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2013 Swans at Minnesota

2013 Swans at Minnesota 0

With 7 Metro games under our belts our Swans season kicked off on Saturday with 20 of us heading up to the Land of 10,000 Lakes to take on the Freeze, who are the current Division II Premiers. A perfect afternoon for football with the sun shining and what appeared to be a 3-4 goal breeze down the City end.

The Freeze were switched on from the outset and were able to quell any forward movment by the Swans. Given we were aided by the breeze in the first quarter were unable to capitalize, heading into the first break 1 point in arrears. The second quarter saw the mid field for the Freeze gain the ascendency, Pony owned the aerial dual and in the end the Freeze roved his taps very well and gave our backman some real headaches. At this stage in the game the scoreboard was getting away from us, at half time the score 32 to 14.

After some soul searching at half time, the Swans came up and really took the game up to the Freeze and you could feel a momentum shift and all of a sudden the Swans got a sniff. Xavier went into the forward line after half time and made an instant impact, Big ‘soon to be wise’ Al battled all day against what must have seemed to be a wall of opposition. The mid field began to click and guys that had been relatively quiet, Keefy, Alex, Sars, Dougy, Rocky started to find the ball and create some quick movement into the forward, something that had been lacking in the first half.

We had outscored them in the 3rd quarter, and there was a buzz in the huddle about the fact we were still in it. The last quarter began with a real sense of urgency, Pony Boy began to give our mid fielders first use of the ball, this kick started some real genuine chances with quick movement into the forward line and all of a sudden opportunities began to present. Of the four behinds registered in the last quarter, three were from set shots, so to go down in the end by 9 points was a pretty reasonable effort given the first half performance being below par.

There were some really excellent efforts from the boys and to get so close with only 20 blokes gives us some real positives moving into the second half of the year. New Swan recruits and first gamers, Wade Porter, Quin McMillan, Alex Wallach, Andrew Woodman, showed us their value and ability and we look forward to having them be a string part of the group for the rest of the year.

Revolution ruckman, Jason Wilhelm seems to get better and better every time we play and am sure Revo Coach Bishop is excited knowing Pony Boy will be up for the challenge in the upcoming Parallel Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, CA on August 3rd.

A really good start to the year overall! I beleive as a Club and as individuals the programming this year has been beneficial. With the mid season break upon us, it gives a bit of breathing space before we head into the business end of the year.

Results

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Minnesota 1.2.8 4.0.24 1.1.7 1.1.7 7.4.46
Swans 1.1.7 1.1.7 1.1.7 2.4.16 5.7.37
Goals Minnesota: None
Swans: Burton (2), MacGlashan (2), Bradley
Best Minnesota: None
Swans: Burton, MacGlashan, Porter, Wallach, Wilhelm
A Swan by Any Other Name

A Swan by Any Other Name 0

Chicago’s Jason Holmes obviously got his directions mixed up when he asked where Swans training would be held this week. Instead of making the journey to Waveland field to prepare for the weekends match against Minnesota, Jason jumped on a flight to Australia and is training with the Sydney Swans with hopes on winning his name on Sydney’s international rookie list.

Anthony Hendrie, coach of the Chicago Swans has been running Jason through the motions at training and has been impressed not only with his raw athleticism but with the speed in which he has picked up the game. “At some point someone joins the club and really impresses for a number of reasons; Jason is one of these guys. Once he hones his kicking & handball skills, his height and agility will put him in line to play a number of postions very well in our game. Something to be genuinely excited about!”

Club president Frank Bradley echoed those sentiments, “…after a couple practices and metro games he showed one thing only a few of the new American recruits to the game possessed, a desire to learn and get better every time he played. His enthusiasm for learning the game, paired with his physical abilities, will be what makes him a very appealing recruit for the Swans.”

Holmes is looking to emulate players like Canada’s Mike Pyke, Ireland’s Tadhg Kennelly and USA’s Eric Wallace to make an impact back in Australia. Jason’s 203cm frame has been a welcome sight down at Friday Night Metro games for all but the opposing ruckman. Winning almost every tap playing in the ruck, kicking four goals for the season and showing aggression through the packs to get the ball have shown his skills have come a long way in just three “Aussie Rules” footy matches.

One player who might be glad to see Holmes take an extended trip to Australia is Chicago’s starting ruckman and USA revolution player Jason Wilhelm who has been battling with the 6′ 8″ frame of Holmes in Chicago’s “Friday Night Footy” league this season. Wilhelm spent last season with the Gin Gin Eagles in country Western Australia and has done battle against quality opponents both in Australia and the US over his short 4 year aussie rules career. When asked about Holmes he wished the big man all the best, “… Jason is going to be something special. The kid has hands that just attract the ball, and stuck like glue. His ability to read situations and adapt, while constantly learning and asking what more he can do is inspiring. His size, ability and heart will take him far. I’m excited to see what he brings to the sport internationally and here in the US. Good luck mate!”

On the other side of the tap, Swans midfielder Doug Malcolm had this to say, “Playing against Jason feels like you’re going up against someone who is a foot taller than you. And maybe that’s because he is.” He went on to explain how it has helped improve everyones skills at the club. “…now you don’t have to be perfect with your kicks. Just put it up high and he’ll go get it.”

Jason will be in Australia for a two-week try out with the Sydney Swans and then will have a chance to visit with other AFL clubs. The Chicago Swans wish Jason all the best and hope he makes it back to the states in time for the USAFL Nationals in October.

Related links: AFL.com.au – US trio to train with Swans

USAFL Division 3 Champions

USAFL Division 3 Champions 0

The Chicago Swans have taken out divvy 3 at the USAFL Nationals competition in Mason, OH.  After defeating New York, Florida and Sacramento on the road to the final, Chicago battled the Columbus Jackaroo’s to lift the cup.

Final Scores:

vs New York 6.12 (48) to 0.1 (1)
vs Sacramento 6.4 (40) to 3.1 (19)
vs Florida 5.7 (37) to 3.7 (25)

vs Columbus 4.7 (31) to 3.4 (22)

 

Swans vs Kangaroos – Inaugural Wayne Schwass Cup 0

Chicago and Nashville are the titans of the central United States with a long and storied history, just like our professional counterparts in Australia, the Sydney Swans and the North Melbourne Kangaroos. Both USAFL Clubs have been an integral part of the growth of Football in the Central region, and in 2012, that rivalry is set to continue in a big way with the inaugural Wayne Schwass Cup on August 11.

Since 1998 Chicago and Nashville have played at least once every year, with Chicago holding the advantage of 9 wins to Nashville’s 8. Of the 12 MAAFL Championships, Chicago holds 4 titles and Nashville holds 3. Chicago is 6-0 in Chicago, Nashville is 5-1 in Nashville. The remaining games are on neutral grounds (such as the national championship tournaments).

This week the Roos travel north to continue that rivalry, but this time the stakes are very different. With both clubs strengthening their relationship with their professional namesakes back home, 2012 marks the inaugural Wayne Schwass Cup which Chicago and Nashville will now battle it out for every time they meet.

Wayne Schwass played 282 games for North Melbourne and Sydney from 1988-2002 and averaged over 21 possessions per game throughout his stellar career. Playing on the Wing, he was known for his blistering place and courage. His record speaks for itself, winning Best and Fairest Awards at both clubs, representing the State of Victoria 3 times and being named to the All Australian Team in 1999. He is a Premiership player with the Roos in 1996 (against the Swans) and was named to North Melbourne’s Team of the Century. Not only does this make him a great candidate to not only honor this Cup after and continue the Swans/Roos rivalry here and in the States, it’s his work since then that is just as impressive.

“Schwatta” was born in New Zealand, making him one of the very few who were born overseas to succeed at the highest level in Aussie Rules Football. He has since forged a name for himself as a highly respected Australian AFL media identity on TV, radio and in print with Triple M, Fox Sports and the Herald Sun. He commentated the International Cup in 2005 (NZ took the title that year), and helped found the Sunrise Foundation which supports those suffering from depression after his own experiences as a professional athlete.

So as the Swans/Roos rivalry grows here in the US, we’re proud to honor Wayne Schwass and his contribution to the sport of Australian Rules, to North Melbourne and Sydney respectively, and to the great work he performs through his foundation.

Chicago will be unveiling its brand new jumpers this weekend, at which time the Chicago United name is being retired, and the Chicago Swans will rise like a phoenix. With jumpers donated by North Melbourne being worn by Nashville, it’s the Swannies taking on the Roos USAFL style.

So with Nashville in strong form, and Chicago always strong on home turf rest assured it’ll be a tough match and the footy will do the talking. Stay tuned for the result as both Clubs look to add more silverware to their trophy room.

Check what Wyane Schwass said about the Wayne Schwass Cup here.

 

2012 Swans Travel to Columbus 0

Results

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Columbus 0.0.0 0.0.0 0.0.0 10.10.70 10.10.70
Swans 0.0.0 0.0.0 0.0.0 6.5.41 6.5.41
Goals Columbus: None
Swans: Adams (2), Edwards (2), Defors, Fitzgerald
Best Columbus: None
Swans: Adams, Edwards, Fitzgerald, Wolfe, Schmelzer N

2012 Swans host Minnesota 0

Results

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Swans 0.0.0 0.0.0 0.0.0 4.3.27 4.3.27
Minnesota 0.0.0 0.0.0 0.0.0 6.8.44 6.8.44
Goals Swans: None
Minnesota: MacGlashan (2), Adams, Daudelin
Best Swans: None
Minnesota: Adams, Brennan, Burton, Campion, El Zoghbi