The Vietnam Swans 2021 ANZAC Friendship Match Record Despite Covid 19 preventing international games we're launching the Vietnam Football League with 8 teams from Hanoi and Saigon.

3. 1
3 - Vietnam Swans President's Welcome - Eric Kerrison
5 - Schedule
7 - Sunday - ANZAC Day
8 - 2021 Vietnam Swans Sponsors
9 - AFL in Tieng Viet
10 - Launch of the GAAAFL in Hanoi
14 - Launch of the SAFL
16 - Launch of the VFL
18 - VFL Teams
27 - The Vung Tau Veterans and Friends Children's Fund
28 - History of the VFL
33 - ANZAC Day - AFL Brings Mateship to Vietnam
36 - 1
1+1 - Players Account of 12 Years of Swans ANZAC Day Games
40 - The Swans Thems Song - Sing It LOUD!
41 - Marah Charnel - Discovering AFL
43 - ANZAC Day FAQs
The Vietnam Swans proudly
support the Vung Tau Center
for Children's Protection and
several other worthy causes
across this weekend and throughout the
year. To find out how you could help us
contribute contact the Swans.
CONTRIBUTORS
Zoe Osborne, Stan Middleton, Ailsa & Ron Vernon, Warren Williams, Eric Kerrison, James Bairstow, Jason
Kane, Marah Charnel, Bill Crang
Contents
Design by Phong Giang

5. 3
Swans President's Welcome
It is normally at this time, that I am welcoming the visiting team and their club stalwarts, however, as we are all well
aware by now, the world has been rocked by COVID over the last 12 to 18 months, so today is all about internal
inclusion and growth.
That being said, this weekend is a very exciting time for the club, whilst we will not be competing against an
international opponent, we will be relaunching the Vietnam Football League. A league which was started back in
1966 by some very good friends of the Vietnam Swans, some who regularly return to this beautiful country around
this time, to support the community and the club. Unfortunately, this will not be the case in 2021, but we will enjoy
the day as we think of them.
I encourage you all to enjoy the day, the weekend and take a moment to think of all of our Swannies and extended
families, near and far who have or are still facing some very difficult and uncertain times.
ERIC KERRISON
Pres
KEEP HONKING
Welcome to the wonderful city of Vung Tau. As
club President I am delighted that we are able to
be able to come back and immerse ourselves as a
club into the community.
KERRO
KERRO
PRESIDENT - VIETNAM
SWANS AFL FOOTBALL CLUB

7. 5
Schedule
MIDDLETON ADDRESS DELIVERED BY JOHN SUIKER - John served with 4th Battalion the Royal
Australian Regiment(RAR) during 1968 and was wounded in action(WIA). After returning home to
Australia he undertook university studies and obtained a degree which allowed him to work for the
National Parks and Wildlife in North Queensland (Flora). For many years he grew tropical fruits at his
farm near Tully.
John returned back to Vietnam in 2009 where he has run a small business and is married to Hau. John
consistently tells of how lucky he is to be back in this country.
8:15 AM
Start What
8:55 AM
1:10 PM
10:40 AM
12:00 PM
2:10 PM
12:45 PM
3:10 PM
9:40 AM
1:45 PM
12:15 PM
2:45 PM
8:55 AM
Finish Format
9:35 AM
1:35 PM
12:00 PM
12:15 PM
2:35 PM
1:10 PM
3:35 PM
10:35 AM
2:10 PM
12:45 PM
3:10 PM
Camogie Exhibition Game 2 x 15 Minute Halves
Hurling Exhibition Game 2 x 15 Minute Halves
Herons/Tigers v Langurs/Vipers Vietnam League AFL - 2 x 10 Minute Halves
Women’s AFL Game 4 x 10 Minute Quarters
Crabs/Crocs v Langurs/Vipers Vietnam League AFL - 2 x 10 Minute Halves
Men’s game 4 x 15 Minute Quarters, teams selected by Tom/Kerro
Anthems The Ode, Last Post, Anthems and Welcome Speeches
Herons/Tigers v Bears/Buffalos Vietnam League AFL - 2 x 10 Minute Halves
Auskick All kids welcome - basic AFL Skills
Crabs/Crocs v Herons/Tigers Vietnam League AFL - 2 x 10 Minute Halves
Crabs/Crocs v Bears/Buffalos Vietnam League AFL - 2 x 10 Minute Halves
Bears/Buffalos v Langurs/Vipers Vietnam League AFL - 2 x 10 Minute Halves

9. 7
Sunday itinerary
Vung Tau is home to a strong contingent of Aussies some of whom are also Vietnam war veterans.
The community have built incredible ties to the local community and modern day Vietnam where
we’re all so fortunate to live. This year given sensitivities around Covid a low key yet powerful
ANZAC Day has been planned allowing us all to pay respects and come together to celebrate the
significance of the sacrifice so many have made in the name of their country.
THE DAY WILL INCLUDE:
5:20am - Sunrise - Meet at the end of Phan Chu Trinh Street Back Beach to watch the sun rise
over a few drinks (BYO drinks).
7:00am - Breakfast at Bellys's Watering Hole
10:00am - Downunder Bar there will be a service at 1
1am
12noon - Billabong Bar for lunch. 200,000 vnd for lunch including 1 free beer but TICKETS
ARE ESSENTIAL - contact us to book if you plan to join before heading to Vung Tau!!! Essendon vs
Collingwood game showing from 12:20pm.
We’re encouraging all Swans to join the Vung Tau Aussie community in paying our respects,
please wear you Swans polo shirts.
ANZAC DAY IN VUNG TAU 2021
SUNDAY 25TH APRIL

10. 8
2021 Sponsors

11. 9
Welcome To AFL
Nguyen Dinh Anh carving up the Malaysian Warriors recently at RMIT Saigon. Fittingly
streaming past the P2G Travel sponsors banner - the Vietnam Swans Local Development
Sponsor. Thanks Timmy!

12. 10
Launch of the GAAAFL in Hanoi
The Hanoi League started its life as an end of
season AFLX tournament / celebration for the
Vietnam Swans. In 2018 it was decided to host
a combined presentation night, which was a
change in tradition to the split city (Hanoi/HCM)
presentation nights previously held. In 2020 with
travel becoming impossible and training numbers
exploding we the Hanoi Australian Football
League was launched with 4 of the franchises from
the original AFLX tournament continuing as fully
fledged teams throughout the season.
Following a successful first season of the Hanoi Australian Football League, 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 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.
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:
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:
Gaelic Football
AFL
9 aside games
25 minute halves with a 5 minute half time break
9 aside games
12 minute quarters, 3 minute break between quarters and a 5 minute half time break
THE CONCEPT
THE DRAFT
The GAAAFL will comprise:
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
THE LAUNCH OF THE GAAAFL
THE LAUNCH OF THE GAAAFL

13. 11
Launch of the GAAAFL in Hanoi
Ba Dinh Buffalos Cau Giay Crabs
Mentor – Mick Francis
AFL Men – Todd Donovan
AFL Women – Siara North
GAA Men – Ross Earley
GAA Women – Elaine Flavin
Mentor – Eric Kerrison
AFL Men – James Worland
AFL Women – Saskia van den Hoogen
GAA Men – Tom Lynch
GAA Women – Natasha Coulter
The Buffs enter this year as a real dark horse. With a
solid mix of youth and experience, who knows how far
they can go in 2021? With questions about leadership
in 2020, the appointment of Siara “The Boss” North,
Ross “All Day and All Night” Earley and Elaine “The
Poet” Flavin will surely be able to provide ample support
to Todd “Bigger and Bolder” Donovan. Hopefully Mick
can now have some solid foundations for success.
After the departure of some long term Buffalo's, the
strategic culling of the mentor’s own daughter and the
addition of some very classy players, it’s clear that
they’re all business as they try to go one step further and
finally get the Buffs a flag in 2021.
Fiercely competitive, and successful in 2020, The Crabs
will look to have the same itch again. Led by the baldest
man in Hanoi, James “hows ma rig” Worland, no doubt
they will be confident in their abilities this year. Their
has been some additional leadership support added
this year with the real Tom Lynch and Natasha Coulter
joining the Dutch prancer in the ranks.
Their recruiting has left a little to be desired after they lost
the co-founder to the Buffalos.Defending their success is
the aim this year and they will definitely have a fighting
chance to repeat their 2020 success.As reigning HAFL
champs there will be a target on their backs to be the
ones to beat.

14. 12
Launch of the GAAAFL in Hanoi
Long Bien Langurs
Mentor – Mark Tierney
AFL Men – Luke Philpott
AFL Women – Katie Nelson
GAA Men – Cian Hickey
GAA Women – Maeve Culhane
With the pre-season “Oisin-gate” controversy now
behind them, living up to the hype will be the biggest
challenge the Long Bien Langurs face this year.
Boasting a star-studded men’s list led by Luke Phillpot, a
man who’s arm hair is only rivalled by a real-life langur,
they will be confident going into every game this year.
Conor “Chewbacca” McDonagh, Paul “Not my shout”
Villanova and Mikey “Mr Friday night” Barrett will be
leading the charge behind Potts and Mark Tierney, who
despite his age remains the best looking Langur by a
country mile.
On the women’s side there are a number of new faces
joining club stalwarts Katie “white line fever” Nelson,
Nani “Plugger” Malawan and Phuong “wrecking ball”
Nguyen who will be keen to make an impact on the
competition.
Will the Langurs live up to the hype and bring the 2021
trophy over the river? Only time will tell...
Hoan Kiem Herons
Mentor – James Phillips
AFL Men – Jake Norris
AFL Women – Louise ode Bezuidenhout
GAA Men – Jason Kane
GAA Women – Marah Charnel
The Hoan Kiem Herons will be quietly confident that
they can continue to make noise in the HAFL this season
and find themselves back into the business end of finals.
With a well-balanced squad of experienced old farts
and youthful new recruits, will this be the year they
return to the Promised Land and lift the cup – or will their
gigantic egos once again weigh them down on the road
to disappointment? Carrying the hopes and dreams of
the entire Old Quarter, they’re sure to be unbearable as
per usual and will likely maintain their stranglehold on
being the leagues most hated team.

15. 13
Launch of the GAAAFL in Hanoi
TENTATIVE 2021 SEASON SCHEDULE
TENTATIVE 2021 SEASON SCHEDULE
8 May
16 October POSSIBLE FINALS WEEKEND AND END OF YEAR AWARDS
Date 10:00 12:00
29 May
10 July
21 August
19 June
31 July
1
1 September POSSIBLE SEMI FINALS WEEKEND
GAME TIMES (TEAM IN BRACKETS ARE OFFICIATING AND SET UP/PACKUP)
1
Rnd 1
1:00 1:00
2
4
6
3
5
Buffalos v Crabs
GAAW (Langurs)
Buffalos v Herons
AFL (Crabs)
Crabs v Herons
GAAW (Langurs)
Herons v Langurs
AFL (Crabs)
Crabs v Langurs
GAAW (Buffalos)
Buffalos v Langurs
AFL (Herons)
Buffalos v Crabs
GAA (Langurs)
Buffalos v Herons
AFL (Crabs)
Crabs v Herons
GAA (Langurs)
Herons v Langurs
AFLW (Crabs)
Crabs v Langurs
GAA (Buffalos)
Buffalos v Langurs
AFLW (Herons)
Herons v Langurs
GAAW (Buffalos)
Crabs v Langurs
AFL (Herons)
Buffalos v Langurs
GAAW (Crabs)
Buffalos v Crabs
AFL (Herons)
Buffalos v Herons
GAAW (Langurs)
Crabs v Herons
AFL (Buffalos)
Herons v Langurs
GAA (Buffalos)
Crabs v Langurs
AFLW (Herons)
Buffalos v Langurs
GAA (Crabs)
Buffalos v Crabs
AFLW (Herons)
Buffalos v Herons
GAA (Langurs)
Crabs v Herons
AFLW (Buffalos)

16. 14
Launch of the SAFL
With travel still a pipe dream the Swans are looking to grow internal opportunities to play competitive
football. 2020 saw the launch of the Hanoi Australian Football League (HAFL) and now 2021 sees the
birth of the Saigon Australian Football League (SAFL). Saigon has seen several leagues over the year with
the infamous Reds vs Whites series of the mid 20-teens seeing some spiteful Thu Duc grudge matches much
to the dismay of then Club Treasurer and Moral Compass Rowan Luke! Then came the end of year mixed
leagues with up to 70 players from the Swans and Saigon Gaels taking to the field over several weeks at
RMIT to close out a few seasons. In recent years the Saigon Cup has been played twice and the franchises
from that tournament will form the new league with the addition of the Vung Tau Vipers.
THE LAUNCH OF THE SAFL
THE LAUNCH OF THE SAFL
Saigon Australian Football League
The Saigon AFL (SAFL) competition is aimed at inclusion
and fun. It is an opportunity to play AFL and enjoy being
part of the Vietnam Swans families, no matter your age,
skill level, gender or nationality.
Australian Rules Football
Mixed League – Men’s and Women’s players
4 teams, Ben Than Bears, Crocs, Thu Thiem Tigers and
Vung Tau Vipers
The competition will play for the Saigon Cup which
has been contested twice before in a single day
tournament format
THE CONCEPT
The SAFL will comprise:

17. 15
Launch of the SAFL
TENTATIVE SEASON SCHEDULE
TENTATIVE SEASON SCHEDULE
Date
ROUND 1
ROUND 2
24/4
1/5
10/7
29/5
31/7
19/6
21/8
11/9
25/9
Details
Anzac Day
Game 1
Game 4
Game 2
Game 5
Game 3
Game 6
SAFL Finals
AFL Grand Final Day
Teams
VFL Combined
Crocs v Bears
Crocs v Bears
Bears v Tigers
Bears v Tigers
Crocs v Vipers
Crocs v Vipers
3 v 4
Tigers v Vipers
Tigers v Vipers
Crocs v Vipers
Crocs v Vipers
Bears v Tigers
Bears v Tigers
GF - 1 v 2

18. 16
Launch of the VFL
Australian Rules Football was played in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, with the first known match
played in May 1966 at Nui Dat between members of the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
A fully-fledged competition with premierships was conducted in 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 & 1971 in Vung
Tau on the same field we’re playing today!
The base was closed down six years later in March ’72 when the last of the Australian soldiers returned
home. Footy was last played in 1971.
THE LAUNCH OF THE VFL
THE LAUNCH OF THE VFL
THE VIETNAM FOOTBALL LEAGUE
THE START………...THEN
Fast forward 55 years and a lot has changed.
The new relaunched and revamped Vietnam Football League idea came about as a way to mitigate the
travel limitations faced in response to COVID. It became a bit of a no brainer direction for us as a club.
After COVID, we were left with 2 options. The first, go into hibernation and wait, this certainly was not
an approach that I ever considered..
AND NOW………..THE RE-LAUNCH

19. 17
Launch of the VFL
The team pairings are:
vs
vs
vs
vs
Ba Dinh Buffalos (HN) Ben Thanh Bears (HCM)
Cau Giay Crabs (HN) Cho Lon Crocs (HCM)
Hoan Kiem Herons (HN)
Vung Tau Vipers (HCM)
Long Bien Langurs (HN)
Thu Liem Tigers (HCM)
The Vietnam Football League is the way of the future, and the best way to grow the game. One of the
biggest hurdles we always face is retention of players, this is sometimes down to training but then not
having regular competitive games, this league now gives us the opportunity for these games.
The dream is that 5 years down the track, we have a fully fledged league, with teams having their own
home base and that players are selected to represent the Vietnam Swans (men’s and women’s) based
on their performances in the league.
I look forward to this afternoons round robin mixed Vietnam League games, they will help the club to
forge closer bonds across the 2 cities………..next stop, teams in Central Vietnam.
The second, in the words of a modern day poet, if you build it, they will come. So with this in mind, the
2021 National league concept was born. This concept was not unique, it had previously been done
in Saigon in a summer series league and then in 2020, Hanoi again tested the waters with the Hanoi
Football League (HAFL) which saw 4 teams compete in a mixed league, the growth and engagement
proved that there were some definite legs.
The National league will see the 2 cities playing in internal leagues, Saigon in a 4 team mixed AFL
league, and Hanoi (who are officially teaming up with the Viet Celts) in a 4 team, men’s and womens,
AFL and Gaelic leagues.
So, there will be bragging rights in each city, as is to be expected, but then there will be National
bragging rights. National I hear you say…..yes, National. Weekends like Anzac Day and several other
occasions throughout the year will see teams from each city paired up and compete side by side. The
National champion will be the teams whose combined points see them sitting atop the ladder.

20. 18
Teams
BEARS / BUFFALOS
The hope here is that they don’t play football like their mascot
animals, slow. This league is exactly what the Buffalos needed,
with the turmoil of recent years being settled by the influence of
the Bears. There is an experienced leadership group at the helm
to enable this team to have a decent crack at the league, and if
the weather gods are on their side, they may just bring it home.
Biggest risk: a sunny day and a dry deck
Odds: 8/1

21. 19
Teams
HANOI
MEN
HANOI
SAIGON
WOMEN
SAIGON
Tim Pickert (A. Capt)
Darran Wood
Jose Acevedo-Soto
Ryan Tishler yes are
Big Vinh Nguyen
Grant Keating
Steven Diep
Tom Sullivan
John Mackay
Dang Doan
Darragh Glynn
Seanie Lynch
Mick Francis (Mentor)
Todd Donovan (A. Capt)
Ross Early (G. Capt)
Abu Alisher
Matt Bell
Daniel Burke
Ryan Cherry
Paul Claffey
Louis Flower
Cormac Foley
Chi Hien
Callum Maxwell
Devon Murphy
Gearoid O’Meara
Mark (Quy)
Owen Wells
Siara North (A. Capt)
Elain Flavin (G. Capt)
Ashley Abrahams
Nini Beltran
Mutiah Devayani
Melissa Glutz
Kirstie Hubbard
Jessica (Hieu)
Courtney Jordaan
Molly McMiles
Diep Nguyen
Ngoc Anh Nguyen
Victoria Sylvia
Aoife Gernon
Alex Zulieta (A. Capt)
Ela Walsh
Hannah Walsh
Charlie O’Neill

22. 20
Lagler / Crown
Teams
This combination of misfits will rely heavily on the women’s team
to get them up the ladder in 2021. The women look sharp, fit
and focussed and will be tough to beat. The men, well, they
appear to be past their use by date and will need to bounce of
the ball to go their way to be competitive.
Biggest risk: the men
Odds: 12/1
CRABS/CROCS

23. 21
Teams
HANOI
MEN
HANOI
SAIGON
WOMEN
SAIGON
Sean Milner (A. Capt)
Josh Pike
John Do
Julian Clark
James Teague
Michael Naughton
Chris Nicoletti
Phuc Phung
Conor McGuckin
Brendan Dunne
Ben Kelleher
Eric Kerrison (Mentor)
James Worland (A. Capt)
Tom Lynch (G. Capt)
Matt Bush
Andrew Callanan
Malone Dunlavey
Eoghan Finn
Clayton Green
Frank Haltom
Bronzel Johnson
Luke Kenny
Sam Killorn
Jeremy Lamberton
John McDonagh
Long Nguyen
Brian Smith
Lachlan Stark
Saskia van den Hoogen
(A. Capt)
Natasha Coulter (G.
Captain)
Ciara Briscoe
Zandri Byleveldt
Caitlyn Francis
Hannah Gil
Jax Guerrero
Thu Kenny
Van Tran
Layla Laelia
Glenda Pitas
Courtney Smit
Josephine Schmitz
Nisa Taat
Naomi Ni Riada (A. Capt)
Lucy Nguyen
Katie Walsh
Kismat Lodazy
Nerissa Knight

24. 22
Teams
With some tactical drafting in the North and some new
Southern blood, this group will again be a competitive force.
What they lack in speed, is well and truly compensated
with strength to have an evenly balanced group,
whether competing in mixed, mens or womens leagues.
Biggest risk: injury prone
Odds: 5/1
HERONS/TIGERS

25. 23
Teams
HANOI
MEN
HANOI
SAIGON
WOMEN
SAIGON
Wayne McMahon (A.
Capt)
Bill Crang
Andy Glendinning
Dinh Anh
Shane MacFarlane
Vinh Le
Seamus Taidgh
Tony Ferguson
Luke Turner
Paul Caulfield
Aaron Dempsey
James Phillips (Mentor)
Jake Norris (A. Capt)
Jason Kane (G. Capt)
Michael Browne
Ross De Souza
David Di Nogla
Stephen Faughan
Sean Foley
Long Nguyen Jnr
Mitch Reddog
Ben Robinson
John Shoulders
Rob Towell
Phil van der Browne
Alex Williams
Chris Singleton
Louise Ode
Bezuidenhour (A. Capt)
Marah Charnel (G. Capt)
Amber Barrett
Mary Duffy
Eva Dunlavey
Hannah Hernandez
Katie Hunt
Lucy
Lan Nguyen
Jessica Sachara
Jardi Skein
Hanh Tran
Sophie Wilkinson
Lana van der Merwe
Lisa Bowring (A. Capt)
Tina Le
Alison Griffin
Anne

26. 24
Teams
What do you get when you cross a langur with a viper, you get
the early favorite for the 2021 Vietnam League. This team is
oozing with talent and speed across both the mens and womens
teams, mix this with a touch of experience, they are going to be
very hard to stop.
Biggest risk: reliability and the odd Jameson on a Friday night.
Odds: 2/1
LANGURS/VIPERS

27. 25
Teams
HANOI
MEN
HANOI
SAIGON
WOMEN
SAIGON
Nathan Milner (A.Capt)
Hung Dang
Alex Knight
Simon Thibault
Garrett Lombard
Matthew Barton
Rodney Stone
Will Sandman
Angus McEwin
Trent Davies
Padraig Devine
Eamonn Gilligan
Mark Tierney (Mentor)
Luke Philpott (A.Capt)
Cian Hickey (G. Capt)
Soren Anderson
Matt Bahen
Mikey Barrett
Oisin Carr
Sean Delaney
Francois Kriek
Joel Lane
Trung Le
Alekz Leitmanis
Connor McDonagh
Tin Tran
Paul Villanova
Daragh Walshe
Katie Nelson (A.Capt)
Maeve Culhane (G. Capt)
Annie Farley
Zoe Humeau
Jeeraporn Malawan
Eileen Murphy
Shalom Brown
Phuong Nguyen
Brid O’Connor
Ama Pola
Anna Rose
Michelle Swanapoel
Nikki Ware
Chia Sabbatucci (A.Capt)
Heather Julien
Binh Pham
Claire Hansen

28. 26

29. 27
Vung Tau Vets & Friends Article
Information can be obtained from our website
www.vtvfcf.org and/or contacting the following:
Vung Tau Veterans and Friends Children's Fund (VTVFCF) is a volunteer fund operated by expats in Vung Tau and
Australia, approximately 95% of all funds raised are delivered to target.
The funds mission is to provide suitable housing to the people of Vung Tau/Ba Ria Province that are raising children
in less than desirable conditions. Health and education are our main priorities.
The fund raises money from donations, Nui Dat/Vung Tau Tours and various fund raising activities. To this date
we have provided suitable housing for 33 worthy families and instituted numerous health and education initiatives.
Warren Williams +84966125459
Johannes Suiker +84933904313
info@vtvfcf.org
President:
Secretary:
Email:
You’ve likely met the Vung Tau Veterans and Friends
Children’s Fund at the entry gate to today’s game.
They do a power of good work and it’s an honour
for the Swans to be able to have them associated
year on year with the ANZAC Friendship Match.

30. 28
OFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE VFL
History of the VFL (Stan Middleton)
(VIETNAM FOOTBALL LEAGUE) 1966 TO 1971 BY STANMIDDLETON

31. 29
History of the VFL (Stan Middleton)

32. 30
History of the VFL (Stan Middleton)

33. 31
History of the VFL (Stan Middleton)

34. 32

35. 33
ANZAC Day AFL Brings Mateship To Vietnam
AFL Brings Mateship to Vietnam
Australia’s ANZAC Day AFL is underpinned by
mateship no matter where it is played, but in Vietnam
this is taking on a particularly profound meaning.
Since its inception in 2010, the ANZAC Friendship
Match at Vung Tau has been the catalyst for an
ever-strengthening friendship between Australia and
Vietnam.
Over the years, a close community of people from
both nations has grown around the match and its host
team, the Vietnam Swans. Every year, players and
spectators join together in respect for all those who
made sacrifices during one of Asia’s most horrific
modern conflicts, no matter what side they were
on, and to show their appreciation and support for
Vietnam today.
Match Founded on Respect for Both Sides
Former President of the Vietnam Swans, Phil Johns,
was first struck by the idea of an ANZAC Match for
Vietnam in 2009, when the Swans played in the
Thailand Tigers ANZAC Commemorative Match at
Kanchanaburi.
“25 April that year fell on a Saturday so we went
to the Dawn Service at Hellfire Pass and that was
followed by the game,” he says. “Three ex POWs
were there at the game. Listening to them speak [at
the service] had been incredible – to learn so much.”
Current Swans Captain, Bill Crang, agrees. “It was
really humbling…and that was when we were like
wow there’s quite a bit of power to this.”
The following year, the ANZAC AFL had its first run
in Vietnam. “We held a domestic match where the
Vietnam Swans fielded the two teams,” says Phil. “It
was a relatively low key event in terms of marketing
as we needed to ensure that we could negotiate the
sensitivities involved.”
The day began with a welcome address from Phil,
followed by a moments silence led by the Australian
Ambassador, Allaster Cox, and all three countries’
National Anthems. In his address, Phil explained
what the Swans were hoping to achieve with the
match and why they were holding it.
“The Vietnam Swans is just an Aussie Rules Club made
up of ordinary people from different backgrounds
who are living in an extraordinary place,” he said.
“We are humbled by the generosity shown to us by
those who have so warmly welcomed us into their
country, and…The Vietnam Swans hope that this
match will help build the ever strengthening friendship
between two friends: Australia and Vietnam.”
In the match later that day, the Swans wore two black
armbands while playing instead of the traditional
single band – one on each arm – as a symbol of
who they were playing for. “We all live here and
we’re very thankful to live here,” says Captain, Bill.
Reproduced from a wonderful article published on www.footyalmanac.com.au
written by ZoeOsborne.
ANZAC DAY

36. 34
ANZAC Day AFL Brings Mateship To Vietnam
“We have a deep respect for anyone who fought
and on both sides – it would be two or none, we’d
never do one.”
We Played Here During the War
After its launch in 2010, the ANZAC Friendship
Match quickly sparked interest among the Veteran
community back in Australia. Although the Swans
didn’t know it at the time, the location they had
chosen for the match had also been used for Aussie
rules during The War in a league then known as the
VFL (Vietnam Football League).
Two weeks after the game, ex-serviceman Stan
Middleton left a comment on the Swans website. “A
full scale Aussie Rules Competition between [seven]
Australian units was conducted [twice a year],” he
wrote. “We initially played all our games where the
Greyhound Racing Track is now in Vung Tau… and
we played 14 a side because of the ground being a
soccer ground.”
Retired RAAF serviceman Ron Vernon also came
across Vietnam’s ANZAC AFL online, shortly after
the game. “The Swans just put different things on
Facebook I suppose and that’s how I picked it up
one night,” he says. “I contacted Phil Johns who was
running it and we communicated from there.”
Like today’s ANZAC Match, friendship was a core
feature of the VFL. Back then, the game was a
valuable expression of mateship for its players and
an important way to raise their spirits. “It was seen
as a huge morale booster for the soldiers based in
Vung Tau,” says Stan. “I know my unit loved it and
looked forward to every game. We would take at
least a truckload of supporters with us, as well as a
truckload of players. A truckload of beer too!”
“It was a fairly tough competition because some
of the people used to play in the top Melbourne
teams and they were pretty good footballers!” Ron
remembers, “Every game was played to compete
but after the game we’d all get together and have a
BBQ and a drink, it was a way of relaxing and just
friendship really.”
Today’s ANZAC match is a similar mix of serious
competition and friendly beers. A strong community
of locals, expats, veterans and AFL enthusiasts from
all over the world has gathered around the annual
event in commemoration and mutual respect.
It comprises three games – two matches earlier in
the day and the main game hosted by the Vietnam
Swans with their two black arm-bands. “This year we
saw the first women’s match in Vietnam,” says club
President, Eric Kerrison. “We also have a legends
game, which includes players from all walks of life
from Veterans to ex-residents of Vietnam and local
players just wanting to be involved.”
Vietnamese and Australians Bond Over the
Footy
The Swans team itself is a tight-knit group of men
of a range of nationalities, skill sets, fitness levels
and ages. They train every week at HCMC’s RMIT,
ending each session with beers, sausages and quite
often torrential monsoon rain. “There’s a little cafe out
the front that also sells beers and it used to be behind
a huge tree,” says captain, Bill. “You’d just stand
there and ask the tree for beer, and the owner would
bring it out. So the boys called it the beer tree!”
A growing number of club members are Vietnamese,
and to teammate Dinh Anh, the diversity within the
Swans is an ideal way to share cultures, language
and life experiences. He joined the club in March
2016. “I find the sport so interesting because you can
tackle and kick and use the whole body to play with
the ball,” he says. “I think more and more Vietnamese
people will want to play [AFL] because they can
learn about Australia and practise their English.”
The Vietnamese players also offer a new dimension
to the way the team plays. “We’ve got a few
Vietnamese players now that are at a good game
level,” says Captain, Bill. “They’re smaller and faster
so they offer a totally different side to our game.”
To Bill, the future of Vietnam’s AFL lies in generating
more local involvement. “Having more Vietnamese
The Cambodian Eagles before the 2017
ANZAC Friendship Match

37. 35
ANZAC Day AFL Brings Mateship To Vietnam
players involved will get us playing more footy,
get the standards up, get us exposure locally in the
community,” he says. “And it’s great fun! We really
try to have a special focus on bringing local guys
in – it’s become a fundamental objective of the club.”
But while they are an increasingly diverse
demographic, the Swans are first and foremost good
mates. “You might ask some people from other clubs
here “what does this guy do for a job” and they have
no idea, whereas I know awkward amounts of stuff
about every guy in ours,” he says. “Back in Australia
the boys from footy clubs share a lot of things from
their lives and it’s the same thing here…”
The friendship within the Swans club also extends
to other members of the community, particularly the
Australian Veterans who make the trip out for the
ANZAC Friendship Match each year. “The Swans
are very inclusive of all us old VFL players,” says ex-
serviceman, Stan Middleton. “The shield they play
for is modelled on the one we played for during the
war! [And] they named their key note speech after
the game after me – “The Middleton Address” –
which was a huge honour.”
This year a few Vietnamese ex-servicemen also got
involved with the ANZAC match, coming to the
post-match dinner later in the day. “The Aussie Vets
living in Vung Tau reached out to them and they have
all started to go for coffees and beers together as
mates,” says Swans captain, Bill. “A few joined us at
the dinner…there are heaps of photos of the guys all
together. It’s become the stage where the [Australian]
Vets are coming back and trying to do good things
and the Vietnamese Vets are…welcoming them. I
think that’s amazing.”
Football Club Members Help People in
Need
Two such Australians, Veteran Ron and his wife Ailsa,
have been coming to Vung Tau for years. They work
with the Center for the Protection of Children at Long
Hai, raising funds for the Center through their own
initiative, The Princess Project, which was set up in
2008.
According to Ron and Ailsa, most of the children
at the Center are abandoned and many are HIV
positive. Most of them have been there for a long
time. “It used to be that [parents] could just bring
children in but now they really have to have a
reason,” says Ailsa. “Now, [many of] the kids are
abandoned. They’ll take them to the beach and just
leave them there or the Center will find kids living on
the streets.”
My Huong, the Director of the Center, contacts the
Project to let them know what the Center needs, and
they provide the funds. “We never give money to the
Center,” says Ron. “We just keep raising it and when
My Huong says they need something we try to buy it
for them.” My Huong has also put them in touch with
a few families in the Vung Tau community who are
equally as in need of help.
Although Ron and Ailsa work with donations from
a range of individual sponsors, their work is also
supported by the Swans, who hold fundraising events
to raise money for the Princess Project’s initiatives.
According to Swans President, Eric, this is a
fundamental part of the football club. “It is a passion
for the Swannies,” he says. “We have supported
various charities over the years by hosting fundraising
events and we currently support Swim Vietnam and
the Vung Tau orphanage.”
Their work with Swim Vietnam, a charity organisation
providing free swimming and water safety lessons
to children and training local adults as swimming
instructors, involves raising money to support their
initiatives. “It is heartbreaking from an Australian
point of view, and probably a community point of
view, to know that more kids die from drowning here
in Vietnam than in road accidents,” says Eric.
The Swans don’t run for profit, charging their players
just enough to cover costs. “We kind of exist to keep
rolling,” says Captain, Bill. “On Grand Final Day
we make a bit of cash, but everything else including
ANZAC Day is actually for charity.”
To Bill, this kind of work is the most profound aspect
of the Swans football club. “From our perspective
[this work] lets us exist for a much better purpose,”
he says. “Let’s be honest, we play pretty average
football in a strange place, so… it just makes it that
much more rewarding. I think it’s one of the strongest
things we’ve got.” A number of club members outside
the team itself also work in the Vung Tau community,
offering support to people who need it out of both
compassion and respect. To them, this work is a way
to express their appreciation and compassion for
Vietnam today, in a country they now call home.

38. 36
11+1 Years of Friendship
The ANZAC Friendship match has grown into something
that any Swans player or family member looks forward to
and will always look back fondly on. So many elements
have combined to make this one of the most unique games
of AFL on the planet. Playing on the same turf the diggers
played on during down time from the horrors of war.
Being in the midst of Vets who have done such wonderful
things in the community around here since returning to
discover a Vietnam at peace. Welcoming teams from
all over Asia. The tradition of the McMillan Dinner and
Middleton Address which have drawn names like Embley,
Seymour and Jesaulenko (you beauty!!!). It all comes
together as the weekend that means more the the Swans
than any other.
Since 2010 we’ve played Asia’s best and funnily enough
only ever lost to teams from Indonesia (Jakarta twice).
This weekend enables us to remember the sacrifices that
were made on both sides in the war that ravaged the lands
the Swans now call home whilst celebrating the great
friendships that our people now enjoy and continue to
develop. Footy can play a great part in these friendships
and it’s been a personal honour of mine to be part of
all the Swan’s Anzac Games to date. They will forever
be some of the greatest memories of my life. Here’s my
sometimes cloudy memory across all those years:
11+1 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP
11+1 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP
Words Bill Crang
2009 - Vietnam Swans v Thailand Tigers in
Kanchanaburi
Wow! This was my first ever tour and what a baptism of
literal fire. Mid forty degrees and a red hot opponent
opened my eyes but by the end being well over 100
points down and I think having not scored a major all
day most of us were cowering with our eyes closed in
the fetal position. The tour remains one of the best I’ve
ever been on though with the amazing stories of some of
the heroic diggers who endured so much on the Burma
Death Railway, the morning ceremony (ANZAC was a
Saturday that year) and a post game cruise down the
River Kwai. Great touring squad that absolutely tore
Kanchanaburi a new one capped off a great weekend
and in hindsight I’m not surprised left me wholeheartedly
addicted to playing footy throughout Asia.
2010 - Hanoi Hawks(63) v Saigon
Swans(62) Heritage Match in Vung Tau
Phil Johns, the visionary behind almost every piece of
the Swans platform as a club was inspired by the power
of ANZAC Day in Kanchanaburi the year before. As
expats loving life in Vietnam what was amazing was
how little we knew beyond Forest Gump of the war that
shook the world here for over a decade. None the less,
somewhat luckily we moved to play a friendship game
in Vung Tau. Unbeknown to us this was the hallowed
turf the diggers played on during their down time some
40 years earlier. Not only that but some of them were
in the crowd - which shocked us in its size - and very
quickly we were able to learn some of the history of the
Australian involvement but also some of the Vietnamese
side of a war that really had no winner. The two black
arm-bands respect concept was born out of respect for
soldier enduring the horror of war on either side of the
battle. As always the North cheated thoroughly and
claimed the game by a point. One great hit by Greg
Stanton on the wing was a highlight. A friendship match
in name but it was obvious playing here on this epic
ground games were never going to be soft! As we took
stock of all we learnt the gravity of what the ANZAC
Friendship Match at the Lord Mayor’s Oval in Vung Tau
was going to become mega. We were still to see how
mega.

39. 37
11+1 Years of Friendship
2012 - Vietnam Swans (79) d China Reds
(56)
2014 - Vietnam Swans (100) d Malaysian
Warriors (11)
The Reds were a mystery coming into this game, we
hadn’t seen much of them but knew that with Shanghai
and Beijing combining some serious talent would be
headed our way. The game was memorable for me as it
was the first time my parents watched me play a game
of football in Vietnam. After embarrassing myself up for-
ward I was shifted into defense for the second quarter
onto a bloke who seemed very handy. After a tough
tussle that quarter dad was quick to point out that that
‘handy’ player was 155 game North Melbourne veter-
an Shannon Watt, that I should be very careful on him
and good luck - just what I needed to know. Despite en-
tering the second half shaking like a leaf the boys were
too good all over the field especially in the middle with
a freshly arrived Dave Oshea and skipper Dukesy all
over the Chinese.
From the outset this was a belting led by Tra-vy ‘the
Butcher’ Fallon. The first 2 clearances came forward with
Trav taking the ball from contested scuffles and snap-
ping amazing goals. It was going to be one of those
days! Trav didn’t let up going on to kick about 6 and
neither did any Swannie, pounding the Warriors into the
Lord Mayors Oval dust. After the heartbreak in 2013
no-one could have seen this coming but it was a wel-
come drubbing of one of the least liked teams in Asia.
The Middleton Address that night was given by none
other than AFL legend Alex Jesaulenko. Jezza praising
how much Asian footy was like he remembered from
his days unlike the modern polished, heartless game
played on the biggest stage in Australia each winter.
2013 - Vietnam Swans (59) defeated by
Jakarta Bintangs (69)
Part of the reason I think the Friendship Match has
become such a great event was attracting one of the
premier AFL Asia teams to the first ever International
Match. The Dragons go deep if not win every single
Asian Championships and have one of the best touring
cultures in Asia. This was my first glimpse into it and it
helped us to grow as a footy club immensely. The Drag-
ons were not short of talent on this tour either but as our
first international game with the crowd pouring in after
hearing about the game after the previous year we
played out of our skins. BOG was Angry Dave Hadley
and the greatly missed Nick Shiells was up in the best.
Richard Osbourne (still in very handy nick) played for
both teams but definitely gave a bit more for the Swans).
Despite a comfortable win on the scoreboard the game
stayed in the balance all day! Coach Josh ‘Pudding’
Little’s now famous words to “go out and (awkward
pause) pull off the greatest win this Vietnam Swans has
ever done(sic)” definitely rang true! Google 9 News
201
1 Vung Tau Frienship Match!
The bubble burst! The Bintangs bought a tight, experi-
enced touring squad and shocked us for our first loss
at the Dog Track. We had plenty of great players in
Vietnam at that time but the Bintangs were simply more
focused and cohesive and it showed us that the way
players come in and out of Asian Footy clubs the most
important is to have an ongoing simple structure that
blokes of all level can walk into , comprehend and func-
tion within. Very much what Rod and Jakey have been
focused on in 2018.
2011 - Vietnam Swans (89) d Hong Kong
Dragons (47) in Vung Tau

40. 38
11+1 Years of Friendship
2016 Vietnam Swans defeated by Jakarta
Bintangs
2017 Vietnam Swans (66) d Cambodian
Eagles (42)
Not again! The Bintangs were invited back given they’d
been the only team amongst Asia’s biggest opponents
to knock us off. Surely they wouldn’t upset us on our
biggest day of the season for a second time?! This
time Dave Oshea was on the other side with a limited
touring squad the Bintangs went to work drafting the
best players out of the Legends game getting themselves
some rotations to play with. The game continually see-
sawed but eventually the Bintangs prevailed after the
Swans were too slow to adjust our strategy going
forward looking for Keysey being picked off by the
Bintangs CHB. Heart break again!
The Eagles had an amazing end to 2016 taking out an
Indochina Cup we believe we should have won after
upsetting us in the pool game and knocking us out of
the finals. They were heading to Vung Tau planning on
inflicting another embarrassing upset and are always a
danger and even had our 4 x best and fairest player
Dukesy on the tour! The game was hot and hard as
always but slowly and surely we gained the ascendancy
and maintained our composure in the last quarter when
the Eagles snagged a few goals to close the margin.
Jimmy Bairstow was given Best On Ground for his
tireless work through the middle and around the ground.
2015 Vietnam Swans (90) d Singapore
Wombats (49)
2015 saw the 25th of April coincide with the Saturday
game. What an honour to place a wreath at the Long
Tan Cross, discuss the Battle of Long Tan and the entire
war with survivors and then play some footy with your
best mates! Once again the Swans were on a roll, the
playing group getting out of their favorite bars and
into the gym in the run into the 2015 Friendship Match
against another team that everyone loves to beat, the
then Asian Champ Singapore Wombats. Again we
came out firing, Hanoi bringing their kicking boots
down with Tommy Doer, Joe Vile, Grant Keys and
Northern co-captain David Skowronski all kicking
multiple majors.

41. 39
11+1 Years of Friendship
As the 2018 Asian Champs Indonesia came together
(the Swans have previously played Jakarta on ANZAC
Day) to take on the Swans on our home deck. For us, this
was a massive thrill and give we’d set ourselves to win
Division 2 in the Asian Champs in 2019 before stepping
up to Division 1 this exposure to top flight Asian footy
was exactly what the Swans were after. The game didn’t
disappoint, we got off to a good start before Indonesia
settled, playing a skillful and tough brand of football.
We stayed in the game but our bench turned into an ER
ward as several injuries to key players were suffered.
Regardless heading into the last quarter the game was
anyone’s to win. We took the lead and had chances
to close it out before a last gasp forward foray by the
Volcanoes ended with an after the siren shot for goal.
The accurate set shot tied the scores! Our first ever
tie in the 10th year vs the standing Asian Champs,
wow!!! Tal (aka Libba), Oscar Silk and Tom Niit were
huge offensive weapons all day enabling us to stay in
a cracking game. The back line were huge in limiting
the quality Indonesian attack especially Nath Milner
rebounding all day.
Unfortunately in 2020 we didn’t get the chance to build on the legend of the ANZAC Friendship
Match due to the Covid Pandemic but this will only increase the energy focused on 2021!
As always, Lest we forget, We will remember them!
2019 Vietnam Swans tied with Indonesian
Volcanoes
2018 Vietnam Swans (66 & 48) d Thailand
Tigers (47 & 21) (twice)
In 2018 we returned to our ANZAC roots, taking on the
Thailand Tigers who gave us the concept 10 years earli-
er. With ANZAC Day falling midweek it was decided to
play a 2 leg series, first in Kanchanaburi and the second
in Vung Tau. Anyone who knows Asian footy knows how
hard it is to go and win o n the road, add the insane tem-
peratures of Kanchanaburi to this equation and the tour-
ing Swans for game 1 were up against it. No-one told
our midfield or who created drive from the centre and
Darcy Wilkosz was able to control the air up forward.
After half time our defense shut down the Tigers ability
to score and Thai born but Viet based Reed Cuthbert
was everywhere. Dinh Anh took control of his wing and
the Swans were able to pull away to an invaluable win.
The first match took its toll and the Tigers returned to
Vung Tau decimated by injury, lacking numbers several
high profile Swans and reinforcements rung in from the
Khmer Cobras were added to the Tigers squad causing
a hard fought battle that was only clinched late in the
4th quarter. Eventually the Swans were able to gain
ascendency across the field started by our Hanoian on
field leader Jake Norris who was in everything while
Oscar Silk provided a marking target all day eventually
scoring 3 goals which could have been far higher. To
win home and away around the ANZAC weekend was
a new and amazing experience on top of what has
become a great tradition of our club.

42. 40

43. 41
DISCOVERING
AFL
DISCOVERING
AFL
Words - Marah Charnel
How did you find out about AFL?
Some friends told me (Saskia and Natasha )
And how did you find out about the Swans?
I heard about the Swans at Gaelic training (Hanoi Celts).
What were your first thoughts when you came to a training?
I thought “how can there be another sport I’ve never heard of” and I enjoyed it very much.
When was your first game?
With the crabs last tournament (that won’t happen again!).
How did your first game go?
I thought the game was great. Made me excited to play another!
What have been the best things about playing footy in Vietnam?
The community surrounding it. I love sports and it’s nice to be surrounded by such good people
with the same passion. No language barriers (for the most part) in sports which is something
amazing when you live in another country.
Marah Charnel - Discovering AFL

44. 42

45. 43
FAQs

46. 44
FAQs

47. 45
FAQs

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