The official AFL-X Hanoi draft was completed last night at Turtle Lake Brewing Company! With the first-round pick going to Lachy and Mick’s Buffalos, the draft sets the scene for a huge day of football on December 8 in Hanoi.

All the action will be at a stadium in My Dinh, a 30 minute drive from Turtle Lake Brewing Company in Tay Ho. All welcome, including supporters and anyone interested in checking out some Aussie Rules Football. Food and refreshments will be available at the ground.

Players Drafted for the six new AFL-X Teams in Hanoi!

AFLX Hanoi Captains and MentorsAfter some intense banter and planning amongst the Hanoians in recent weeks, and the clear stacking of the Cho Lon Crocs in Saigon earlier in 2018, an official draw was conducted under clear rules and supervision.

The draw saw each team captain/mentor selecting one player from the following categories, before free selections were allowed:

  • Local Male
  • Local Female
  • Hanoi Women
  • Saigon Women
  • Hanoi Men
  • Saigon Men
  • Old Boys
  • Kids
  • Hanoi Dragons and others

Read on for the latest odds for each of the teams and don’t forget to follow the AFLX Hanoi page for all the latest news as it comes to hand.

 

Ba Dinh Buffalos AFLX HanoiBa Dinh Buffalos

Presented by: Vietnam Backpacker Hostels

Squad: Lucy, Lu, Dang, Siara, Larissa, Leanne, Terri, Lachlan ©, Mick, Will, JB, Murph, Gus, Harley

Captain: Lachlan Stark

Mentor: Mick Francis

Bookmakers rank this outfit from Ba Dinh as absolute outsiders. The selection team were in disarray through the draft as Lachlan continually tried to find players who are slower than him so he can look fast. This task proved to be very difficult, as the iceberg that sunk the titanic was not up for selection.

In what looks to be an aging list, the ladies will certainly need to step up if this team is to achieve any success in 2018.

Buffalo’s Biggest Asset: Guernsey design

Odds: 25/1

 

PangolinsPhu Thuong Pangolins

Presented by: Places2Go Travel

Squad: Trung ©, Yen, Josephine, Chia, Cindy, Jack, Brewster, James, Minh, Micka, Jason, Rod S, Jake B, Darry

Captain: Trung

Mentor: Phil Johns

Well, this team are so confident that they didn’t turn up to draft night, instead putting their fate in the hands of the reliable leaders from the other teams. In what was the perfect opportunity to stitch them up and give them players like Rocket who are well past their use-by-date, club leaders went the other way and gave them a very strong and balanced team.

One question remains: will Trung be able to pull himself away from the mirror and stretching for long enough to be at the event and lead this team to glory?

Team’s Biggest Asset: Local knowledge

Odds: 15/1

 

Cau Giay Crabs AFLX HanoiCau Giay Crabs

Presented by: Al Frescos Group

Squad: Long, Linh, Nini, Pauline, Grace, Naomi, Crazy ©, T Love, Kerro, Watto, Rob T, Rocket, Etienne, Lovesack

Captain: Daniel Hopkins

Mentor: Eric Kerrison

A little bit of excitement about this team now, with their ability to secure a number of highly fancied picks at the draft. The draft team worked tirelessly on Friday afternoon to come up with a strategy that may well pay off.

With a mix of experience, talent and youth this team will shake the competition up. Question marks remain as to whether or not a couple of the highly fancied players will be in a fit state on the day.

Team’s Biggest Asset: Athleticism

Odds: 10/1

 

Long Bien LangursLong Bien Langurs

Presented by: Beachside Boutique Resort

Squad: Vinh 2, Nhat, Mia, Steph, Bex, Pottsy ©, Francois, Trav, Charlie, Billy, Boy, Alex, Eckles

Captain: Luke Philpott

Mentor: Travis Fennell

One of the early favorites didn’t do themselves any harm in this draft. Only issue here may be the disharmony that surfaced early as Francois expressed his love for the Buffalos. Further tensions arose when Buffalo’s leaders questioned Pottsy as to why he hadn’t selected fiancé Siara.

A very well balanced team that will combine consistency with power.

Team’s Biggest Asset: Home Ground

Odds: 8/1

 

Tay Ho TurtlesTay Ho Turtles

Presented by: Turtle Lake Brewing Company

Squad: Minh Quan, Nhan Giulia, Alexz, Nona, Tom D, Sean, Dan L, Sygdae, Fionn, Pommy Tom, Jordan, Adam, Benji

Captain: Tom Delaney

Mentor: Dan Lucardie

Seen as a ‘safe bet’ early, the Turtles draft may see them slip down the order of favoritism come event day. One word that springs to mind with this team is fitness, so they will be hoping that this will make up for their lack of talent. This is another team that will be overly reliant on their ladies to get them over the line.

Team’s Biggest Asset: Hard Triers

Odds: 5/1

 

Hoan Kiem Herons AFLX HanoiHoan Kiem Herons

Presented by: Wide Eyed Tours

Squad: Dinh Anh, Trang, Tracey, Lucy Jones, Emily, Jake ©, Jason, Shane W, Sam W, Nitty, Cherer, Sha Mac, John

Captain: Jake Norris

Mentor: Tracey Johnson

The self-proclaimed ‘favorites’ have had what can only be described as a disappointing draft period. There is a good chance that their odds will drift dramatically come game day. Unfortunately for the Herons, their inspirational leader Tracey was unavailable as she was still trying hard to convince Trav to take her over to the Langurs. Jake, meanwhile was also checking out the Pangolins.

Biggest Asset: Diet

Odds: 2/1

 

AFL-X Game Format and the Draw

With about 80 players planned to attend, December 8 should be a bit of fun to close out a highly successful season for the Vietnam Swans. Expect close games, a few rivalries and perhaps even some last minute team switches?

AFLX Hanoi Changed Jumpers

The draw for the day will be:

AFL-X Hanoi Tournament Draw

Games will be two 10-minute halves (or thereabouts), with a short break in between.

Players should be at the ground at 9am for a prompt 10am start! Good luck!

Presentation Night at Turtle Lake Brewing Company

Don’t forget, the Presentation night will follow AFLX Hanoi. See you there from 7pm.