Vietnam Swans

Arguably, one of the greatest students of the game ever, Shannon “Shag” Leahy, provides some penetrating insight into last weekend’s 3rd Reds Vs Whites Classic in Saigon.

In what was possibly the hottest internal game at RMIT, the Swannies ventured out in the searing heat for the 3^rd Red’s v White’s Blockbuster. The mighty Whites were going in victorious from the past two matches, having just beaten the Reds in a waterlogged ripper two weeks ago, which even featured a snake in the middle of the ground!

There were some huge early omissions; the teachers led by Heater and the ‘all Asia beanstalk’ Nat were out, as was Nick “BB” Shiells. There was even a late withdrawal from Ross Ah!McRae who was reportedly at home in fetal position after hearing Matthew Boyd’s supercoach score that morning.

When the White’s lined up, there were murmurings in the Red’s forward line that something was going on. Champion ‘Red’ midfielders, Dukes and Qui were lining up in back pockets – the move was brilliant with both sweeping across the half back flank all game and limiting the White’s relentless forward pressure.  Kyle was in fine form, taking some solid chest marks and converting like a true forward as was Moggy up the other end who was leading and taking overhead marks like Riewoldt (when Riewoldt was good).

Going into half time, it was even stevens with 5 goals a piece. Despite the big name omissions, there were some big first gamers who came in for the Whites that shook the Red’s composure, especially in the second half. Nick, who demonstrated skill at taking one handed ‘speccys’ and Craig who had plenty of scoring shots and finally kicked that ripper goal he’d been chasing all day. Special mention to fellow Swannie and Canadian recruit, Harry who is absolutely lifting his game to another level in 2012 with some awesome hard bumps laid on the ‘Reds’ and second efforts that would put Buddy Franklin to shame.

In the second half the midfielders really took to the fore. Irish John was in great form and is surely the next Marty Clarke, whilst Dave O’Shea must have racked up 40 possessions with a supercoach score of 180 at least. Damo was also having a blinder for the Red’s and kicked a beauty on the run on the non-preferred side. Play of the day however goes to Nathan who in the third quarter busted through the centre bounce at a bursting pace of speed to deliver a 40m stab pass to the safe hands of Moggy who converted from an angle. This correspondent was too weary to remember the final goal but it was this third quarter play that no doubt won it for the ‘Reds’ – victorious by a goal at full time.

After the match, the Swannie’s slumped under the gazebo after the hottest knock out in scratch match history. For the first time ever, all the water was drunk dry by 3 quarter time and the Swannies were forced to replenish the fluids with cold tinnies of Tiger. The heroes of the game were too numerous to name but special final mention again to Dave ‘Dreamteam’ O’Shea who got the all important WAG’s vote for best on ground.