Keep Honking - The Vietnam Swans Podcas‪t‬ The Vietnam Swans

Matty Francis joins us for Episode 16 bringing some incredible insights both from his days in the AFL (Richmond and Collingwood player), post playing involvement in coaching and running the Brisbane Lions footy department and through his recent move to Vietnam where his brother (Swans Hall of Famer Micky) has developed a tourism and hospitality empire. 

The Swans are super lucky to have Matty around the club with his experience, passion for passing on his skills and knowledge to upcoming players and new his Sports Bar in Saigon's Binh Thanh district of Ho Chi Minh City we hope to see more and more of him throughout 2022 and beyond. 

Grand Final Week 2021 we decided to get our first ever AFL Premiership player onto the podcast. Rick Olarenshaw played in the 1993 Baby Bombers premiership winning team and for Collingwood and North Melbourne in his footy career but more importantly has become a force in Asian footy starring for the Bali Geckos and Indonesian Volcanoes.

Rick was an outstanding guest taking us through his AFL days, his post footy management and boundary riding days and his experiences on and off field since moving to Bali.

Thanks to Rick for taking the time and we look forward to playing the Geckos or Volcanoes as soon as possible!

The Milner Bros are an incredible pairing on and off the field. The boys from a 1000 person country town have ended up in Vietnam together and are finding ways to empower others whilst powering the Swans on field. 

This pod was a great way to find out the early days of their fierce back yard competitive rivalries, their first visits to Vietnam, multitude of business ventures and more!

Make sure to check out www.cheesecakengon.com and fb.com/cheesecakengon for the best cheesecakes in Vietnam AND www.bagelbrothersvn.com and fb.com/bagelbrothersvn for some fantastic lunch options. 

Even better drop in and see the boys at Cheesecake Ngon - 14e Quoc Huong, Thảo Điền or Bagel Bros - 29 Đường Thảo Điền.

Merrick joins us on the Keep Honking Podcast sharing incredible insights into his early days, entertainment career, passion for Vietnam, the SAS experience including some tensions on the set!

Merrick Watts is a staple of the Australian entertainment space including his iconic radio duo Merrick & Rosso, appearances on TV Shows including The Project, Rove, Underbelly and most recently completing SAS Australia. More importantly Merrick has a growing connection to the Swans, being our special guest to the 2018 Saigon Grand Final party where unfortunately his beloved Pies lost at the last minute and a passionate Vietnam traveler. 

Tracey Johnson has been a huge part of the Swans socially and on field as our AFLW program caught fire. She also has played an integral role in the growth of Wide Eyed Tours - one of the Swans most loyal sponsors over the years. Tracey's time spent working at the Hawthorn Football club provide some incredible stories as do her experiences coming to and living in Vietnam and being one of the leaders in the tourism industry. 

Jake Norris is one of the Swans living legends. We catch up with Jake as he and Jason O'Cathain prepare to undertake the Vietnam Charity Walk for some amazing causes in Blue Dragon and the Long Hai Centre for Social Protection of Children (follow it here - on Facebook ). Aside from being the rock of the Swans midfield Jake has an incredible background, fantastic family who have shaped some of his unique traits, amazing passion and all come through in this podcast episode. Have a listen, follow the Charity Walk and support them wherever you can!