“Put up your hand if you love quoting Billy Shakespeare.” Dave O’Shea controversially opens this Grand Final Preview by quoting Billy Shakespeare.
Dave O’Shea, Chief Sporting Columnist for the Vietnam Swans’ website, for what seems like a really long time condensed into a really short time, finishes off a brilliant season of prose with an unbelievable preview of Saigon’s 2012 Grand Final between the Reds and Whites.
Dave, arguably, one of the greatest writers of the 21st Century, kicks off this incredible footy preview by controversially quoting one of the greatest playwrights of all time, Billy Shakespeare (no relation to Swannie, Billy Cranger).
With this, we charged again: but, out, alas!
We bodged again; as I have seen a swan
With bootless labour swim against the tide
And spend her strength with over-matching waves.
William (Billy) Shakespeare
According to Billy Shakespeare’s poem above, he has seen a swan swim against the tide. Well, if he was watching the Vietnam Swans this year he would have seen a Swan swim with the tide.
It’s been a great year for the Swans both on and off the field. The Vung Tau Boot Camp run by Matty Smashalotto; beating China in the ANZAC Friendship Match clash; finishing a tight 4th at the Asian Champs; smashing the competition at the Indochina Cup, starring on Vietnamese Television Shows in Hanoi and Saigon – as well as Harry – here I am – Hodge in some top Vietnamese drama, and celebrating some mega awesome Grand Final Parties at the tick-tick Boomarang and Intercon (in Hanoi) have been just a few of the many highlights of the year.
But ladies and gentleman, just when you thought the year was over, more Swannies’ Awesomeness pops up. This Saturday, bitter rivals, the Saigon Reds and Saigon Whites will meet at Thu Duc in our own Grand Final blockbuster. The Mighty Whites lead the series 5 – 2 but all scores will be wiped clean for this duel between the two very exciting Saigon teams.
In what has been a great year for the Whites, they will be looking for one last effort to really stamp their authority over the two Saigon team competition. The Reds, on the other hand, will be looking for redemption after clearly being outplayed all season.
The Shinboner of Reason, Natty Payne, will, for one last time, show poise for the boys in his farewell match. No wonder no place is Thu Far to come from on Saturday to say, “I was there.”
Quote of the Week
“The only time available at Thu Duc this Saturday is from 3-5pm as they are rolling the field in preparation for the biggest event in Thu Duc’s history. It will mean there will be more time for all the fans to get through the traffic jams and get to the game, I’m expecting it to be a sell out!”
– Vietnam Swans and Saigon Whites’ Skipper, Luke “Dukes” Creamer who has booked the venue at Thu Duc. Dukes unnecessarily adds that “Thu Duc is never Thu Far for an MSF (Mega Swannies’ Function)”.
Where it will be won
The battle of the ruck will be crucial in the match. Big Lukey Miller has been dominant in the ruck and has been able to tap the ball wherever his midfield has asked for it. The Whites will be looking for a similar display from big Luke in the final, whereas the Reds will be looking to find a way to stop his dominance at the centre bounce.
The injury toll from both teams must be adding up. It has been a grueling season for the Swannies and only three weeks after the Indochina Cup, there will surely be some sore and wounded bodies from both teams.
The back line of the Whites’ team has been solid all season. The Reds will need to find a way past the likes of Travy, Phil G and Heater to have any chance of winning the match.
Nat Payne thought he had retired after the Indochina Cup, but like John Farnham, he will be having another farewell gig. If John Farnham is “The voice of reason”; Nat Payne is “The Shinboner of Reason”.
