Parents, Cecilia and Dung, talk about their Vietnamese/Australian son, James Tran, who is a rookie for Collingwood's VFL side.

Last Saturday, during half time at the Vietnam Swans’ AFL Grand Final Party in Saigon, the Swannies were lucky enough to be able to interview Dung and Cecilia Tran.

Their son, James Tran, lives in Melbourne – and just happens to be a rookie for Collingwood’s VFL team!

It is believed that James is the first player of Vietnamese origin to play at such a high level in Aussie Rules.

Vietnam Swans’ National President, Phil Johns, interviewed the very proud parents during the half time break of the big game.

Apparently James, aged 21, is a gifted sportsman. As well as being an accomplished footballer he’s also very skilled at rugby and cricket where he plays for Richmond.

This shouldn’t really be a surprise. His father, Dung, was rewarded for his sporting prowess and contributions by becoming the first Vietnamese in Australia to carry the Olympic Torch. The occasion was the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

James Tran, Collingwood rookie.

So why did James decide to focus on football in preference to cricket or rugby? Mum replied with something to the effect that James thought he looked “hot” in his footy gear!

According to Collingwood’s website, James carries No. 71, was born on the 23rd of March 1990; is 179cm tall and weighs 80kg.

Cecilia and Dung say that James just loves being a part of, arguably, Australia’s most famous sporting club. They also say that there is an outside chance that he will visit Vietnam prior to the commencement of the 2012 season.

The Vietnam Swans would very much welcome a chance to meet James over here in Saigon and Hanoi. How good would it be to have James at a training session – or have him take the field in a Swannies top??

Thank you very much to Cecilia and Dung for being such an important part of the Vietnam Swans’ 2011 AFL Grand Final Party at the Boomarang Bistro Saigon.

And, as for James, will he make Collingwood’s seniors’ team next year? We’ll all have to watch this space.

Related item

Neil Mitchell’s interviewed former Collingwood coach, Mick Malthouse, on Monday – just two days after the 2011 Grand Final loss and his last game. to listen to Mick reflecting on his career, click here.