Vietnam Swans » Grand Final

Grand Final Welcome Speech

Vietnam Swans — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:13:22 +0000

National President, Phil Johns, makes a rare speech

At the Vietnam Swans 2008 AFL Grand Final Party on 27 September in Saigon, the Swans National President delivered a short welcome speech. Below is an edited extract:

In the 1989 Geelong Vs Hawthorn Grand Final, Yates cannoned into Brereton; Gary Ablett Snr crunched Dippers’ rib cage – and a 17 year old Nathan Buckley was part of the half time entertainment.

Fast forward 19 years to today. Gary Ablett’s son, Junior, is now a superstar in the Geelong team. Nathan Buckley has already played his entire football career. A whole football generation has come and gone between the Hawthorn-Geelong Grand Finals of 1989 and 2008. “Ah, luxury”, say the Vietnam Swans!

Due to an extremely transient player list, we get to experience generational change seemingly every 12 months! That’s why forming a National Club was so important as it allows us to draw players and support from two cities.

And it’s working. Earlier in the month, we travelled to Singapore to play in our 2nd Asian Championships. In July, we were effectively able to play an impromptu match in Lao because, with players from both cities, we were able to scrape together a team for those wanting to make the trip. While there, Dan Kindness from the Embassy in Hanoi floated the idea of the Vietnam Swans playing a match in Saigon against a visiting Australian naval ship, the HMAS ANZAC. Last month, that idea became reality. Thanks to Hanoi, the match and event in Saigon happened and was a significant success. The crew from HMAS ANZAC described it as a “momentous occasion”.

The Vietnam Swans have successfully held Grand Final Parties in Hanoi for many years. This year, today, we will hold our first in Saigon.

It’s an important development for us. We need to be actively associated with the premier sporting event of the football code that we play around Asia. The Grand Final also provides the Vietnam Swans with an opportunity to increase the exposure of our sponsors. It provides us with a platform to raise funds which subsidises the costs of playing footy – whether that’s paying the $1,000 registration fee to play in the Asian Championships, buying medical insurance for the players or buying goal posts. When visiting teams come to Vietnam, we provide buses for the visiting teams, pay for the hire of the ground, pay for promotional materials and often, for the medical personnel to attend.

Creating memories for Cam

Playing in regional competitions and international friendlies whether at home or abroad is vital. They are key building blocks designed to strengthen and develop the Vietnam Swans into a vibrant and dynamic Club. As a Club, we are creating:

Opportunities to play footy more regularly
Fitness opportunities
Socialising opportunities

If we’re doing these things properly, we’re effectively creating Bruce McAvaney-like “special memories” for those who are part of the unfolding story.

Rather than detracting from the story, the fact that we experience generational change every 12 months actually adds to it. We have ex Swans in far flung corners of the globe who continue to stay in contact with the Club. The Swans Blog is a key vehicle for communicating with current, former and future players and supporters. With 6,000 hits for the month of September, there is genuine interest in the Vietnam Swans.

Ladies and Gentlemen, for those of us in Hanoi and for those of us in Saigon, have a cracking Vietnam Swans 2008 AFL Grand Final Party!

Photos of Hanoi Grand Final Party

Vietnam Swans — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:25:18 +0000

: The 2008 Grand Final in Hanoi

It’s all very good in Hanoi as both Hawthorn and the Vietnam Swans celebrate the 2008 AFL Grand Final.

To see this photo and others, check out the Vietnam Swans photo album.

Photos of Saigon Grand Final Party

Vietnam Swans — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:05:40 +0000

Victory!

Photos have just ben uploaded onto the Vietnam Swans Web Album of the Grand Final Party in Saigon.

Photos from Hanoi appearing later today.

If anyone has more photos, please contact the Swans at vietnamswans@gmail.com

Saigon’s Grand Final Party

Vietnam Swans — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:33:22 +0000

The Vietnam Swans 2008 AFL Grand Final Party, Saigon

Above are some photos of the Vietnam Swans 2008 AFL Grand Final Party in Saigon.

The face painters work on Super Savvy Scotty Stacey
The wardrobe of autographed AFL jumpers from the Sydney Swans, West Coast, St Kilda and Carlton
Some of the glamours: Bec, Christina and Jo
Cam with arguably the hottest date in Asian football, Miss Australia
Face painters at it again
Emma and the Hawks newest recruit, Jesse Johns
Bec and Matt Johns
The den where all the competition action happens
A moment during the match
Super Sav and Phil Johns
The Swans Signature Shot
Jerry wins the ticket to Hong Kong courtesy of Flight Center
Sam Grigg wins the Jim Beam and the hearts of the Jim Beam Party Crew!

Click onto the Vietnam Swans web photo gallery to see more.

Hanoi’s 2008 AFL Grand Final Party

Vietnam Swans — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:15:00 +0000

: Vietnam Swans 2008 AFL Grand Final Party, Hanoi

We’re still awaiting for the wrap up from the Grand Final Party in Hanoi. However, the pictures to the side, going clockwise from the bottom left, have already been leaked:

1. The ladies prove an AFL Grand Final is more than a man’s game.

2. The crowd watches intently.

3. Willy and Matt enjoy each other’s company while the Jim Beam Party Crew look on – longingly.

4. McCain says, “What Obama I’m not wearing my Swans jumper”.

5. Willy asks one unsuspecting child, “Would you like to buy a Swans jumper?”

6. Hanoi President of the Vietnam Swans, Mr Potsy (a Hawk supporter), puts his arms in the air in triumph after the final siren.

7. The Vietnam Swans Signature Shot - jumping between the camera and the AFL Premiers.

Which team?

Vietnam Swans — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:17:36 +0000

The then Hanoi Swans underneath the big screen in 2005

In 2005, the Sydney Swans triumphed over the West Coast Eagles in an absolute “ball-wearer”. Thanks to Bubbles (not his real name according to his birth certificate), he had the (then) Hanoi Swans assemble under the Big Screen when Paul Roos and Bad Barry held the Cup aloft.

And have a look at that Swans signature photo shoot! A classic, never-to-be-forgotten, photo.

In 2008, we know the Vietnam Swans will be in both Hanoi & Saigon. We also know that we will be doing our traditional photo shoot during the presentation ceremony.

But one nagging question: will it be Geelong or Hawthorn holding the Cup in the background?

To see the story that Geelong published on their website during the year about the Vietnam Swans, click on The Vietnam Swans and Miss Australia.

Hanoi hawks Melbourne jumper

Vietnam Swans — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:26:18 +0000

: In Hanoi, the Vietnam Swans will auction this Melbourne jumper

The Melbourne Demons have very kindly donated this amazing footy jumper to the Vietnam Swans which has been signed by all the the players.

In addition, Hanoi has a jumper from the Sydney Swans – also autographed by the entire team (and there is a second Sydney Swans jumper in Saigon).

Hanoi will auction both the Sydney and Melbourne jumpers during tomorrow’s Grand Final Party.

The particularly generous support being received this year by the Vietnam Swans is greatly appreciated.

2008 has been a big leap forward for us with Grand Final parties in both cities.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s “Age” Newspaper ran a story with the headline, Aussies abroad get there grand final kicks. The article mentions what an incredibly important cultural event the Grand Final is for Australians living abroad. Grand Final Parties are held everywhere “mainly in Europe and the US but also in Tel Aviv, Hanoi and Samoa”.

Go you Swannies in Hanoi!!

The article also carries a photo of the local team in Prague wearing Big Rooster Footy’s jumper, maker of the Vietnam Swans jumper. Rooster, always keen for a burst of publicity, contacted the Blog to tell us it was his jumper. He argued, “I really treally deserve my own category on your Blog – (especially) as 4 of the 5 international finalists in the ‘Australia’s favourite footy jumper’ competition were created by the home of the World’s Most Wanted Footy Jumpers… and one with a design inspired by the world’s most wanted man”.

The Vietnam Swans reminded the Rooster that he was a feather duster before we presented him with the Blue Ink Asia design for our new footy jumper.

The Blog suspects that the Rooster will not be hearin’ us… Hearin me?

Grand Memories of Vietnam

Vietnam Swans — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:30:00 +0000

Last year, Di and Neil from Bairnsdale in Victoria (Australia) were in Vietnam for the 2007 AFL Grand Final.

Di wrote to the Blog this morning to declare that, “We are suffering this week, thinking back to where we were this time last year floating around in Halong Bay.

“We wish you a fantastic Grand Final Day and wish we could be there again. We still have the big banner from last year (Ed’s note: We had been wondering where that banner had got to!) and it will be displayed proudly at home on Saturday at our own Grand Final Day bash”.

Di and Neil, it was great having you at our Grand Final Party last year and we thank you for the update! There’s no doubt that Aussie Rules and AFL Grand Finals are particularly special in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, less than special was the news that Di also tried - but was unable - to vote for the Vietnam Swans jumper in the “Australia’s favourite footy jumper” competition.

Di says, “I tried a couple of times to vote for the best jumper (we’ve assumed Di was voting for ours…) but couldn’t get the vote to go through”.

If the Blog received just one vote for every person who says they couldn’t get their vote through in that competition, we might have memories rather than delusions of grandeur!

Grand Final Fever hits Vietnam

Vietnam Swans — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:01:07 +0000

Adam Cooney climbs over the pack to win the Brownlow

The Brownlow

All was revealed tonight when the Western Bulldogs’ Adam Cooney (Woof, woof!), won the Brownlow and declared he had only passed Year 11 because “my mum did most of my homework for me”.

What wasn’t revealed, however, was which team will win next Saturday’s AFL Grand Final. Can Gary Ablett Jnr emulate the hurculean feats of Gary Ablett Snr and boot 9 goals in a losing Grand Final appearance against the Hawks? Will Luke Hodge use Brereton’s and Dipper’s stoic performances at the 1989 Grand Final to help him get through the pain barrier with his rank ribs next Saturday? Or will the Cats just go back to back? Plain n simple?

Maybe we need to stick to what we do know…

Vietnam Swans host Grand Final Parties in Hanoi and Saigon!!

Yes, this year, the Vietnam Swans are hosting Grand Final Parties in both Hanoi and Saigon (see attached for full details). The men, ladies and children will be spoilt with breakfast, lunch, Tiger Beer (Hanoi), Foster’s Lager (Saigon), Sangria (and some wine in Saigon), Margaritas (Hanoi) and Jim Beam (both cities). Truly, something for everyone.

We’ve also got some big ticket AFL jumpers to auction off – 2 Sydney Swans jumpers signed by the Sydney boys (Hanoi & Saigon), a Carlton jumper signed by Judd (Saigon), a West Coast jumper signed by Kerr (Saigon), a Melbourne jumper signed by the players that matter… (Hanoi) and a St Kilda jumper signed by the players that matter (Saigon).

Plenty of fun; plenty of action at both events. Tickets in Hanoi cost $30 today and $35 at the door. In Saigon, it’s just 500,000VND but book now to avoid disappointment.

We’re still keen to have more prizes on the day so if anyone can track down a voucher from a restaurant or an afternoon having your hair and nails done, let me know.

Grand Final Cyclo Parade, Hanoi

The 3^rd Annual Vietnam Swans Annual Grand Final Parade is on in Hanoi this Thursday night. Starts at 6pm at Le Pub at 25 Hang Be Street, Old Quarter. It’s the crazy pub crawl in a cyclo clad in club colours that people talk about. Quite possibly, it’s the most fun you can have in your footy jumper.

Bookings essential. See vietnamswans.com for full details or contact Micky Johnston at mjinvietnam@yahoo.com.au

Looking for a new job?

If life back at work after the Grand Final seems less than exciting, you may want to consider a career change. If so INTO University Partnerships is looking for a Regional Manager to “foster the development of educational ties between the UK and Vietnam through a range of measures” as detailed in the attached job description.

Honk yer horn if you love footy

Conclusion

At the beginning, middle and end of the day, from the top to the middle to the bottom of the country, people are honkin’ their horns because they love the footy.

Woof, woof! Honk, honk!

It’s all good.

3rd GF Cyclo Parade – more than before!

Vietnam Swans — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:21:17 +0000

: Last year’s Grand Final Cyclo Parade gets a mention in the Herald-Sun

The Vietnam Swans are pleased to release more than before.

Yes, now we will tell you everything about the 3rd Vietnam Swans Grand Final Cyclo Parade that will kick off at Le Pub, 25 Hang Be Street, Hanoi at 6pm on Thursday 25 September 2008.

For $20 you will get “initial finger food”, drinks between venues in your Grand Final Cyclo, bia hoi food, your own cyclo for three hours and Le Pub’s expert marshalling staff.

We start at Le Pub and then it’s off to Red Apron (Ly Thai To Street), the Polite Bar, Culi Cafe, bia hoi, and then back to Le Pub. It’s Buy Your Own drinks at each venue.

Tickets to the Vietnam Swans 2008 AFL Grand Final Party will also be on sale during the Parade – for just $30. This represents a $5 discount compared with door prices on Saturday.

For more information, contact Michael Johnston at mjinvietnam@yahoo.com.au