Tracey Johnson has just uploaded some fantastic photos of yesterday’s Vietnam Swans’ Grand Final Party in Hanoi at the intercontinental Hotel.

To view the photos from a sensational day out where the Sydney Swans triumphed against the gallant Hawks, click onto the .

Much more to follow.

Ross McRae has just uploaded some fantastic photos of the Vietnam Swans’ Grand Final Party in Saigon at the Boomarang Bistro, D7, yesterday. To see if you’re in any of his 165 shots, click onto the .

Also, a lot of Swannies who no no longer live in Vietnam have been sending in their photos of where they were yesterday. They’ve been in Taipei, the Philippines and Melbourne, including the MCG. There’s even a photo of Carlton footballer, Michael Jamison at the MCG wearing his Swannies’ training singlet and hat. Click onto the link here for which includes Grand Final Day.

If you have a photo from yesterday where you were wearing some Swannies merchandise, email it through to for your chance to win a club shirt and the title of “Swannie of September”.

Much more to come including photos of Grand Final Party in Hanoi.

Yesterday at the Swannies’ 2012 AFL Grand Final parties in Hanoi and Saigon, we played a video montage of the Swannies’ previous 12 months. The montage was put together by Mark Stennett from and .

Seriously, yet more evidence of awesomeness. To view the video on You Tube, click below.

Much more to follow of the Swannies’ GF Parties in Hanoi and Saigon to appear on this website very soon.

The Grand Final Parade has been held in Melbourne. We’re now in the home straight for tomorrow’s big one. Full details of teh Vietnam Swans’ AFL Grand Final Parties can be found below:

• Hanoi, Intercontinental Hotel, 1A Nghi Tam, West Lake – click here for full details. .
• Saigon, Boomarang Bistro, 107 Ton Dat Tien, The Crescent 2 Phu My Hung, D7 – click here for full details. .

“At least DO SOMETHING! DO! Don’t think, don’t hope, do! At least you can come off and say ‘I did this, I shepherded, I played on. At least I did something.'” John Kennedy Snr, 1975 Grand Final.

Tickets are still available for the Swannies’ Grand Final Parties so, don’t think and just get down there for some serious, unadulterated awesomeness!

Swannie Rick Trewavas i s visiting Melbourne from Queensland for the Grand Final. Today, he went to the Grand Final Parade. He writes:

“Prior to lunch  as I was viewing the parade I noted a gentleman in front of me wearing a Vietnam Swannies cap! We chatted and his son Lance, who is a teacher in Canberra had met the Swannies. He was well aware of the swimming program and the community work done by the Swans. And they were all Sth Melbourne supporters willing the Hawks to defeat!

“Honk in a small world.”

Go Hawks!

Revisiting the memories of the Swannies’ 2007 Grand Final Party in Hanoi

Di and Neil, who are from Victoria, were holidaying in Vietnam back in 2007 and went to our Grand Final Party in Hanoi. Yesterday Di wrote to the Swannies:

“Thank you for keeping us on the mailing list.

“One of the highlights of our trip to Vietnam in 2007 was joining you all for the live telecast of the Grand Final in Hanoi. In context, our first trip to Vietnam was so amazing before we even got to Hanoi and Grand Final Day.  I guess it just added to the memories of a fantastic trip around a beautiful country. It doesn’t feel like 5 years ago.

“Have a great time on Saturday, we are hosting a GF Party on Raymond Island, Victoria and will raise a toast to you all.

“Go Swans!”

Di and Neil, from Hanoi and Saigon, the Swannies will raise a toast for you as well!

Go Hawks!

Last night, Michael Jamison, Shaun Hampson and Jeremy Laidler from the Carlton Football Club came along as special guests to the Swannies’ 2012 AFL Grand Final Panel at the Spotted Cow in Saigon.

Shannon “Shag” Leahy was the MC and did a terrific job of testing everyone’s knowledge of Swannies’ history before turning his attention to the the big game tomorrow and gave the panel a grilling. The panel comprised Jamison, Hampson, Laidler, Shiells, Payne – and Gus.

Afterwards, the Carlton players were each presented with a Swannies’ training top and a Swannies’ trophy that said, Vietnam Swans welcome Jeremy/Michael/Shaun. Honk if you love the footy in Vietnam. Honk! Hanoi & Saigon, September, 2012.”

Next Phil Jordan from unveiled the new Swannies’ scooter which has been decked out in Swannies colours. The scooter will be auctioned in Saigon tomorrow with all proceeds to be donated to .

And, a special thank you to Pat from the Saigon Scooter Centre for doing such a great job on the bike.

Finally, Ah McRae, you’ve done it again presented the Carlton guys with another McRae special; a poster of the three lads with a Vietnam background.

Where to next after the Cow? Where else?  Apocalypse.

To see more photos of the big night, .

He was the then Hanoi Swans’ President in 2005/2006.  He held aloft the spoils of our first international victory in 2006! He’s hard-hitting, opinionated and as controversial as ever. He’s our very own Daryl “Smooth” “DT” Taber and each year, since 2007, he’s delivered Taber Talk during the AFL Finals Series. This morning, Taber returns with Taber Talk – the 2012 Grand Final Edition.

Taber is B.I.T. (back in town) with two correct tips last weekend. Here’s a flashback to some of his offerings last weekend:

 “Clarko… should be concerned about the Hawks’ defence… Schoenmakers?”

”…more silk from Rioli and Burgoyne…” re match winning performances in time-on final quarter.

“…Crows to improve their strike rate in front of goal?”

Read on for, arguably, the most important sporting column written this season: Taber Talk – the 2012 AFL Grand Final Edition.

Grand Game of Offence V Defence

The Swans and Hawks will meet in their first ever grand final! These teams represent the best attacking team versus the best defensive outfit. It’s hard to separate the best two teams throughout 2012 and it seems like we are in for a classic encounter.

Recent history at the MCG favours the Hawks. Hawthorn has won 12 of its 15 games on the hallowed turf this season, its past 11 against non-Victorian teams at the ground, and its past four there against the Swans. The Swans have lost 11 of their past 13 games at the MCG and have played there only once this season. Hawthorn has ten players with grand final experience on the MCG while Sydney has seven.

If we choose to focus on last week’s form of both teams the Swans look better. They were very impressive in their strong victory over Collingwood in the preliminary final breaking an 11-game hoodoo against the Pies. Their thirty-one scoring shots to twenty suggests it was a convincing win. The Swans are not the most attacking, skilful or fluent team you’ll watch but they specialize in doing the team things and nullifying their opponents.

The Swans thrashed Collingwood in the contested possession count last week and laid more tackles.  This preparation is perfect for a grand final and the Swans have recently made a habit of making a flying start. The beginnings of grand finals are pressure-packed and the Hawks would love for Rioli, Burgoyne and Buddy to get going earlier this week to release some of it. Last time these two teams met the Hawks recovered from a slow start to reel the Swans in. Sydney would love a similar start to gain momentum and unsettle the favoured Hawks. The extra days rest this week should benefit the Swans.

For the Hawks too, scoring shots and inside 50’s showed they were the better team last week, but they may pay the ultimate price if they are as wayward at goal this week. Franklin, Rioli and Breust were the main culprits but at least Rioli got most of it right in the end. Words from Brad Sewell expressed Hawthorn’s relief post-siren, ‘Thank God for Cyril.’ The Crows were persistent and gave the Hawks a major fright. The winner of the 2012 Grand Final could simply be the team that makes the most of its opportunities.

Hawthorn wins if we go on talent and X-Factor.  Last week Burgoyne bravely decided to throw himself into the centre bounces deep in to time-on before clearing deep for Rioli to mark and goal.  Buddy did enough to cause more stress for the Swans tacticians and Hodge returns from illness this to his role as Cool ‘Hands’ Luke.  Goodes and Jetta need to produce plenty if the Swans are to win. Lewis Roberts-Thomson (LRT) could easily be used as the swingman between forward and back where he can be equally effective.

Some coaches have a defensive outlook as a first priority. If you’re a believer the best defence will win, you’ll tip the Swans. All 22 are very well drilled in the defensive aspects of their respective roles. They nullify, tackle and smother their opposition better than any other team and usually dig out a low score to win. Will the Swans be ready to prevent Hawthorn’s regular tactic of handballing off to a left-footer who kicks a goal from outside 50m?

How often do we hear this game will be won in the midfield. Brownlow medal votes may indicate why. The 6 All-Australian defenders at the Brownlow this week scored an average 1.3 votes. The 8 All-Australian midfielders scored an average of 21.5 votes! The last forward to win a Brownlow was ‘Plugger’ Lockett in 1987? The tussle between All Australian full back Ted Richards and All-Australian full forward Lance Franklin is another battle that could decide the winner of this match. To quote Bruce McAvaney, “Delicious”!

Hawthorn has the best playmakers in the midfield. In Round 22 the difference between the Swans at home against the Hawks came down to two vital late clearances that resulted in Hawthorn goals. It was very similar to Hawthorn’s victory last week. The Hawks willed themselves to win. The match-ups are anyone’s guess but Kieran Jack has good form tagging Mitchell. Mitchell’s two lowest-possession games this season were against the Swans. Maybe Sewell will get Kennedy but I expect both will get plenty of the ball.

Lewis, Hodge and Sewell will take on the much underrated Hanneberry, Jack and Bolton. The Hawks may look better at ground level but Mumford is the better ruckman. The Hawks rely on Roughead to have spells in the ruck but it reduces their forward line marking power. In rounds 15 to 21, ‘Rough’ kicked only one goal. Are the Hawks asking too much of him?

So who has the most potent forward line? With Buddy and Cyril well supported by Gunston and Breust you would say Hawthorn. However, we can expect Mumford to do some of his ‘resting’ up forward to keep the pressure on ‘Shaky Schoey’ and his short statured teammates. I think the psychologist attending to Schoenmakers has been the busiest at Hawthorn this week. If Goodes and LRT get going up forward, supported by Jetta darting around, the same wounds for Hawthorn could open up. Mitch Morton showed in Adelaide he is a strong mark and kick and could be another forward that gets under the Hawks’ guard.

Will the attacking strengths of the Hawks be sufficiently nullified by the defensive strategies of the Swans? I’ve heard a lot of theories this week and studied a lot of statistics. Lethal Leigh Matthews keeps it simple. He says it’s a whole new week so forget what’s happened in the past. So even though the Hawks got most ticks above my gut feeling is the Swans, being in better form and without the pressure of being favourites, will win an absolute cracker of a game!

And just in case that’s not enough !

Goal umpire Chelsea Roffey makes history in the AFL as the first female umpire in a grand final.

Josh Kennedy will play for the Swans on Saturday. Originally drafted to Hawthorn, Josh Kennedy is the grandson of John Kennedy Senior and son of John Kennedy Junior, both Hawthorn greats.

Stuart Dew played a match-turning 20 minutes to help the Hawks win their last premiership. This week he is part of the Swans football department.

Lewis Jetta has come a long way since his early AFL games.  Jetta kicked 19 points in the AFL before his first goal. He is in great form at the moment but can he maintain it under the relentless ‘attention’ and pressure of Hawthorn in a grand final?

Now, over to the Polldaddy:

The Australia Network is the Official Media Partner for the Vietnam Swans’ 2012 AFL Grand Final Parties in both Hanoi and Saigon.

As part of this Official Media Partnership, the Australia Network has produced a special Swannies’ 22 second promotional video for the 2012 AFL Grand Final. Click on the You Tube link above to view.

Reminder: Tomorrow, 27 September, in Saigon, the Swannies welcome three Carlton players to our 2012 AFL Grand Final Footy Panel. Be there with your Swannies’ Grand Final ticket and get your first beer for free!

Saigon President Nicko Shiells announces details of the Swannies’ AFL Grand Final Preview tomorrow night at the Spotted Cow, D1, Saigon.

Special guests will include three Carlton players: Michael Jamison, Shaun Hampson and Jeremy Laidler.

G’day Swannies,

Trying to stay calm in the lead up to the 2012 AFL Grand Final can be very difficult, and confusing, when you’re a Swan who loves the Hawks.

Anyway here is an update on all MSFs (Mega Swannies’ Functions) from now until the GF.

Grand Final Preview – Footy Panel. Spotted Cow, 111 Bui Vien Street, D1 @ 6pm, Thursday, 27 September).

In the lead up to the Grand Final on Saturday, we have arranged for an MSF to take place at the Spotted Cow tomorrow night.

Make sure you get down there with your Grand Final ticket to get your first beer for FREE.  If you haven’t bought your ticket yet, they will be available at the Cow. And bring a friend – especially if your friend does not already have a ticket!!!

Also we have arranged a Footy Panel led by Swannies’ Super MC, Shagger, to discuss all the big issues of the week. There will be:

• a Know Your Swannies History Comp (with penalty tequila shots!)
• an in-depth review of the Grand Final edition of Taber Talk that will appear on this website tomorrow morning
• Grand Final Team Previews and analysis (Mighty Hawks V Swans); and
• Special guests from the Carlton Football Club: Michael Jamison, Shaun Hampson and Jeremy Laidler

And then there will be the unveiling of the all new Vietnam Swans’ motorbike which has just been freshly repainted in Swannies’ colours!! The paint job includes logos of the Swannies, Swim Vietnam and

Golf Life Tours (co founded by Swannie, Phil Jordan) has donated the bike which will be auctioned at Saturday’s Grand Final Party at the Boomarang. All proceeds from this auction will be donated to to support critical swimming programs. In Vietnam, more children die from drowning than road accidents.

So, get to the Cow from 6pm for a free beer (if you have a Swannies’ GF ticket). The Panel will kick off at 7pm.

Footnote: , a major sponsor of the Vietnam Swans, has been assisting the Carlton players with their travels through Vietnam. More photos of Jeremy, Shaun and Michael in Hanoi can be seen on Wide Eyed Tours’ .

Important people always bump into each other at busy airports.

Monday was no exception at Phnom Penh International Airport when two big names for the Swannies happened to be randomly passing through.

Dave “Flyer” Kainey was about to board a flight back to Singapore. Judd, arguably one of the biggest names in football, was just arriving from Saigon.

Now, that’s not completely extraordinary. Swannies are bumping into each other all the time, all around the world, including tram stops in Swanston Street, Melbourne.

However, this time the two Swannies in question, just happened to be wearing the current colour range of our Club’s latest shirts – the black and the white.

And that makes Judd and the Flyer candidates to win the highly coveted 2012 Swannie of September competition! Get your entries in now!

“Swannie of September” Competition – win a shirt!

To win the Swannie of September title – and a Swannies shirt – send in your photos with a Swannies’ connection to the . Competition closes on 30 September.

AFL Grand Final week isn’t so different to election week. It’s all about the babies.

And so, today the Swannies website congratulates previous players, Ryan Jeffery and Peter Grave who both became very proud fathers last month.

Ryan, who still organises the Swannies’ Melbourne Golf Day on 29 December each year (the tournament that is now known as the Vietnam Swans’ Annual Ryan Jeffery Golf Classic) reports that Hayden was born on his 40th birthday, 6th of August. Ryan adds,

“Perhaps our little fella might represent the Swannies one day too – if the Hawks don’t nab him first. As shown in the pic above, he’s fast on the lead and takes the ball, laces out, hands out in front.” Clearly, this is evidence of Hawksomeness.

Meanwhile, Jasmine Mali Thongpak Grave was born immediately prior to last month’s Asian Champs. Peter requested us to “Tell the team they have the littlest supporter cheering ‘em on… actually, she’s just sleeping, but is awesome.”

Yet more evidence of awesomeness.

Congratulations to Ryan, Peter, your respective wives and, as always, Go you little Swannies!!

To see photos of more items that will be up for auction at next weekend’s Swannies’ AFL Grand Final Parties in Hanoi and Saigon, click onto our .

Hanoi – Items for auction

• Fully signed 2012 Richmond jumper
• Fully signed 2010 Hawthorn jumper
• Carlton jumper signed by Rattan, Judd etc.
• GWS cap signed by Sheedy and Falou; second unsigned GWS cap
• Two  unsigned Essendon member’s caps
• NSW Swifts Netball polo shirt
• Boston Gaelic Jumper
• Dura-celts jumper
• 2005 (Premiership Year) Sydney Swans jumper signed by team (proceeds to charity.)

For further information on these items, please email Hanoi President, .

Saigon – Items for auction

• 1996 Brisbane Bears jumper signed by team (that went on to win three premierships as the Brisbane Lions. Includes, Voss, Lynch, Akermanis etc) Donated by Chris O’Dempsey.
• 2011 Sydney Swans jumper signed by the team. Donated by Heath Ellis.
• One Fremantle jumper. Signed and donated by Gerard Neesham (and Jo Prince). (Funds raised will be donated to Swim Vietnam)
• Carlton “Team of the Century” jumper signed specifically for the Swannies by Official AFL Legend, Alex Jesaulenko. Donated by Lagler Australia.
• North Melbourne jumper signed specifically by Official AFL Legend, Barry Cable.
• GWS jumper signed by Kevin Sheedy. Donated by Ken Earney
• “150 years of Football” mural signed by Kevin Sheedy. Donated by Ken Earney
• One motorbike dressed in Vietnam Swans’ colours with Swim Vietnam logo. Donated by (All Proceeds to Swim Vietnam)
• Fiji Rugby jumper. Donated by Ross Munn.
• Manchester United jumper signed by legends, and Gordon McQueen. Donated by Wayne Rideout. (Watch on You Tube.)
• Heart Reach Australia hat signed by motor ace, Peter Brock. Donated by Chris O’Dempsey.

For further information on these items, please email National President, .

*** To see photos of the above listed items, . ***