand Final Party will be held at the No. 5 Bar, 43 Mac Dinh Chi Street, District 3, Saigon on 27 September 2008. It will go from 9am – 4pm.

For just $30, you will receive breakfast, lunch, Foster’s Beer, Jim Beam, raffles, auctions, give-aways and of course, a live telecast of the AFL Grand Final from Melbourne’s colosseum, the MCG.

Leave your Bag of Fruit (suit) behind and dress up in your favourite sporting club’s colours. The Vietnam Swans will dress to impress by wearing their Vietnam Swans footy jumpers.

More details to follow including information re ticket sales. If you can’t wait that long, email

Hanoi: The Official Vietnam Swans 2008 AFL Grand Final Party will again be held at Jaspas Bar & Restaurant on the 4th Floor of Hanoi Towers, 49 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hanoi. Price: $30.

From Saigon to Hanoi, it’s all good at Grand Final time with the Vietnam Swans.