Swannies rise to the top
If the 9-4, top of the AFL Asia ladder Vietnam Swans hadn’t already stated their emergence as a serious Asian Champs contender with their 3rd Asian Champs semi-finals appearance in 2014, then they certainly have in 2015 with their straight sets Manila Cup victory in May, defeating Malaysia, Hong Kong and a memorable 1-point Grand Final victory against hosts the Philippine Eagles. While taking home their first piece of silverware from outside IndoChina, the Swannies also went on a 7-game winning streak from April to July this year, beginning with their impressive 41-point Anzac Day Friendship Game victory over last year’s Champs the Wombats, through to winning both games in their “Cannonball Run” series against an ever improving Cambodian Eagles team. However, the Swans have lacked consistency in 2015, going down to Thailand in the IndoChina Cup for the second year running, a home defeat to Malaysia and a poor showing at the Hong Kong 10’s. The question is still out on if the Swans have the cattle to make an Asian Champs Grand Final but you can be assured Captain Billy Crang and his boys won’t be leaving anything out on the field this year.
Coach/Captain’s thoughts:
You’re definitely going to have to earn this years title of Asian Champs. The Vietnam Swans have put everything into the last few months and with our first tournament win this year we go into this years Champs with a belief we haven’t had before. With a squad of 30 players heading to Bangkok this week we are looking forward to matching it with the power clubs of Asia. Good luck to all Countries in what is going to be a great day of footy in Bangkok.
Andy Glendinning, Coach Vietnam Swans
President’s thoughts:
We set ourselves some big goals this year, while we have had a few ticks, the biggest one of all is still ahead of us. We don’t think there is any club that loves Asian footy more than we do and we are very proud to have once again played the most AFL Asia games of any Club. We thank all the teams that have allowed us the opportunity to host you in awesome Vietnam over the course of the year and would warmly welcome everyone to join us in Saigon in 2016 if our application to host is accepted at the President’s meeting. Big thanks to Brendan, Jarrod, Al and all our IndoChina Bulldogs partners at the Thaigers for hosting us once again. We can’t wait to hit Bangkok and start honking a few horns!
Grant Keys, National President Vietnam Swans
