News — Club News

Who will raise the trophy?

The AFL finals are underway with eight teams fighting it out to lift the AFL premiership cup on the last Saturday in September. You don’t need to fly to Australia to watch the game. The Chicago Swans and Brownstone Tavern are once again throwing the greatest AFL Grand Final party in the midwest.

The night kicks off at 9pm on Friday, 26th September 2014 at the Brownstone Tavern. $20 entry includes food and drink specials all night, chances to win over $1000 in cash and prizes and the AFL Grand Final televised LIVE!

Purchase tickets below ($20 per person):

During the game we also have a Squares competition with prizes drawn every quarter. Proceeds of the squares competition goes towards the club for help with the expenses of running the club – permits, equipment, travel etc. So purchase a square or two and be in the running for some great prizes and support the club at the same time!

https://www.superbowlsquares.org/p3b33/
Username : Swans
Password : Footy

ST KILDA has signed American giant Jason Holmes on a two-year international rookie contract.

In announcing the signing at the AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, Saints head of football Chris Pelchen said the 203-centimetre former college basketballer from Chicago had excited the club with his athletic prowess, coordination and competitiveness.

“For those who were here yesterday to see the vertical leap that Jason has, I think we were all impressed by that,” Pelchen said.

“That doesn’t mean he’s an AFL player (yet) … He’s got to learn some very basic skills and obviously understanding of the game… (but) I think he’ll adapt to the game very, very quickly.”

Holmes, 23, was identified as a potential AFL project player at the US combine in Los Angeles in April.

Click here for all the Combine news

He and fellow Americans Patrick Mitchell and Mark Cisco spent three weeks with the Sydney Swans Academy, then coached by Paul Roos. Only Mitchell was offered an international rookie contract by the club.

Holmes recorded a vertical leap of 97 centimetres – just four centimetres short of Nic Naitanui’s record.

Holmes told reporters he first came across Australian Football on cable television about six years ago.

When he heard about the US combine, he believed it was a game he was capable of playing after studying it on YouTube.

He says he picked up the skills more naturally than many other hopefuls at the combine.

“I’ve just been trying to absorb as much as I can,” he said. “It was polarising to me, watching just how important it is in this country and how many fans come watch it. It’s a huge sport and it looked really exciting.”

Asked whether he found it difficult to give up basketball, Holmes said: “At times … but my passion is to compete. I had time to think about (it) … and I wouldn’t be here if this wasn’t serious to me.”

Holmes said he was looking forward to the physicality of the game, saying his basketball career had him well equipped.

“As a ruckman it’s very similar as far as dominating other men against you, and I have no problem with getting physical and imposing my will,” he said.

Kicking was never a problem, says the left-footer, who reveals he played soccer as a youngster and also punted for a gridiron team. He also played baseball.

“So I have read the ball in the air before. It’s a different ball, different shape but it helped, it translates,” he said. “And handballing … just felt real natural to me …

“I have a lot to learn, and I’m here for that reason, but I feel I can be more of an asset to the club in my later development when I can do a little bit more … full-forward maybe. I like kicking.”

Holmes’ older brother Andre plays with NFL franchise Oakland Raiders.

“He’s excited,” Holmes said. “He wishes I shared the same interest in football, so I’m pretty excited to say I play too.”

Welcome back to Chicago footy everyone. Round 1 of the 2014 season was a rematch of the 2013 metro grand final, Lincoln Square Tigers Vs the Lincoln Park Piranhas. The match started a little after 6 as the weather was delaying some of the local baseball games, but at soon as the boots were tied and the legs were stretched, the whistle blew and the game was underway. From the first ball up it was apparent that Jason “Ponyboy” Wilhelm was going to win the taps all day, but with “cannonball” Kiefy roving for the Tigers he was quick to play off the taps and keep the ball in the Tiger side of the Field. Conway kept Pony occupied all day keeping a body on him at all times and really shutting him down. The first half was all Tigers as there more veteran side was apparent over the younger and more inexperienced Piranha side. The Piranhas were lucky to hold the Tigers to only 5 goals in the first quarter, but the second half was the comeback we were all waiting to see. Tiger goal kickers first quarter were Beckham…err I mean Sainty…X2, Al “I’m still young enough to kick ass” Macglashin X2, and Eric “Cutter” Conway.

The second quarter was more in the Piranhas side of the field and the goals starting coming back their way. New players Patrick, Tom, Mack, Joris and Kevin all started to get a feel for the game, and soon enough Dougy “Fresher than Fresh” Malcolm slotted 2 goals and Alex “roids” Wallach snapped a ripper from 30 out. “Drakey” made a veteran appearance for the Tigers and showed he still has years of footy in him, and while he made the honorable call to let the younger players play while he ran the boundary. For the Tigers, Nolan “what’s with the hat” Schmelzer grabbed a pair of goals and looked smooth out there with his spin moves and jukes. Best on Ground Player of the match Sam “I swear I’m not 19″ Svoboda played incredibly well looking super sharp for still being a newer player. Mark after mark and spot on kicks got this kid the Blue Jacket at Brownstone. At the half, the scores were a little more even at 7.2 (44) to 3.3 (21)

Coming into the premiership quarter the Piranhas were stopped again and again by one very big man: Russ “the bus” Adams. With more years playing that probably the entire Piranahs team combined, it was hard to not only get the ball into the forward fifty but get it in the hands of those who could put it through the big sticks. Al “silky smooth” Martain was instrumental in keeping the ball moving forward for the Tigers. Coming out the wood works Graham “Crackers” got his name on the sheet with a major score, along with Oscar “mile high” Meyer. Pony receiving a handball from Doug off the wing kept the Piranhas alive with the only goal for the quarter for the blue and reds. Lots of hard work was to be had by Tyler “Minutes” in the pocket keeping Paul “Garden Gloves” scoreless on the day. Russ kept Rhino gun Dave “Wild Child” Deutz goalless for his cameo appearance. Sars was another key player on the Pirhanas who made the 3 hour drive in and drive home that night (huge effort) to keep the flow moving to the Pirhanas offensive sign, but the Tigers were just too strong. Hoyt played too.

The Fourth quarter was nothing short of a fizzle out. Lungs were short of breath while Big Al and Crackers bagged another goal each. In the End the Tigers were just too strong and will absolutely be a force to be reckoned with. Next week the Pirhanas get a chance to get their name back when they face the Wrigleyville Rhinos.

As always, huge thanks to all the WAGs/friends/family and kids who came out to support the footy and have a drink while watching men beat the crap out of each other. Always good having the support and the cheers/jeers when we kick goals or shank them miserable. Huge thanks for Anthony Hendrie to umpire the game. See you all next week!

Best on Ground: Sam Svoboda
Oxford Landing: Pedro and Kevin Shinsako
Golden Goose: Kiefy

Come celebrate everything there is about being, knowing (or wanting to know) an Australian at the annual Australia Day party hosted by the Chicago Swans. This year we will be at the Kirkwood hotel (another of the Four Corners tavern group) with a great wristband deal ($35 draft beer, call spirits and wine from 8-11). For up to date event details, check the official Chicago Swans Facebook page.

We can’t promise the 40C weather back in Oz right now, but slip on your coat, slop on some green and gold, and slap on a Kirkwoods wristband and party Australian style Saturday 25th from 8pm onwards at Kirkwoods (2934 N Sheffield).

Time to break out the Red & White suit, get the missus all dolled up and pay tribute to our award winners for 2013!

Join us for the final event of the season on Saturday 23 November at Sidebar & Grill, LaSalle & Wacker. Party starts at 7pm. Dinner served from 7:30pm. Drink package until 11pm. Party bus picks us up at 11pm to continue at the Benchmark Tavern on Wells.

$40 per person for financial members & guests

$60 per person for NON financial members & guests

The Chicago Swans would like to thank the over 200 fans that packed The Brownstone Tavern on Lincoln Ave in Chicago to watch the Fremantle Dockers face the Hawthorn Hawks in what turned out to be a thrilling 2013 AFL Grand Final. In the end, the Hawthorn Hawks triumphed 11.11 (77) to Fremantle 8.14 (62) in a game that was still in the balance with minutes to play.

Hosting the AFL Grand Final and officially drawing the winners of the Qantas Raffle has become an annual tradition for our football club. We would like to thank our major sponsor, The Brownstone Tavern, who do an amazing job on the biggest night of the year for the club and continue to dedicate countless hours in the kitchen perfecting their rendition of an Aussie meat pie for this event. The Chicago Swans and The Brownstone Tavern look forward to hosting the AFL Grand Final for many years to come.

The 2013 Qantas Raffle was the most successful in recent history. Thank you to everyone who supported the club and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by purchasing raffle tickets. Over the years, The Chicago Australian Football Association has donated over $12,000 in raffle proceeds to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and “Project Relentless”. Local football clubs rely heavily on external support and we are extremely lucky to have people & sponsors both within the club and externally that believe in our future. Congratulations to the winners!

Grand Prize – Airfare to Australia for 2– Chavewan Chutipisalkul
1st Place Prize – $400 – Jaclyn Wike
2nd Place Prize – $200 – Ryan Daudelin
3rd Place Prize – Mixed Case of Oxford Landing Estate Wines – Jeff Wilcox