Damo, right, at the Swannies' Grand Final Party in Saigon, tells Mr Pow-ell he's livin' the dream.

Damo Judd, member of the Coaching Panel and Gun Swannies’ Player, prepares the match report of last Tuesday’s game against the Royal Australian Navy.

When the troops arrived for kickoff on Tuesday at 5.00pm, spirits were high but the clouds were grey.  It actually made a nice change as it was neither hot nor wet… To add to the atmosphere, we were the first boots allowed on the resurfaced RMIT oval, which kinda felt like making tracks on virgin snow.

“5.00pm kickoff sharp”, was the message on the President’s email. Be there!!!! He obviously didnt send it to the tour operator that was driving the navy contingent on the battlegrounds tour. Instead of a whistle at the appointed time we heard the tinny electronic beeping of a mobile phone announcing that the entire  Navy A team, with all their access to big guns, had been kidnapped  by a little, frail Vietnamese bus driver who just wanted to make a few extra stops. Fortunately, navy boats can carry more prople than a tour bus and with 6 of our Swannies changing colours, a decent opposition was rounded up and the game went on.

The Swans dominated in the first half. Goals were shared evenly with Nick Moger, Damo, Tim and Shagger. We were nicely fed by our new star enginehouse, Dan. on the ball.

Second half, I’m not sure what happened. I think Al Fresco’s turned on the bbq as the ball kept sneaking up the end where the smell was coming from which was unfortunately the Navy’s goal end.

The BBQ was not totally responsible as there was nice work by Rich “Mighty”. Rich is normally stuck somewhere in the back pocket for the Swannies but he told the Navy he was a star forward. The power of suggestion was amazing as I saw Mighty get past our superstar, All Asian, back line to put one through!

Horn and myself had the ball stolen out of our fingers by a  “girl” which was a little humiliating for a blokey bloke… but she really can play!!!

Our boys held on strongly staying in front with the final score reading 8. 6. 59 to the Navy’s 6. 3. 39.

Thanks to our BOG, “Heath”, who thought he was a Harlem Globe Trotter as he was seen juggling the ball behind his back on at least two occasions.

The wrap up was a bit special with candles lit to pay tribute to three recent tragedies.