The 2022 Asian Champs are in the books and after 2 cancellations it’s great to have Asian footies pinnacle back in place! With over 70 Swans playing on the day and a great energy across all 3 of our squads the club can hold it’s head high after a great day. We had our chances but unfortunately no silverware. There’s still so much to like heading into 2023! Thanks as always to our amazing sponsors, coaches, leaders and every single tour member who made it such a memorable weekend!!!

Full video links of the whole day are available below…

DIVISION 1 MEN

In our first top flight tilt since the 2016 Champs in HCMC the Div 1 Men’s team were focused on proving we belonged at the top level. We did this straight up with a solid win vs the always powerful Singapore Wombats. The mid field were immense getting hands on the footy and bringing a supreme pressure level.

Our second game vs PNG will be considered the one that got away. Some touch-and-go goals in the first half put us behind in the game. Unfortunately a spirited second half saw us not quite grab our chances falling a goal short of going 2 & 0 and locking in a Grand Final berth.

In the final game vs the thus far undefeated Indonesia we didn’t stop pushing but lost our intensity and couldn’t go forward with enough impact. The backline stood up admirably throughout the day keeping us withing striking distance of every game with some breakout performances from Jordy, Spence and both Gaels stars Kev and Alan displaying plenty of promise for the future.

Everyone should feel proud of our efforts but also motivated to come away and continue to improve to bridge the narrow gap we’ve seen at the top levels. Bit of fitness, polish, system and we are every chance of achieving some success at this level in years to come.

All Asian Honours

Rusty Clarke

Jono McKay

Jake Norris

AFLW

A great effort across the day by our ladies saw us come away with 2 wins, 2 narrow losses including a Semi Final vs the Malaysian Warrior Women in which we just couldn’t take our chances in the 2nd half. Our skills were impressive and our connection between girls from the South and North were highlights helping us maintain possession for long stints of our games. The AFLW draw was extremely tight with all teams matching up in terms of skill, size and endurance and conversion came to the top in the end. Thanks to all the competing teams, we can’t wait to come back bigger, better next year and take our chances and go a few steps further 💪

All Asian Honours

Clare O’Gorman

Suzanne Ni Neachtain

Naomi Reidy

Others to get votes on the day were Ela Walsh, Louise and Hannah Walsh with Ela top scoring for us.

DIVISION 3 MEN

Despite not getting the points there was plenty to like about our Div 3 performances across the board. Some of the standouts were Vinh ‘Diesel’ attacking the contest like a mad man throughout the day. Malone showing some massive developments in his game from ANZAC Day that will lead to bigger and better performances in 2023 in the ruck, Mitch Red Dog bringing his rugby hits to the back line letting all opponents know they’d been in a contest. Some of the ‘seasoned’ campaigners lead from the front throughout with Andy G, Angus McEwin and Shane Macfarlane putting in 3 tireless efforts.

The highlight had to be Francois’ screamer in the Pakistan game right in front of the bench bringing the crowd to it’s feet.