After a successful launch of the Hanoi Australian Football League in 2020, the Hanoi based Swannies have decided to take this concept one step further, and join with their great friends at the Viet Celts and form a combined AFL and Gaelic league. 

THE CONCEPT

The Hanoi GAAAFL competition is aimed at inclusion and fun. It is an opportunity to showcase the inclusivity that comes with being a member of both the Viet Celts and Vietnam Swans families, no matter your age, skill level, gender or nationality.

The GAAAFL will comprise:

  • 2 sports, Gaelic Football and Australian Rules Football;
  • 2 leagues, Men’s and women’s;
  • 4 teams, Ba Dinh Buffalos, Cau Giay Crabs, Hoan Kiem Herons and Long Bien Langurs;
  • Alternating games, every 3 to 4 weeks;
  • 7 Trophies:
    • Hanoi Club Champions (combined points across all sports and leagues)
    • Hanoi Gaelic Champion (combined points across Gaelic leagues)
    • Hanoi Men’s and Women’s Gaelic Champions
    • Hanoi AFL Champion (combined points across AFL leagues)
    • Hanoi Men’s and Women’s AFL Champions
  • Gaelic Football
    • 9 aside games
    • 25 minute halves with a 5 minute half time break
  • AFL
    • 9 aside games
    • 12 minute quarters, 3 minute break between quarters and a 5 minute half time break

THE DRAFT

Well it was that time of the year again, players were nervous, captains were scheming and mentors were bluffing, the anticipation of the night was a night didn’t let anybody down, there were tears of joy of new homes found, mixed with tears of sadness of those unceremoniously dumped by their previous teams.

Those responsible for the tears are listed below, due to the new expansion and combination of the two sports, the selection committee grew to 5, for those seeking someone to blame, look no further than those named below:

  • Ba Dinh Buffalos
    • Mentor – Mick Francis
    • AFL Men – Todd Donovan
    • AFL Women – Siara North
    • GAA Men – Ross Earley
    • GAA Women – Elaine Flavin
  • Cau Giay Crabs
    • Mentor – Eric Kerrison
    • AFL Men – James Worland
    • AFL Women – Saskia van den Hoogen
    • GAA Men – Tom Lynch
    • GAA Women – Natasha Coulter
  • Hoan Kiem Herons
    • Mentor – James Phillips
    • AFL Men – Jake Norris
    • AFL Women – Louise ode Bezuidenhout
    • GAA Men – Jason Kane
    • GAA Women – Marah Charnel
  • Long Bien Langurs
    • Mentor – Mark Tierney
    • AFL Men – Luke Philpott
    • AFL Women – Katie Nelson
    • GAA Men – Cian Hickey
    • GAA Women – Maeve Culhane

TENTATIVE 2021 SEASON SCHEDULE

 

THE TEAMS

THE BA DINH BUFFALOS

Surprise mid year recruiting saw this team reach the grand final in 2020. The 2021 selection panel have moved 6 players on as they look to strengthen their current list. They will need to rely heavily on their Irish influence if they are to be any chance in 2021. Looking a lot stronger in the women’s competition than the mens.

Biggest risk: a stray sandwich!

THE CAU GIAY CRABS

This club will again be a force in 2021 after finally shedding the bridesmaid tag in 2020. They may have made some recruitment errors on the side of the women, with 4 of their highly fancied recruits set to depart in June. Both squads are evenly balanced to be extremely competitive across both sports.

Biggest risk: The night before

THE HOAN KIEM HERONS

Always the benchmark, the Herons regularly compete in the big dance at the end of the year, and expect it to be no different in 2021. A very strategic approach to the draft on the night by the leadership team has seen them create a powerhouse across the men and women.

Biggest risk: The hois

THE LONG BIEN LANGURS

The velvet sledgehammer to a very new approach in 2021 to the strategy. After being raging favorites in 2020, they fell short at the last hurdle, so 2021 is their year for retribution. They look very strong all across the teams, they have pace to burn.

Biggest risk: Ego!