Ah McRae, what are you up to this time?? Ross McRae tells us all about the Swannies’ 2012 AFL Supercoach and Footy Tipping Competitions.

Dear all Tippers and Fantasy Coaches,

This is it. This weekend has the kick-off with the opening match of Sheedy’s teenagers taking on the other great Swans club in what will be a momentous occasion for Australian sport. And, perhaps Timmy’s sly auction purchasing last year (of a GWS jumper at the Grand Final Party) will see his investment sky rocketing.

Supercoach 2012

We already have our first Supercoach league full and what a great league it looks to be!  Ryan ‘dark horse’ Evans looks to be the man to cause quite a stir this year and Shagger is looking to come back from a disappointing showing in the Grand Final (perhaps he needs another whistle).

You can join up in the Vietnam Swans’ Magoos league by searching for 965281. 10 spots remaining. No cash – just a whole lot of Glory!!

It’s even bigger with it’s very own Twitter account – 

Footy tipping 2012

As part of tradition, we are also running a Swannies’ Footy Tipping league. Same entry fee as last year of 250k or 13AUD direct debit.  Entry fee is optional although, if you want the cash prize, that you intend to pay or have paid. Only those who pay will be be eligible for the prize money, even if you come first!!

Just follow this link to join – .

So bring on the AFL season, bring on the Swannies and bring on the HOOTs!!

Supercoach out!!
Coach of the Reigning Premiers, the Ahs.

Ed’s note: Ah McRae, will you win it again??

The 2012 AFL Season is getting very close – and that means you need to start thinking about excel spreadsheets and dartboards: spreadsheets for the Swannies’ Supercoach comp and dart boards for the Swannies’ Footy Tipping comp.

Swannies’ Supercoach

If you think you have too much time on your hands, this is the competition for you.

If you ‘re sick of listening to your mates talk about more trades more often than any broker on Wall Street in a bubbling economy, you’re not alone. But don’t worry. Now you can fight back. Thanks to Ross, we’re going to have a weekly Supercoach newsletter, jam packed with vital tips and analysis, that will help you smash anyone not on his mailing list. Ah McRae, you’ve done it again.

Supercoach Details

• Elite League – VND500,000 (AUD25)  and limited to first 18 people who sign up. Modest amount of prize money available. Immodest amount of bragging rights also available. Please pay the Swannies’ Treasurer, Rowan Luke. If outside of Vietnam, you can transfer money to ‘s Australian bank account.
• Casual League – If more than 18 sign up for the Elite League, we will run a separate “Casual League”. No entrance fee – and, alas, no prize money.

To join Swannies’ Supercoach, you will need an invitation from Ross at

Footy Tipping Competition

Last year, we had multiple comps going on here. This year, we want everyone to be in the same competition. It’s at

• Entrance fee: VND250,000 ($13AUD)
• Payments may be made to Treasurer, Rowan Luke. Outside of Australia, we will advise separately.
• If you haven’t paid entrance fee by Round #2, you will be ineligible for any prize money.
• If you would like to be the “administrator-facilitator” of the footy tipping, please contact .

Another big year in footy is starting…

Retiring Swannies’ Senior Coach, Josh Little, does a wrap up of the footy tipping and Supercoach competitions that both concluded last weekend.

As the finals heat up in the AFL, the Vietnam Swans are already celebrating their champions. When the home and away season concluded last weekend, there were two clear winners in the Supercoach and Footy Tipping Competitions.

Supercoach had it’s own fierce battle between old friends, Shagga and Rossco. In the end, Ross came out on top to take out the Supercoach championship (Ed’s note, Ah McRae, you’ve done it again). Those two will be sharing the prize money in the coming weeks and I’m sure it will go to good use…

The Footy Tipping had a spectacular ending to it with RIP (Chris Lawrence) leading for the majority of the end of the season. Derrin Limbrick has been close the last couple of years and was coming home hard. With a big upset and some potential upsets brewing over Round 24, Dezza just got over the line by one tip to finish on 146 for the year (Ed’s note: Is this “All Asia” bloke going to leave any silverware on the shelf in 2011??). Chris Lawrence and Fleur Limbrick took out equal second with 145, just one tip behind Dezza. Considering Fleur has only started tipping within the last couple of years, you would have your money on her to take it out in 2012!

Congratulations to Ross McRea and Derrin Limbrick for being the 2011 Champions!

Prize money will be awarded at training in the next couple of weeks.

Thank you for everyone who participated in 2011. It was a great year and we can’t wait for 2012

Last weekend, the Swannies’ Ross McRae who designs all the Swannies’ posters and banners and everything else, picked up the Supercoach title. Below, he reveals all in a “thank and tell all” email.

Firstly, thank you Josh (the Swannies retiring coach) for running Supercoach again for the year and providing us with your ‘weekly’ updates.  However your final odds were certainly off.  Personally, thank you for getting me into this, now with it all over I am able to focus on…, well…, something…

Shagger, congrats on runner ups.  We did what we set out to do and that was to finish 1st and 2nd in, whichever order, it doesn’t matter.  As well as putting those ‘more experienced’ coaches in their places. Lower down.  Next year I won’t be sharing as much information, since you’ve found your legs and, with little nudges, was able to field a team I had a feeling was going to go missing in the finals.

Meatholes, condolences for the 3 point loss in Batch’s league. ‘Boomer’ Harvey certainly lifted for the last game with a Personal Best for the year.

Daisy, you made your choice on leaving Vietnam so chin up. You just need to find your ‘Martinis’ and you will be okay.

Josh has already asked Shagger and I to run Supercoach next year, so I look forward to taking this on and will be pushing early to field a league of people who actually pay money… Gus…

Thanks again for the competition gentlemen, and see you at the Draft, NAB Cup and GWS training seasons.

Josh Little previews this weekend’s Supercoach Grand Final.

Swannies. It doesn’t get any bigger than this! The 2011 Supercoach Grand Final is upon us and it’s a big clash this weekend with Shagga v Ross. Not since the round 17 showdown between Melbourne and Port Adelaide at TIO stadium has there been such hype surrounding a match of AFL football. Ross did what he simply had to; beat Daisy and get into the Grand Final. Shagga did it with ease and booked himself in a Grand Final in his first ever finals series.

Batch bowed out with no trades, unable to account for those zeros. We know Batch will be back next year and ready to go.

Daisy almost did it again for the second year in a row. He almost stumbled into another Grand Final. His opponent wasn’t scoring well and he almost got over the line. Unfortunately Rossco just got there in the end to cap off another eventful finals series for the Daisy chain.

Shagga has spent very little time with the Vietnam Swans in 2011. People are wondering why but when you’re a number 1 contender heading into the Grand Final, you don’t need too many excuses. He has been focused all year, whilst some players hit the gym to work on their guns, Shagga hit bigfooty and fanfooty to find the best players to pick up for his team. And boy did it pay off in spectacular fashion! Shagga held top spot on the ladder for some time before being beaten by Ross in the final round of the home and away season. Now, Shagga has a chance at revenge and an even better chance to take home a premiership. In a forgetful year for South Australians in footy, Shagga has a chance to restore some pride for his home state!

Ross claimed that this would be his year, he spent 2010 finding his feet in supercoach and always claimed “don’t underestimate my ability to find information on the internet”. Geek. But Ross was right, he was able to get a greater understanding of the game and its players, pick the right guys and become one of the strongest teams in the competition. Ross set up his finals with a big win over Shagga in the final round of the season and a massive first up score to secure his place in the Prelim. Ross will be sidetracked with posters for the Vietnam Swans Grand Final Parties but he will be sure to be glued to a computer screen all weekend.

TAB Sportsbet Odds:

Adelaidecows $1.50 vs Hoosiers $2.35

Josh’s prediction:

Rossco is flat out of trades. That’s a fact, he used up everything he had to get into the Grand Final. Shagger is a little sneaky, I know he had quite a few trades heading into the finals and might still have 1 up his sleeve. This is huge given it’s the final round of the home and away season in the AFL, there will be a lot of stars rested before the finals. Shagga had a massive score last week and Ross struggled a little. You would have to say that Shagga might have the upper hand in this battle. Shagga by 100+

BUT WAIT, there is a little more.

Gus made the Grand Final in the “everyone gets a gold star” finals series. The best of the rest have faced off and now Gus will be taking on Lucas to see who will be the champion off the bottom 8. Gus finished ninth and is keen to restore a bit of pride. Lucas had a very unlucky year and really should have been in the top 8. Whoever wins will be taking some momentum into the 2012 season.

My pick is Gus because he needs to win something this year! How bad is “Gus luck”?

That’s all from me for 2011. Thank you all for putting up with my annoying e-mails and bad jokes. Come back in 2012 and we will do it all over again!

Honk your horn if you love your Supercoach… and the Swans of course!

HONK HONK

Josh Little is the Swannies resident Supercoach. He’s also organising the Swannie’s AFL Supercoach 2011 competition. Read on if you want to be part of the action!

Well boys, it’s on again!

After speaking with many participants in 2010, this was an absolute HIT last year. So the Swans will do battle again in 2011 and fight for the ultimate prize, the Vietnam Swans Supercoach Championship!

Will Gus continue to be obsessed with this game and spend every Sunday night crying over another lost opportunity?

Will Daisy fly to another country and some how fall into the Grand Final again this year?

Will Shagga understand that picking an entire team of Adelaide Crows players isn’t necessarily a good thing?

Will Willy continue his weekly banter and vocal support from the North?

Or, lastly, will Josh (that’s me) continue to show his strong form in this game and claim his much deserved first crown in Supercoach?

All these questions will be answered when the season kicks off!

I have already set up the Swans league and it’s just waiting for all the participants to join. Given the success that 2010 delivered, I suggest registering your team early to avoid disappointment.

I think before we start the league, we should all agree to the fee this year. I think 500,000VND (USD25) would be fair for everyone who joined, making it 6,00,000VND for the winner and 2,000,000VND for the runners up. I’m open to ideas so let me know your preference.

Reply to this e-mail if you’re keen to play and I will send you an invitation. We will sort out the payments later when trainings start.

Honk your horn if you love Supercoach (and, of course, the Swannies).

National President, Phil Johns sends out an update on what is happening in the Land of Swannies.

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

A b-i-g week just finishing. A mega month about to be unleashed…

1. AFL Superstars Nathan Buckley and Gary O’Donnell join Swannies footy clinic at RMIT
2. Lao Elephants Vs Vietnam Swans, tomorrow
3. ANZAC Weekend, Hanoi Vs Saigon, Vung Tau (near Saigon)
4. Footy tipping
5. Tomorrow in Netball: Saigon Vs Hanoi

1. AFL Superstars Nathan Buckley and Gary O’Donnell join Swannies footy clinic at RMIT

In Melbourne Victoria Street, Richmond is known as “Little Saigon”. Last Sunday, RMIT University, Saigon looked like “Little Melbourne” when AFL Superstars Nathan Buckley (Collingwood) and Gary O’Donnell joined the Vietnam Swans for a footy clinic. The players were mobbed by squillions, young and old, Vietnamese and Australian, for autographs and photos. Amazing scenes – especially with the Vietnamese kids from KOTO whose ears were joined by the biggest grins. Despite having just arrived from Australia, Nathan and Gary were both generous and genuine with their time. They both made it look like the footy clinic was the only place they wanted to be. Fantastic.

To see photos, visit the .

2. Lao Elephants Vs Vietnam Swans, tomorrow

Today, the Vietnam Swans set off for Lao to take on the might of the stomping Lao Elephants. Stomp, stomp, stomp. The big game will start in Vientiane at 4pm tomorrow.

When the Vietnam Swans played in our inaugural Asian Championships back in 2007, five top fellas from Lao joined us. Since then, those fellas went on to form the Lao Elephants. Elephants founder, Marty Sharples, says that regardless of the tournament, whenever our two teams play each other, it is the “Marquee Event”.

The Lao Elephants have forwarded a schedule for the weekend and, as expected, the hospitality will be first rate. The Elephants will return to Vietnam in November for the 4th Annual Indochina Cup which will be held in Saigon.

3. ANZAC Weekend, Hanoi Vs Saigon, Vung Tau (near Saigon)

The Vietnam Swans will host an ANZAC footy match between Hanoi and Saigon at the Vung Tau Greyhound Race Track on Saturday 24 April. This will be our inaugural ANZAC Match. Swannie and Warrant Officer from the Australian Embassy, Dan Kindness, shall take us on a tour to places of significant interest to Australia on the Saturday morning. In the afternoon, we will play the footy match which will be followed by an informal function. On the Sunday morning, we shall attend the Long Tan Dawn Service. Dan shall show us several more sites before we head back to Vung Tau to watch the Collingwood Vs Essendon ANZAC Day match on the TV.

The Vietnam Swans will play the footy match on the Saturday as a mark of respect to all who have fallen in all wars and to celebrate life in Vietnam in 2010.

This will be an extraordinary event and going forward, we expect it will become an annual event that connects communities. As part of that, we shall also announce full details of a local swimming program that the Vietnam Swans will support (in Vietnam, approximately 40 children under the age of 15 drown each day).

Coincidentally, last night, Swannie Phil Murphy (Hanoi), who is currently in Melbourne on business, attended a function with Hawthorn players.  Phil spoke with Luke Hodge and Brent Guerra (see photo). He says that “Luke was fascinated that there was a very active AFL team in Vietnam and they (wished us) the very best for the year ahead – especially for our ANZAC event.”

Details are still being finalised butclick here for the that has been put prepared by Dan Kindness. As you can see, it is a very comprehensive program and already, 75 people are confirmed to join the weekend from Hanoi.

To register your interest in attending, please contact in Hanoi or in Saigon.

4. Footy tipping

It’s still not too late to join the Vietnam Swans AFL footy tipping competition for Season 2010. For full details, click here or email .

5. Tomorrow in Netball: Saigon Vs Hanoi

Tomorrow, the Saigon Shooters Netball Club will host the inaugural clash between the Saigon Shooters and the Hanoi Oi’s at the Australian International School in D2, Saigon. The Swannies enjoy a very close relationship with both these teams and both have toured with us before. Both teams will be part of our Indochina Cup weekend later in the year. So, if you’re in Saigon tomorrow, get out there to AIS and barrack your lungs out for…

As long as netball is the winner, the Swannies will be happy.

Finally, honk yer horn if you love Aussie Rules in Vietnam!

The Vietnam Swans National President, Phil “Fabbo” Johns sends out the season’s first global email. Read on!

Dear Swannies, Sponsors and Supporters

In the Vietnamese New Year, well may we welcome the Year of the Tiger, because nothing will save them from the Year of the Swannie!

2010 is shaping up to be another big year and we are hoping to make a couple of big announcements very soon. However, during the interim, please see below for an update on the Swannies Calendar:

1. Lao Elephants Vs Vietnam Swans
2. ANZAC Weekend, Vung Tau
3. Footy tipping comp and Supercoach
4. Training in Hanoi and Saigon resumes this week
5. Big Day Out recap
6. Making the news
7. National Sponsors

1. Lao Elephants Vs Vietnam Swans

The Vietnam Swans first match for Season 2010 will be played against the Lao Elephants on 20 March in the land locked country of Vientiane, Lao.

2. ANZAC Weekend, Vung Tau

It is official. We will play a football match in Vung Tau (near Saigon) on ANZAC Weekend. The match will be played between Hanoi and Saigon at the Vung Tau Greyhound Racing Track on Saturday 24 April. The following morning, there will be the opportunity to attend the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Long Tan. We will return to Vung Tau for breakfast, watch the Dawn Service from Gallipoli on the Australian Network and then watch the Collingwood-Essendon match live from the MCG (before catching the ferry back to Saigon).

The first ever footy match in Vietnam was played by an Australian regiment in 1966 and then again in 1969, 1970 and 1971 (click here for full details from Wikipedia). If anyone knows the contact details of anyone associated with any of these matches, could you please forward to me.

More to follow.

3. Footy tipping comp and Supercoach

The Vietnam Swans AFL footy tipping comp is about to kick off for season 2010. It’s easy to play. Check here for full details.

If picking winners is too easy, you may want to get involved in all the detail and the strategy. If that sounds like you, you need to sign up for Supercoach.

Full details on these two Swannies Comps can be found here.

4. Training in Hanoi and Saigon resumes this week

This week, the Vietnam Swans resume training after the TET Lunar New Year holidays in both Hanoi and Saigon.

Hanoi -     Thursday nights starting at 6pm: Gym session at the Australian Embassy
Saturday afternoons at 1.45pm: Real footy training with Tommy Sherrin at the UN International School

Saigon –     Saturday afternoons: 2.30 – 4pm at RMIT University

5. Big Day Out recap

On 30 January, the Vietnam Swans ran Auskick Sessions at Auscham’s Big Day Out in Saigon. The Saigon Shooters also ran some netball clinics. It was a great success (see photos below).

On display, we had a certificate of appreciation from the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League thanking the Vietnam Swans and broader community for the money raised last year in support of the victims of the Black Saturday Bushfires. Also, for the first time, we had the Phoenix Perpetual Cup on display. It was donated to the Vietnam Swans by the Captain of the Australian Naval Ship, HMAS DARWIN. This trophy is played for each time an Australian ship visits Vietnam.

6. Making the news

Would you believe that last year, the Swannies appeared in publications such as the Bangkok Post, the Melbourne “Age”, Vietnam News, the Jakarta Globe, the Sydney Swans AFL Website, the Australian Embassy’s website, the Saigon Times and WA Today  – as well as appearing on a Saigon television station’s program? To see the full list and to read their stories, click here.

7. National Sponsors

Thanks very much again to the Vietnam Swans National Sponsors:

• – Jumper Sponsor. Transport logistics.

• – Jumper Sponsor. Keep your premises clear of pests.

• – Jumper Sponsor. JB, just the best bourbon.

• – Jumper Sponsor. Fly me there cheaply!

• – Travel Bag Sponsor. Now in Vietnam.

• – Shorts Sponsor. All your accounting needs answered.

• – Training singlets. We can shift you anywhere.

• - Medical provider. Giving the community peace of mind.

• – Graphic Design. Vietnam’s on line real estate portal.

• – Stubby holder sponsor. Performance trimarans and catamarans

Can’t get enough of a Swannies’ footy fix? Not surprised. Log onto http://vietnamswans.com for more.

Beginning, middle and end of the day, we’re all honkin’ our horns for one reason: we love the footy.

All good!