HMAS DARWIN in Saigon at the end of September 2009

You will recall that just three days after the 2009 AFL Grand Final, the Vietnam Swans played a match against the crew of HMAS DARWIN in Saigon.

Just as when we played the HMAS ANZAC a year earlier, it was a fantastic day and evening. As a bonus, we even managed our second win against the Navy.

The match was played in great spirit and the teams/crews mixed exceptionally well afterwards. The following evening, half a dozen Vietnam Swans were invited to attend a cocktail party aboard the DARWIN. Drinks followed in the Officers’ Mess. We had a sensational time – and judging by an email received a couple of days ago from the DARWIN’s Arron “Catter” (who was our point of contact on the ship), so did the crew:

It is ports like Saigon that make it all worthwhile. The game of footy was great but the highlight for me was when the two teams went out for the after-match function. It is rare you get all ranks in the one area where everyone is having a genuinely great time. The Captain of the Ship had a ball.

The cocktail party (the following night) was also great fun.

HMAS DARWIN's Arron Convery presents the new Phoenix Perpetual Trophy to Vietnam Swans National President, Phil Johns

In addition, the DARWIN left behind a spent shell, from one of its “big guns”, that has been engraved with the “Phoenix Perpetual Trophy” (the phoenix is on the DARWIN’s crest). The Vietnam Swans will be the custodians of this trophy which will be played for every time the Navy visits Vietnam. The results of the first two matches have already been engraved on this trophy which is currently looking for a home where it can be displayed proudly. More to follow on this one.

For the Vietnam Swans, as a Club in its 6th year, developing a sense of history and tradition is extremely important – and this type of offering from the Navy (which is the master of tradition and symbolism) is absolute gold.

This is a great reward for our players and supporters, current and past, who have so enthusiastically embraced and developed the culture of always creating an event whenever a team visits. It also provides us with a fitting opportunity to recognise and acknowledge the massive contribution to our club culture made by some of the big names that have crafted and passed on the baton before us. The names include the likes of Micky Francis, Jarrod Dale, Dave Kainey, Daryl Taber, Scotty Stacey and a host of others.

Another thing about the Phoenix Trophy is that the Navy will now actively seek us out whenever it has a ship visiting Vietnam. That’s one more match and one more awwwwwwwwwwwwwesome event (that will be “awesome” spelt with 15 w’s).

Special thanks to RMIT University for giving us access to the footy field for the DARWIN match as it would normally have been undergoing annual maintenance at that time.