With ICC happening this weekend, let’s rewind to one of the other big highlights on the calendar — the 2025 ANZAC Friendship Match Weekend! What a day it was, as we welcomed the Cambodia Eagles to Saigon for a top-tier footy clash at Thanh Long Sports Centre. Couldn’t make it? Don’t worry — all the match write-ups are here for you to catch up on the action!

ALL STARS vs LEGENDS

The 2025 ANZAC Legends Vs All Stars was played in great spirit & with skill taking into account the age of the majority of participants!  With a mixture of former Swans players, Vietnamese guys making their ANZAC debut & a collection of touring Aussies talked into playing by club legend Kevin Wilkinson at the pub the night before making up both teams.

It was all one way in the first quarter with the All-Stars kicking 4 goals to the Legends 1, the midfield performing strongly for the Legends but unable to cut through the All Stars defense with new Captain Billy “Bang Bang” Crang and the omnipresent (omni-president?) Eric “Give me the Mic” Kerrison marshalling the defense.

In the 2nd quarter the Legends came to life inspired by big James (who went big on Friday night)  with 4 goals of their own to the All-Stars 1 goal from “Mighty Mouse” Minh leaving the All-Stars up by just a solitary point at halftime. 

Half Time Scores:

All-Stars – 5. 3. 33

Legends 5. 2. 32

The 3rd quarter was a tight affair with an arm wrestle through the guts and eventual best on ground Dave “Doss” O’Shea seeing plenty of the ball. Despite this it wound up all square with 2 goals to each side setting the stage for an exciting final quarter.

As everyone in attendance waited with baited breath for a barnstorming finish it just wasn’t to be! The Legends began to succumb to the relentless Saigon sun, not that the All-Stars were faring much better. Tired legs across the ground, the All Stars managed to kick 3 goals to seal the win with the highlight reel moment being a chase down tackle in the forward line by Kevin “Wilko” Wilkinson resulting in holding the ball, from which he of course duly converted icing the game and sealing the win for the All Stars. 

Well done to all involved in the game. Special thanks to the lads on tour (Marcus, Brayden, Jye, Remy & Liam) for joining the ANZAC day footy on short notice, all the guys playing in their first ANZAC game and all the former players who flew in for the game. 

Full time 

All Stars 10.6.66

Legends 7.5.47

Best on Ground: Dave O’Shea

Leading Goalkicker Remy 3

Vietnam Swans vs Cambodia Eagles Men’s

Swannies Honour ANZAC Spirit with Hard-Fought Win Over Cambodia

This ANZAC Day was one for the history books for the Vietnam Swans. While we couldn’t return to where it all started – Lord Mayor’s Oval in Vung Tau – we were proud to host the ANZAC Friendship Match at Thanh Long Sports Center in Ho Chi Minh City for the first time ever. And what a day it was!

At the Vietnam Swans, we know how important ANZAC Day is – not just to Australians, but to everyone who values mateship, courage, and sacrifice. Playing footy on this day means something more, and we were honoured to carry that tradition forward here in Vietnam.

This year we faced off against the Cambodia Eagles, a team we’ve always respected and never take lightly. True to form, they made us earn every bit of the win.

We came out strong early, with Spence lighting it up in the first half, kicking five goals and giving us a solid lead going into the break. The boys were linking up well and making the most of their chances early.

But Cambodia weren’t going down without a fight. They rallied hard in the second half with some fresh legs and turned the match into a real scrap. While we had 26 scoring shots to their 11, some wayward kicking kept things a lot closer than we would’ve liked. In the end, the scoreboard showed a five-goal win – but it felt tighter than that.

There were some great performances across the board. Jaiden and Cam Fowler both made their Swans debuts and didn’t miss a beat. Fitzy was everywhere again, he seems to have the footy on a string lately,  and Cam King was rock solid in defence, clunking marks (instead of double fisters) and cutting off the Eagles attacks all day.

It wasn’t just about the result though. This match was about remembering what ANZAC Day stands for, and it was special to come together with the Eagles and the broader footy community to honour that.

We’re already looking forward to getting back to Vung Tau in the future, but we couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved on the weekend at Thanh Long. Footy, mateship, and a whole lot of heart – that’s what the ANZAC Friendship Match is all about!

We’d like to give a massive thanks to our major sponsors who help make these matches, and this club, what it is. We couldn’t do it without your support.

Now, all eyes turn to our next big challenge: the Indochina Cup, happening May 31st in Rayong, Thailand. It’s a competition we’ve had a lot of success in over the years, and with a quick turnaround, it’s more important than ever that we stick together, for more updates, keep your eyes on the socials!

Final Score: Vietnam Swans def Cambodia Eagles

 8.18 (66) 5. 6 (36)

Best: Spence, Fitzy, Jaiden, Cam Fowler, Cam King

Goals: Spence 5, Warner 2, Ozzy 1

AFLW Match Report – Vietnam Swans vs Cambodia Eagles Men’s

Swans Snatch Thrilling ANZAC Day Victory Over Eagles in Nail-Biting Friendly

The ANZAC Day friendly clash between the Vietnam Swans and the Cambodian Eagles delivered a captivating contest, ultimately seeing the Swans emerge victorious by a single, hard-fought point. While the final scoreline suggests a close encounter, the narrative of the match was one of contrasting halves, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of the Swans.

From the first bounce, the Cambodian Eagles soared, making an immediate impact. Their fast-paced movement, relentless pressure around the ball, and fierce tackling left the Vietnam Swans struggling to find cohesion and make any inroads on the scoreboard. 

The first half painted a picture of an Eagles clinic, with the Swans seemingly unable to unite and stem the tide. In a defiant defensive effort for the Swans, Beth and Lucy worked tirelessly, constantly putting pressure on the Eagles forwards, but the scoreboard remained stubbornly unmoved in their favour. Throughout this challenging period, the women’s new coach, Brendan, maintained continuous positive energy and provided clear coaching from the sidelines.

The half-time break provided a crucial opportunity for the Swans to regroup. The message was clear: focus on moving the ball and gaining territory. The rest clearly did wonders, as the Swans emerged a different side in the second half. Brody and Ev injected much-needed pressure into the midfield, their relentless second efforts and determined ball movement pushing the play forward to Amy, who then demonstrated her accuracy in front of goal.

A palpable shift occurred in the Swans’ demeanor. The mood lifted as the team seamlessly connected, transforming into the efficient football unit they were capable of being. Spearheading this resurgence was Lucy O, the Swans’ ruck and captain for the day, who covered every inch of the ground. Her tireless presence around the ball provided relentless support and inspiration to her teammates.

Throughout the match, Jen provided consistent support across all areas of the field, a reliable presence in both attack and defense. A special mention must go to Jade, who, in her debut game, displayed remarkable composure and strength, particularly in the backline. And in the crucial final minutes, Bri played a pivotal role in securing the narrow victory.

While the second half belonged to the Swans, the Eagles continued to fight valiantly. The seesawing momentum made for a tense and exciting finish, with the Swans ultimately clinching a thrilling one-point victory.

Despite the contrasting halves, the ANZAC Day friendly was a testament to the spirit and determination of both the Vietnam Swans and the Cambodian Eagles. It was a fantastic effort on the field from both teams, culminating in a brilliant and memorable match that honoured the ANZAC spirit through spirited competition and camaraderie.