Dave O’Shea, who is looking forward to the Manila Cup, AFL Masters Match – and then a transfer to the Jakarta Bintangs – previews this weekend’s Mega Blockbuster: the Manila Cup.

Dave O’Shea loves the footy. If he’s not playing, he’s training. If he’s not training, he’s writing about when he will be playing.

In another stunning piece of brilliant journalism, Dave reports below on this weekend’s Mega Manila Cup.

The Vietnam Swans will embark on the Manila Cup for the first time in the year of their 10th anniversary.

The Manila Cup is one of the most prized tournaments in all of Asia and the Swans will be represented with one of their strongest teams on paper since the Indochina Cup last year. The Swans have not won a match in 2013. With losses to Cambodia, Malaysia and Jakarta, the Swans find themselves on the bottom of the EAAFL ladder. They will be hoping to win their first match of the year in Manila.

The Draw was released earlier in the week and the Swans will play Asian heavyweights, the Hong Kong Dragons, in their first game. The Swans will be looking for revenge after the Dragons knocked the Swans out of last year’s semi final of the Asian Championships in Thailand. The Dragons went on to win the tournament and the Swans were relegated to 4^th due to their semi final loss to the strong Hong Kong outfit.

The Swans have also drawn a Barbarians team which will be represented by players from a number of different countries throughout Asia. The other team in the pool is a Philippines team called Alabang. An unknown team but, playing at their home ground in the flip, should be quite strong.

The Swans will need to finish first or second in their pool to make the semi finals. The other pool looks stronger on paper. It also consists of four teams: Malaysia, Philippines, Laos and Singapore.

This will be the last tour for a number of gun Swannies. Captain Dukesy; Ryan ‘Revo’ Evans; Brian ‘Dirty’ Farrell; Nick ‘Moggy’ Moger and Dave ‘great bloke’ O’Shea (Ed’s note: written and authorised by Dave O’Shea) all will be bidding farewell soon after this event. All five of these guys have been absolutely awesome for the Swans, both on and off the field. Some of their accolades and achievements are below.

Dukesy is a 3 time Swannies’ best and fairest winner, 3 time All Asia representative, 3 times winning captain at the Indochina Cup, Best player at the Indochina Cup 2011.

Revo was BOG in last year’s ANZAC Friendship Match against the China Reds. He was also a member of the last two winning Indochina Cup teams. Also responsible for the writing of the Swannies Team Song which we will be hoping to sing aloud in Manila.

Irish and Gaelic convert, Dirty Brian was awarded the Swannies’ Most Improved Player in 2012. He was also a member of the 2012 winning Indochina Cup team. Dirty Brian has now established himself as one of the Swannies most valuable players for his ferocious attack on the ball and hard tackling.

Moggy was a member of the 2011-12 winning Indochina Cup team. He also played in this year’s ANZAC Friendship Match. He can always be relied upon to kick goals. Off the field he looks after ‘The Horn’ when ‘The Horn’ gets too drunk to look after himself.

Dave O’Shea has been part of the 2011-12 winning Indochina Cup Team. He was also a member of the previous two ANZAC Friendship clashes. He is mega pumped for Manila. Don’t worry about that!!!

All five of these legends will be missed hugely by the club. In saying that, there are a number of superstar youngsters coming through. Both Joshes will be looking for big tournaments. These guys are fit and are the future of the Swans.

Speaking of the future, Billy Crang was announced as the future captain last week. He will be pumped to show the fans and younger players just how valuable he is for the Swans.

The Swannies will unleash superstar brothers Sean and Nathan Milner. These brothers make AFL brothers the Shaws look talentless, the McVeighs unskillful and the Selwoods soft.

Some of the old stalwarts of the club in Phil G, Travy and Powelly have signed up and are all super excited for this event. They will no doubt be putting in every effort to send their mates out as winners.

As well as youngsters, veterans, future captains, brothers and departees the Swannies will also welcome back a couple of Club legends in Matty Nat and Timmay! These boys can play and will be looking to show the Swannies fans just what they have been missing.

And we also have a super new recruit in Trent Davies. He flys into Saigon today from Adelaide for a stint in Vietnam. Tomorrow he flys out with the team for the Manila Cup. Welcome to the Swannies, Trenter!!

Coach Andy has been working the boys harder than ever at training the last few months. He told reporters recently that the players are fitter than ever and this should come in handy with the smaller numbers and big ground in Manila. He went on to say that our game plan will be to run, run and run some more…

This is a tournament that the Swans players are absolutely pumped for. This one’s not just for the departing members, this is for the whole Swans’ community.

CARN THE SWANNIES!!!!

Hot off the Press: Legendary Vietnam umpire ‘Rocket’ has just signed up for the tour. He will be wearing the green vest and come on late in matches as a Super Sub. This guy can do it all!!!!

Tourers: Luke “Dukesy” Creamer, Andy Glendinning, Dave O’Shea, Bill Crang, Ryan “Revo” Evans, Kyle Hackenberg, Paul “Mr Powell” Koch, Sean Milner, Nathan Milner, Phil Ghasseb, Tra Vy Fallon,  Josh Lee, Josh “Newer” Daly, Brian Farrell, Nick “Moggy” Moger, Matty Natalotto and Trent Davies.