Our Saigon Prez, Sammy Conroy, will play his last game for the Swannies this weekend as a resident of Vietnam. Photo, Mark Stennett Photography.
The Swannies’ favourite sporting columnist, Dave O’Shea from Binh Duong is back in the saddle – this time with a monster preview of Saturday’s Asian Champs in Pattaya, Thailand. In Part I, Dave looks at the Swannies defence and midfield.
Just as the Olympic Games are coming to a close in London, another massive sporting event is about to begin in Pattaya, Thailand. The best Aussie Rules Football players in Asia will come together this weekend and battle it out to be declared Asia’s number 1 Aussie Rules Nation.
The Swans will head to Thailand with their strongest team of the year since the ANZAC Friendship Match clash where they were victorious over the China Reds. The best players in Hanoi and Saigon will come together and form one strong squad of more than 30 players. With sweltering heat expected in Pattaya and a grueling schedule where the Swans will be required to play a minimum of four and a maximum of six games, every one of these players will need to be at their best.
THE TEAM
Defenders
The Swans have always been strong in defence and this year is no exception!
Trav Fallon will be relied upon heavliy at fullback. He has a very accurate kick and will be looking to hit his targets from deep in defence.
The Swannies are lucky enough to have one of the greatest shinboners of all time in Nat Payne. Nat reads the game very well and is a great rebound defender.
Look out for some big hits from Phil Ghasseb. Phil will pick up one of the opposition’s best forwards and is a key defender for the Swannies.
Phil Jordan is another key player for the Swannies. Phil can be used anywhere on the field and will get the job done wherever he is played (Ed’s note: Phil was left unsupervised on the trampoline last Sunday and a subsequent mishap required 20 stitches. Will not play.)
Glenn Archer may be the Shinboner of the Century; but the Swannies’ Natty Payne is “one of the greatest shinboners of all time”. What a hoot! Photo, Mark Stennett Photography.
Heater Ellis is one of the Swannies most experienced players. Like the great shinboner (Nat), Heater also reads the game very well and will look for some devastating runs from the half back line.
This will be the last Asian Champs for Saigon President Sam Conroy. Sam has been great for the Swannies and will be looking to go out in style. A solid defender who always shuts down his opposing player.
Irish convert, Brian, will be looking to continue his strong play. He has been brilliant in the Saigon scratch matches and will continue his brilliant play against Asia’s best.
John McFarlane has found his position as a defender for the Swannies. He has the ability to stop any forward and will lay some strong tackles throughout the day.
After some hard training, Kurt is a player who will be looking forward to putting in a big performance for the Swannies.
Midfielders
The Swannies will have the same midfield that was dominant against the China Reds during the ANZAC clash. They will once again be looking to exert their dominance over the rest of Asia.
The captain of the Swans, Dukesy is a big game player and was awarded the best player of the tournament in last year’s Indochina Cup. Dukesy will give the Swans plenty of run through the middle and will be hitting targets all day in the forward line.
Ado, the Hanoi captain will be fast and ferocious at the ball all day. Look out for some huge marks and some accurate kicking from Ado.
Nathan Milner is a late inclusion for the Swannies and is another midfield gun. Nathan is a fast and fit player and has been one of the Swannies best players in the Saigon scratch matches.
Qui Le is also a late inclusion and is still on a high after winning the Rick Trewavis medal for the most courageous player for the Swans against Cambodia three weekends ago. Qui will be looking to continue his great form.
I will team up in the middle with these boys and am looking forward to playing with these guns.
In Part II, Dave will look at the Swannies rucks, forwards and injuries list. Also, in a celebration of Gus’ return to the Swannies, Dave will run another lookalike competition. Don’t miss that one.
