Powerhouse and reigning Asian Champions, the Hong Kong Dragons took on the Thailand Tigers the other week in Pattaya.

The Tigers actually inflicted the first loss on the Dragons in over a year. They went on to win 8.7.55 to Hong Kong’s 6.6.42.

The match was even written up in the (click on the link for the full story).

Meanwhile, Singapore and Malaysia will play each other on 23 August in KL for Round 2 of the 3 round Changi Cup. Apparently that competition has been going on since 1997. See for further details.

The warm ups for the Asian Champs have well and truly started!

The Rooster’s in the news again. His beloved Finland will enter the International Cup in Australia for the first time ever in 2008 0- but collecting Finnish recruits has been a tough task.

However, with the bloodhound, Rooster, on the job, all would be good. 

According to the World Footy news report, “Julian ‘The Big Rooster” Clark, Finland Footy’s Founding Father, recently journeyed out to the British International School in Jakarta, Indonesia, where 16 year old Finn Tuomas ’Timebomb’ Antilla has been developing well with the Jakarta Bulldogs AFC.”

For the full story, click on the link.

Goal sneak and President of the Vietnam Swans Saigon City Committee, Super Savvy Scotty Stacey reviews last weekend’s block buster betwen the Lao Elephants and Vietnam Swans. 

It was clear from the start of the weekend that the Elephants were extremely wary of the mighty Swans fearful reputation and they embarked on a pre-game strategy of sabotage and mind games. Whilst all were impressed with the length of their efforts and power with the sabotage to Shannon’s passport and the subsequent blocking of his departure by Vietnam’s Immigration, the worn old chestnut of having the taxi’s drop the Swans off at the wrong place then speeding off only then to throw the boys in the back of Ute’s and rattle them down a bumpy dirt road at flat out speed may have back-fired on the Laos Lads.

By the time the mighty Swans, topped up with Matt and Tom the backpackers and Roger and Paul the new Laos Swans, they were fired up and ready for a serious Elephant Hunt.

The ball was bounced (well thrown up) for the first time of the day, a dominant tap, some slick short handballs in the guts and bang, within the first minute Sammy had slammed through the first of many (for him and the Swannies) and a deathly silence came across the crowd. Such despondency blackened the whole vicinity that Coach/Forward Pocket Scotty, the angel of a human being that he is, decided to first miss a straight forward snap then let a Pot Hole ripper bounce straight off his chest to set up the next two goals for the Phants as they hit the front for the first and only time some 10 minutes into the first quarter. Unfortunately for them however, that was as generous as the Vietnam could be and the Swans went onto to slam home 3 more for the first term and another 5 in the second term to take out a game winning 6 goal lead at half time.

The third quarter saw a more pumped up Laos unit as they endeavored to get back into the game but the Swans ended up taking out the quarter albeit by a slight margin. The final quarter was taken by the Phants as they showed the strength of a larger bench but it was also helped by a couple of easy misses, again led by Scotty.

The Swans had winners all over the ground with Sammy Griggs running riot through the centre and half forward ending up with seven goals in a BOG performance. Drew was the dominant big guy around the ground taking strong marks and busting packs only to blot his own sheet by climbing higher than anyone thought the big guy could ever get, then dropping the ball through his fingers into the waiting hands of a Laos crumber. Dan Kindness played a great game in the back lines and ran the ball out well all day. Pot Hole had a dozen or more very effective touches and run rings around them in the centre as did Matt the backpacker. It was a great team effort however and if this was U13’s the line in the Sunday papers would have proudly read “All played well”

For Lao, they also had several good players who were competitive all day, none who did better than the Swans choice for the Elephants best player, Big Bad Bruce, who kept the forwards of Willy and Gus busy all day and only giving up 1 goal. Others to play well for Laos were Wil and Mick Hassett who does pretty good for an old bugger.

As to the off-field performance, Pot Hole lead the way all weekend and Gus ended up with Bob…….but that’s another story!

If you’re into omens, the omens were not good. Last minute cancellations to the Swannies’ inaugural tour to Vientiane, Laos, included Griz, Nathan, Shannon, Fabbo, Matty Johns, Muzza and Hanoi’s Pied Piper, Micky Francis.

Excuses ranged from the mandatory broken toe nail to having “just had a fight with my husband”. Then, Shannon turned in a blinder: he lost his passport the day before, scored a replacement complete with Laos visa, got to the airport and was knocked back by Immigration because he didn’t have a re-entry visa! Unheard of.

Clearly, it’s not just the Swannies who are stuck on Shannon as the poor man was denied the right by his Vietnam hosts to leave them for just one night (“Ah well, it’ll make him hungrier for the Champs”, said a few of the wise, old heads around the Club).

The touring Swans were now down to 10 players. Luckily, Micky Francis had played his tune a week earlier and two backpackers from his Hanoi Backpackers’ Hostel had travelled on to Laos and were now planted in Vientiane - where a throng of locals had already gathered to listen to them grow.

On Super Saturday Match Day, the Lao Elephants very generously loaned another two locals to the Swans which took our numbers up to a total of 14 (10 on the paddock, 4 on the bench).

It was all good for the Swans who went on to win against a very competitive Lao Elephants, 80pts to 55pts.

The local press delighted in listening to the roar of the crowd at each of Sam Grigg’s goals and the following day screamed (in the French newspaper, Le Laos), Sammy Snags Seven for the Swans! and (Laos’ Footy Almanac, the Footy Annual), Grigg Boots Goals Galore! 

Despite the Swans agreeing in advance that there would be no coach, after the victory, Super Savvy Scotty Stacey was awarded the Coaching Cap so that he could blemish his perfect score, until this match, of zero victories in the Coach’s Box. Scotty is already etching it into the Club’s folklore as the Vientiane Victory.

As expected, it was a huge weekend and many thanks to the Lao Elephants for their hospitality.

It was just the second home game for the Elephants and it was the Swans first ever victory on the road. We’re two young clubs having a crack. Last year, with the support of 6 guys from Laos, the Vietnam Swans had their inaugural appearance at the Champs. This year, the Laos Elephants will do the same. How good is that, Mr Umpire??? 

A full Swans report will follow in due course. For those requiring more specific information right now, log on to the which has already posted a match report.

Dear Swans Players and Supporters 

The Swans Blog and a number of Singaporean Wombats have already flown into Hanoi. The Capital has been gripped with Footy Fever. 

The locals have responded amazingly to Willy’s call for them to express their support for the Swans by leaving their cars at home and riding their motorbikes instead. The Hanoians have come out in droves. Fantastic and unbelievable scenes. 

The BIG news is that this inaugural match between the Vietnam Swans and the Singapore Wombats will be played for the Mick Francis / Lou Milicevic Cup. Mick led the charge for the rebirth of footy in Hanoi which has now spread to the deep south of the country. Lou is a former coach of the Singapore Wombats. 

The Agenda this weekend is: 

• Tonight, from 6.30pm – Jaspas, 4^th Flr Hanoi Towers to greet the Singapore Wombats and have the jumper presentation. Hanoi Oi’s netballers will also be there. Awwwwwwwesome.
• Tomorrow @ 2pm – UNIS, Ciputra. Game on. Presentation of the Mick Francis / Lou Milicevic Cup to be done by the Australian Ambassador, Bill Tweddell. (Showers are at the ground so bring a change of clothes)
• Tomorrow after the match – JAFA Bar and Restaurant, Ciputra – drinks and dinner
• Sunday Brunch – The Green Mango  

This weekend, you won’t have to wait until the end of the day to discover that it’s all good. 

Special thanks to the Club’s sponsors: 

• Linfox Logistics – The Swans wouldn’t trust anyone else to shift our trophy cabinets
• Loscam Pallets – The Swans use Loscam’s pallets to load our trophy cabinets onto Linfox trucks
• Blue Ink Asia – As the designers of our awwwwwwwesome new Vietnam Swans jumper, should be rebadged as Blue (Red, White & Black) Ink Asia
• Big Rooster Footy – Rooster the Goose has manufactured the perfect Swans jumper
• Bobby Brewers Coffee – The perfect companion when watching late night re-runs of classic Swannies’ matches
• Jim Beam – With Beam, it’s never Been better.
• Jaspas Bar & Restaurant – You’ve seen Casper the friendly ghost so now try Jaspas your friendly hosts
• Jafa Bar & Restaurant – A clever rhyme has me licked this time – but do try their ice cream  

Finally, a prediction for the Wombats: You’ve just been passed by another Swan. Hearin me? 

Phil Johns President, Vietnam Swans

Last week, Kevin Sheedy visited the Singapore Wombats:

“AFL’s 150 Year Ambassador and recently inducted AFL Hall of Famer, Kevin Sheedy visited the Singapore Wombats last week to conduct a coaching clinic and pass on advice from over 44 years of involvement in the game.

“The Wombats are an Australian football team which began in Singapore back in the 1990′s.  This year there has been a strong emphasis on building relationships with the Australian International School to ensure a quality Junior program exists.

“With only 11 children doing an Auskick clinic three years ago and over 2000 Australian children currently enrolled at the school, something needed to be done.  With the assistance of the AFL and some passionate individuals the Wombats football club now has over 180 families involved in the Auskick program.

“The Singapore Wombats have played in two international games this year involving the senior team and Auskick children. One game was against Malaysia and another International Rules game was against an Irish team. They have tours to Vietnam, Jakarta and Bangkok in the months ahead.   The Auskick players played against Malaysia at half time, which Sheedy said was the first ever international Auskick game! The junior Wombats have also been over to Subiaco to play at half time of the West Coast versus Carlton game in May.”

Click onto on the AFL’s website for the full story.

But what was Sheedy like? Did he have anything genuinely interesting or insightful to say? Singapore Wombats President, Granty’s reply: “Sheeds is a freak – more details over Hanoi beers!”

Bring on next Saturday’s Vietnam Swans Vs Singapore Wombats match.

have listened to the feedback from the crowd in the outer. We told them to harden the duck up – and they did. The Swan is graceful but evil; dignified but daring. And, if you look closely, the shape of the neck resembles the shape of Vietnam.

She’s a bewdy, mate.

Have a look at versions 6 a, b and c – and then post a comment voting for your personal favourite. Any last minute suggestions? We need to write “Viet Nam” on the back and we need a space on the front for a sponsor.

For a closer look, have a look at the  in pdf detail.

Pago, current President of the Saigon Geckos Rugby Club, player and Fines Master in the first Vientam National AFL Team which made its inaugural appearance at the 2007 Asian Championships, is also one of the original Saigon Saints.

2008 marks the 10th anniversary of the Sainters and below is a brief insight by Pago into the hearts and minds of the Sophisticated Saints.

The Saigon Saints formed in mid 1998 for reasons still unknown. It may have been something to do with the launch of a new beer, or an excuse to exercise then drink more beer, it is probably best left alone. One thing that is known is that upon formation they immediately became the strongest Aussie Rules side in the country. The Saints rivals, the Hanoi Hawks as they were then known, were a low bunch of communist dogs that regularly suffered severe punishment at the hands of the Saints, sometimes narrowly surviving the devastating tactics in both attack, and beer consumption. This is still the case today with the Saints yet to be beaten by the northern scum.

On occasions where the beer ran out The Saints were sometimes forced to venture to new lands to continue their Aussie Rules domination and beer consumption. Amongst the most memorable was a 1999 tour to Phnom Penh where knowing there was a lack of musical entertainment, the Saints insisted on taking their own band, and as such drank Cambodia’s beer to their favourite tunes. Other tours followed with a trip to Bangkok in April 2000  seeing the retirement of many key players. In fact, following this trip the Saints remained undefeated for as many as 6 years until a worthwhile opposition fronted in the form of a visiting Navy ship or a lost Collingwood side.

Today in Saigon the spirit of the Saints lives on with a regular Grand Final Day Brunch hosting in excess of 200 people, and attracting guest speakers such as  David Rhys-Jones, Rod Ashman, David Wilson, Dale Weightman, Mark Yeates, Russel Morris, Gary Ablett and his sons Gary Jnr and Nathan. Still to this day the Saints are yet to lose to the Hanoi scum, and a new breed of younger beer drinkers have taken the reins of this proud club in its 10th year.

Go The Sainters!!!