Welcome everyone to the inaugural Hanoi League (HAFL)!
Announcing the New League
Over the last few years we, as a club, have run an end of year AFLX. The new HAFL is an expansion of that concept. This year, 2020, will see 4 teams compete in a league, each team will play each other twice, with the season wrapping up with a finals weekend.
It is expected that once again, the Herons with their competitive streak will be the front runners and favorites, the Crabs will be more focussed on where the after party is and get distracted, the Langurs will be looking for oil replenishments to keep their squeaky tinman leader quiet and the Buffalos will show early promise by keeping their Herons winning streak intact, but will again drop off the pace as they become more concerned with conspiracies than the game.
Whatever happens, the banter will be fantastic as the season progresses and if history tells us anything, it tells us that it is a great time that is had by all, no matter age, sex or ability.
So get involved, if you are in Hanoi on any of the weekends and keen for a kick, send us a message and we can make sure it happens.
The Draw
Six rounds and into the finals!
Officials
The team nominated to be officials will need to provide:
- 2 Central Umpires
- 2 Boundary Umpires
- 2 Goal Umpires
- 1 Scorer/timekeeper
- 2 Water Runners
The Rules
- Games will be 9 aside. Each team can have a maximum of 5 boys on the field at any time during play in the game. Any team breaching this during the game will have their score wiped for that quarter.
- All interchanges must occur through the “interchange gate”.
- 25 meter penalties will apply where deemed appropriate by the central umpires.
- Maximum of three players per team in the center square for a bounce.
- Sendoff rule: A 10-minute sin-bin will apply for what would be a reportable offence including abusive language and time wasting. The player cannot be replaced during the 10 minutes. In the case of a particularly serious offence, the officials will have the right to ban a player for the remainder of the game.
- Games will consist of 4 x 10 minute quarters.
- 1st and 3rd quarter time breaks will be 3 minutes in length.
- Half time break will be 5 minutes in length.
- Games will start on time. Game 1 will commence at 10.10 am with game 2 commencing at 11.10 am.
- Teams must be ready and in their starting positions for the start of the game. Any team that is not ready will be penalized 1 goal per minute.
- Goals by female players will be worth double.
The Teams
Ba Dinh Buffalos
Squad: Mick, Todd, Lachlan, Ben, Ross, Nick, Will, Owen, Siara, Meghan, Diep, Caitlyn, Nisa, Ash
Co-Captains: Todd Donovan and Siara North
Mentor: Mick Francis
When this time of year comes around, the Buffalo’s are confident, ready to prove their worth. Unfortunately for them, in previous years, that has been short lived.
With the Francis family coming in numbers like the Brady Bunch, mentor Mick is once again confident of glory. Looking strong in the leadership department, captain Todd Donovan will lead the Buffalo’s by the horns, to Hanoi Sandwich House, the rest can make their own way from there.
Experience is key, and Lachlan Stark, swannies oldest looking masters player, certainly brings a wealth of that. A special mention must go to new mother of two, Siara, who still refuses to play alongside her life partner.
The Buffalo’s have Irish blood, a host of skillful women and plenty of youth, so this year, they should come out firing. Let’s hope the buffalo won’t get stuck in the mud as they so often tend to do.
Buffalo’s Biggest Asset: Youth
Odds: 5/1
Cau Giay Crabs
Squad: Daniel, James W, Jack, Andrew, Long, Malone, Frank, Nini, Nichole, Men, Josephine, Saskia, Tash
Captain: James Worland and Nini Bullard
Mentor: Daniel Hopkins
With an unprecedented shakeup at the top, the Crabs enter the 2020 Hanoi Mixed League with new co-mentors and co-captains under a cloud of uncertainty that resembles Hanoi Weather Dude’s forecasts.
With some of the biggest mouths in Hanoi, there is no doubt that they can talk the talk, but with the departure of their hardest, fastest and let’s face it, best players from last year, the Lucardies, will they be able to walk the walk or will they revert to their namesake and nervously sidestep away from the contest when it matters most?
After losing the Granny again last year, there is no doubt they’ll be looking to go one better this year and pinch the title.
Team’s Biggest Asset: Experience
Odds: 10/1
Long Bien Langurs
Squad: Mark, Luke, Brewster, Connor, Mikey, Francois, Trung, Victoria, Katie, Phuong, Didi, Nani, Bex
Captain: Luke Philpott and Katie Nelson
Mentor: Mark Tierney and Travis Fennell
After a disappointing AFLX the Langurs are back bigger and better (debatable) than ever. They’ve really bolstered their list with some exceptional off the field performers. Look out for those Langurs at the after party! They are sure to make their presence felt!
Their men and women have been burning up the training track (and bia hoi afterwards) and their new additions have pace and skill. Led by their fearless leader Mark (who some have compared to Glen Jackovich) the Langurs may be the surprise packet this year.
Team’s Biggest Asset: Location
Odds: 25/1
Hoan Kiem Herons
Squad: James P, Jason, Keith, Ryan, Rob, Phil, Louise, Eva, Layla, Trang, Lan, Hanh, Jardi
Captain: Jason Kane and Louise Ode Bezuidenhout
Mentor: James Phillips and Tracey Johnson
You know when you meet a Heron, they’re the team taking everything WAY too seriously. Whilst fun is on the agenda for the other 3 teams, fun isn’t allowed when you pull on the Heron’s top and don’t even think about smiling!
Leading from the front is Old James who has clearly ignored the rule stating mentors need to be 100kg+. Irish flyweight Jason talks a big game for someone who is 5’2”. The Herons big fellas Rob, Phil and Ryan will need to make sure they watch where they step or little Jase may end up squashed under their boots. Louise leads a strong group of highly-disciplined girls who are kept in line by the thought of being spear-tackled by Trang if they make any mistakes.
Given they are channeling former Heron “Captain Serious” Jake Norris, no doubt the Herons will be there at the business end of the season.
Biggest Asset: Reputation
Odds: 5/2
