Dave Kainey is the Flyer!

The Flyer asks for five minutes of Ross McRae’s time to discuss those amazing posters and banners that he designs as well as the upcoming Asian Championships which will be Ross’ first international tour with the Swannies.

1. Ross, I trust your inaugural tour to the Asian Championships with the Swannies will be a belter. How did you become involved with such a group?

I first got involved with the Swans when I was invited by Shannon Leahy to training back in August 2009. Back then it was only for a bit of a fitness. What really got me involved more with the ‘wedge’ of Swans was at the 09 Grand Final and the social aspect that a good football club is about. That harks back to the days when I was growing up in country Victoria being a part of the Willaura Saints.

The Ross McRae Scanlons footy card.

2. Ross, you have been instrumental in showcasing the Vietnam Swans Games with your banners, clearly leading this region in Asian Football, what are the challenges?

At the beginning it was just about getting the Vietnam Swans on par with AFL teams in terms of mascots, team posters and banners. The toughest thing now is to come up with something new and original while pleasing all the Swans who are spread out through Vietnam, from Saigon, Vung Tau, Hanoi and Hoi An.

3. When was the last time you put on a pair of footy boots? What colour were they?

Apart from the training for the Champs, the last time was the 2010 Indo-China Cup. It was a great day to be a part of and doing as much as I could to be part of the team. Sadly I missed this years ANZAC Friendship Match but I had my older (more talented) brother, Heath stand in for me. The boots are black. These I actually bought in Germany, as a good pair of Adidas should be. I still can’t kick straight.

4. Fabbo has often remarked that you are like the (cartoonist) Ron Tandberg of the Swannies. You listen to days of drivel and then draw a snapshot and ask, “Is that all you’re trying to say?” Your thoughts?

Yeah, that’s pretty much it. The Swannies love to talk about anything, sitting around at the Tavern after a training session and there’s a lot of pratting. So I sit back and take it in; wade through the waffle; smirk at the comical; shiver at the nauseating. I need to be able to deliver the main core of the ideas and do it better, not just for the Swans but also for our sponsors.

5. When did you first realise that you had an innate skill to understand the core issues (eg the Swannies logo) and also had an ability to understand sensitivities (eg ANZAC Friendship Match) and then weave a solution?

Working alongside the Platinum Fox (Mr Phil Johns), really helped give the direction. ‘A picture says a thousand words’ and Fabbo has about 10,000 words in him on one subject. The ANZAC Friendship logo had some changes, and the final piece was more to do with Fabbo’s suggestions as he was looking for long term use. The Swans logo was tough, I think I had about 40 variations of the logo in the end, which equaled the amount of clients giving input. I really just do as best as I can with my limited ability, on and off the field.

Ross, enjoy the tour and thanks for taking the time to spend ‘5 minutes with The Flyer’.

Thanks Kainey, I’ve been looking forward to the Champs since the start of the year. Will be my first ever International tour and will be looking forward to be playing alongside legends of the Swannies, including ‘The ‘Flyer‘.

• To see Ross’ banner for the 2011 Asian Champs, click here.
• If you would like to use Ross’ graphic design services, please contact the Vietnam Swans.