The photo of the Swannies seen last week on CNN television. Courtesy, Jim Heston.

It all started last week when Swannies’ skipper, Luke “Dukes” Creamer walked into the classroom of the school he teaches at (incidentally, unlike the Amazing Australian International School, Dukes’ school does not sponsor the Swannies). Dukes explains:

“I arrived at school this morning and this Pom tells me he was watching CNN. They were doing a segment on photography around the world and showcased a number of photographers. CNN then profiled a photographer from Cambodia who took some shots of Aussie Rules in Cambodia. Lo and behold, who featured but none other than the Swannies and the Cambodian Eagles. And then, who was in the pic? None other than the Shinboner himself (Natty Payne). Luckily they got a front on shot of him as a side on shot is impossible to get of the long man!”

The Swannies then followed up with the man who took the actual photograph, Joe Garrison (click to view Joe’s website), assuming the story must have been about him. Joe replied:

“Nope, that would be a good friend of mine, Jim Heston. He’s getting a kick out of doing the iReporter thing with CNN, and did one on the Cambodian Eagles.”

Another photo from the CNN iReport. This one includes current Swannie, Symmo (sitting on his backside) who was playing for Malaysia previously.

CNN’s iReport producer, Sarah Brown writes on the CNN website,

“Jim captured these action shots of expatriates in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, playing ‘Aussie rules’ football, distinct from regular football. The event has become a way for locals and expatriates from countries such as the US, UK and Australia to socialise over sports and food. ‘Aussie rules is a fast paced game and the participants were very competitive,’ our iReporter said. ‘I couldn’t have imagined being on the field as it is hot in Phnom Penh. Our temperatures are usually in the upper 80s to mid 90s and you can break a sweat just standing in the sun.’ ”

Meanwhile, back to the photo of the Shinboner. When made aware of the photo being shown on CNN, he took the opportunity to recollect the moment.

Shinboner: What I see is the Shinboner (happy to talk about myself in the 3rd person for this exercise) and his partner in crime down back, Sammy (Conroy), doing the hard work and the two mids (Dukes and Hewy) waiting to receive. One (Dukes) even has the audacity to throw his arms in the air in disgust. This was probably followed up with some abuse.

Sammy: Based on the ball being long gone, I’m not sure what I was actually up to either.

Shinboner: Not long gone, Sammy. I can whip handballs faster than a cobra can strike (I borrowed that line from Mega Bretta Jotta). You would have been laying a shepherd or block which, I am sure, I would have recognised with a ‘Thank you’ or a ‘Well done, Sammy’.

Dukes: I have heard it all now. Shinboner saying ‘thank you’ to Sammy and accusing ME of giving sprays!

Footnotes:

• For the original story and photos on CNN, click here.
• For more photos of the Cambodian Eagles / Vietnam Swans match in Phnom Penh (March, 2012), which were taken by Joe Garrison, click here.
• For the “Portfolio Gallery for Garrison Photographic”, click here.
• For more articles of the Vietnam Swans that have appeared in the media, both in Vietnam and Australia, click here.