Here we go! It is time for the first blockbuster of the season to be played at Thanh Long Sports Center, Binh Chanh, kick off at 1:00pm.

VIETNAM SWANS VS MALAYSIAN WARRIORS.

Huge first international game of the season for the two teams both wanting to take a step further this season 2024.

The Vietnam Swans in 2023 finished up 3rd place in Div 1 at the Asian champs, won the ICC tournament going unbeaten on our own deck and also losing just one of their internationals through out the busy season before Champs.

While the Malaysian Warriors were the eventual winners of Div 2 at Asian champs beating the hosts and fellow table toppers Thailand 13-9 in the final after having a great tournament winning all games.

They also made the trip to Vietnam for the ICC tournament albeit with limited numbers but still mustered up 2 wins during the day against The Laos Elephants with their second game being played in Monsoon like conditions.

Earlier in the day at ICC these two massive nations came head to head when the Swans were able to put together some great footy against a makeshift Warriors team and winning 49-14 en route to a flawless day on home soil.

The Swans will look a little bit different this year with some big guns missing the season opener with gun and 2 time all asian Rusty heading back home to Aus. This week we will also be missing key defender Matty B and swan great Jake Norris in the midfield.

Luckily we have plenty young guns, old heads and plenty irish blood who will want to show we have the pedigree to again challenge the top teams in Asia and hopefully take home the well over due flag.

Game Shapers

Jono- Best and fairest winner 2023 and Asia’s best ruckman is looking better than ever this year after finding himself in Japan, crushing it in our new sponsored gym, le cao LAB and dominating in our local SAFL league through the midfield and adding damage to the scoreboard, a guarantee for points at the end of the day.

Tish- Our players player of the year award went to the Tash Ryan Tishler, another all Asian in our ranks has taken on even more in the midfield this season with the absence of our two time best and fairest Rusty. Its look like Tish is more than capable of being the dominant midfielder every game

Cam King- And our big man up front. Newly engaged Cam King in our last few SAFL games there is only one man to keep an eye on in the first quarters of games scoring a healthy 7 goals in the opening 2 quarters of the last 2 games. A man who is definitely going to be up and about after last weekends big proposal.

Where? When? What?

Where?
Thanh Long Sports Center, Binh Chanh (where we played Indo China Cup in November).

When?
Be there for 12:00pm to set up ground, warm up, decide positions and get yourself ready for a 12:30 – 1pm start.

What?
Make sure you have told a manager or captain you are coming so that you can be added to the starting line up before the day. Bring with you sunscreen, water, hat, Swans guernesy, black shorts, boots, money for parking and possible beers after. And also if you haven’t paid for membership (2.5mil) bring that along also and can be given to Will Sandman.

Post game events

There will be post game drinks and food later that evening back at our sponsor Al frescos in district 2 (92 Xuân Thủy, Thảo Điền, Thủ Đức, Thành pho) starting at 6:30pm. For 600k you’ll have a free flow for 3 hours and a buffet dinner with the Malaysian warriors for a reminice of the big game.

Stay tuned to our social media for score updates followed by end results and a brief of the weekend early next week. HONK!