Griffith Wins Grand Final
 M.I.A. COMPETITION DECIDED
 TEAM'S BRILLIANT FINISH
Griffith won the grand final match of the M.I.A Football League competition on Sunday by defeating Yanco, the minor premiers.
The match was played on the Griffith Rugby Oval and attracted a large concourse of spectators, the majority of whom knew only little of the principals under which the game is played. Nevertheless, they were surprised at the nature of the game and next year the local team should have a much larger following that hitherto.
Yanco led at half time and their exhibition up to the interval was highly pleasing to their supporters, and Griffithites were inclined to be pessimistic regarding the home team's chance. Only those who had followed them throughout the year were confident they would "come with a rattling finish". At half time the scores were Yanco, 5 goals 4 behinds - 34 points; Griffith, 3 goals 4 behinds - 22 points. For the rest of the game Griffith lived up to their reputation of being strong finishers and added 9 goals 6 behinds to the visitors 5 goals 3 behinds.
With the exception of Jack Haines, who travelled over 50 miles to play for Griffith, it is exceptionally hard to discriminate in the selection of tho best performers. Haines was the hero of the match, and it was mainly through his brilliant and consistent play that Griffith were able to secure the laurels of the day.
The teams:-      
Griffith: F. Polkinghorne (capt), W. O'Neill, J. Longmore, G. Longmore, R. Stevenson, C. Stevenson, W. Owen, J. Owen, F. Manning, H. Manning, W. Wade, J. Haines, J. Fox, O. Kohn, J. Daines, E. Davy, J. Wood and L. Anderson 
Yanco: R. Stall (capt), A. Currey, H. Currey, M. Miller, G. Neil, C. McCann, E. Jones, J. Quinton, G. Taylor, A. Taylor, P. Clayton, T. McCormack, R. Thompson, B. Thompson, C. Stall, R. Monfries, C. Taylor, C. Dodds.
Griffith were unable to play D. Manning, W. James and A. Scott who were on the sick list, whilst Yanco were without the services of F. Cartwright.
Mr. E. Adams of Narrandera, controlled the game in a highly efficient manner and was congratulated after the match for his capable and impartial control.
GLIMPSES OF THE GAME
Griffith had the advantage of a fairly strong wind in the first quarter, kicking to the eastern goal. Scrambly play marked the commencement of the term, Pouncer Wade was prominent in forcing attacks for Griffith but a free kick to Yanco transferred play to the centre where Longmore and Polkinghorne put in good work. The former marked well but his kick resulted in Yanco organising an attack, and by a series of passes were quickly in scoring distance. Their attempt to score resulted in an out of bounds. J. Owen secured the ball and passed to the forwards. Yanco secured and with the first systematic play of the match returned the leather to their forwards where A. Taylor marked in front. He made the first score of the match, a point. The kick out was marked by Jones who returned, only for R. Stevenson to mark and relieve the situation. Polkinghorne did serviceable work in the centre and from his efforts Haines secured. With a long kick he scored a goal. Yanco broke away from the bounce. H Currey marking and passing to Dodds, whose effort was repelled by the Griffith backs. A goal kick by Quinton resulted in Stall marking, and scoring a minor.
Yanco were playing to better advantage then Griffith, although unable to score. Their play was more systematic, and picking out their men was particularly noticeable. Griffith players allowed their opponents to be in front of them too often which led to Yanco organising  attacks that should have been the reverse.
A nice piece of cohesive play in the centre by Yanco, ended in a point being snapped. Griffith immediately took the ball to their opponents end. Wade was responsible for a great kick but the ball was stopped in front of goals. Anderson notched a single from a angle shot. J. Longmore added another and Anderson repeated his score. J. Owen, the nippiest player in Griffith team proved a source of annoyance to the minor premiers and was always in the picture with his effective dashes. R. Stevenson and Kohn were playing a reliable game on the back line and repeatedly frustrated attacks. C. Taylor secured a mark in front and two flags waved. Polkinghorne gathered the ball from the ruck, sent it across to the wing where Haines secured and kicked a goal. 
Griffith 2 goals, 3 behinds - 15 points; Yanco 1 goal 2 behinds - 8 points.
YANCO GAIN THE LEAD
The wind was stronger in the second quarter and Yanco took full advantage of it. Play continued to be congested with Griffith backs kept continually busy. Yanco registered the first score of the term with a "sixer". B. Thompson defended well, a series of passes started by him was intercepted by Polkinghorne but Yanco pressed hard and a goal resulted, H. Currey being responsible. Frees were numerous and in consequence the game was not fast.
Infringements by Griffith placed Yanco in a scoring position and another free kick enabled G. Taylor to score full points. From the ball-up Yanco attacked, Stall marked from a crush and another major was registered. A point followed.
Yanco continued to handle the ball better, and their well-directed kicks proved effective in making openings for the forwards.
Fox was responsible for good play on the wing but Miller secured the ball and play was transferred to the centre, Griffith forwarded on to Haines, who secured but dropped the ball. Players near the ball apparently thought the whistle had been blown and ceased  play. Anderson, however, coolly picked the ball up and kicked it through the big posts. Towards the end of the term Griffith livened up and began to handle the leather more effectively. Anderson passed to to Polkinghorne, who passed a crush successfully, giving Haines the opportunity to score. He snapped a point just before the bell sounded.
Yanco, 5 goals 4 behinds - 34 points; Griffith, 3 goals 3 behinds - 21 points.
SPECTACULAR DISPLAY
With a deficit  of two goals, Griffith started determinedly in the third term. Haines, whose consistent  play was responsible for Griffith securing a substantial lead, secured first. With a long kick the ball travelled towards the goals. H. Manning missed the mark but made amends by kicking the ball along the ground through the goals. Kohn continued to play a sure game and frustrated several forward moves by Yanco. H. Manning had a shot but the ball fell short and quickly a point was registered. Yanco pressed hard for several minutes and managed to turn defence into attack. G. Neil secured  the ball and smartly kicked a goal.
HAINES LOCAL CHAMPION
Haines shone out as a superior mark, rising head and shoulders above the pack. Good play on the part of Polkinghorne and Manning, gave Haines another opportunity and he again goaled. He made opportunities instead of waiting for them, and his spectacular display of marking, together with his sound judgement gained him the applause of spectators. Indeed, he was hailed the local champion. R. Stevenson gained possession from the scrum and forwarded. Haines again secured and kicked another goal. Griffith had livened up as a result of the quick scoring which at this stage had made scores equal. They began to exert all efforts to gain the ascendancy and play became fast and strenuous. Griffith supporters placed their confidence in the team and realised that their reputation for "dazzling finishes" was to be maintained. Griffith attacked from the bounce but when in a favourable position an infringement gave Yanco an opportunity which was not missed. Play ensued near Yanco's goal and a free kick to C. Taylor resulted in a goal. Congested play followed near Yanco's goal but the chance was checked by Stevenson. Yanco persevered in their efforts to score and a fine rush on their part enabled Taylor to snap another goal. Yanco were leading by two goals. J. Owen put in clever work in securing the ball from the ruck and sent it well down. Haines secured and snapped a point. He attacked the kick out and landed another sixer. Davy cleverly evaded an opponent which resulted in Haines passing to Manning. A out of bounds followed. After congested play near the boundary a point was scored. Yanco defenders strove hard to reverse the position but Griffith had risen to the occasion and played as one man. A clever piece of play by Haines, who decisively beat his opponents in manoeuvres for positions, ended in him scoring his sixth goal. Stevenson Brothers intercepted passes from Yanco and once more Griffith were hammering at the goal. Stevenson with a spectacular dash towards the goal sent the leather to the goal mouth where the indefatigable Haines marked and added another major to his credit. After the bounce Kohn marked well and passed to Haines. Although on an angle he repeated his performance, the ball going through as the bell sounded.
Griffith, 10 goals 7 behinds - 67 points; Yanco, 8 goals 4 behinds - 52 points
EXCITING LAST TERM
Fortunately for Griffith the strong wind that had prevailed throughout the afternoon dropped early in the deciding term. Yanco changed their half back line, Stall, the biggest player on the field playing half back.
 Play ensued in Griffith's territory tor several minutes, until Taylor relieved the situation with a long kick down the centre. H. Curry opened the score with a goal. Haines was kept under strict surveillance after his dazzling exhibition the previous quarter. A long kick by E. Jones placed the visitors in a scoring position but they could only manage a minor. Free kicks were numerous at this stage of the game and had the scores been closer the result would have been different. Yanco in quick time scored a point and a goal. From this time out the game became hard and willing, with weight being used freely. The ball travelled up and down for some time and attacks were repelled by Currey and Thompson. The ball went out and with the kick-in Stall scored a single, making scores equal. With fifteen minutes to play the result was still in doubt although Griffith finishing powers stood them in good stead. Yanco benefited by frees in the centre just when the situation was dangerous but they created no openings. Polkinghorne in the centre, was consistent in frustrating advances. A shot by Manning gave Griffith the lead  of one point. Yanco pressed and passed the centre line. What may have been a serious position was relieved by W. Owen. 
Local supporters gave vent to their enthusiasm vocally, a great crowd congregating near the goal urging the team to further efforts. 
Play was sparking with quick dashes and flashes of fast and clever play. The standard displayed during the closing of the term was to keeping with a grand final. Up and down the ball travelled, with free kicks conspicuous by their absence. Consequently there was never a dull moment.
Kohn and Wade stemmed one advance, the latter forwarding to Manning who marked in front. Prolonged applause greeted the recipient of the ball. Five minutes to go and the prospect of another goal was too much for Griffithites, and when the two flags waved tremendous cheers followed. Yanco received a free and played along the wing. Davy got the ball and sent it to the forwards. The return was cleverly marked by J. Owen but his kick sent the ball out. He secured the leather again and cleverly dodged his opponent to make an opening. His shot hit the post. C. Stevenson was responsible for the leather being returned to the forwards. Anderson marked and kicked Griffith twelfth and last goal. Only three minutes were left in which Yanco could annex the cup but Griffith were in their element and were attacking when the bell rang.
Final Scores:-
 Griffith, 12 goals 10 behinds - 82 points; 
Yanco, 10 goals 7 behinds - 67 points.
Jack Haines was the best player on the ground. In every department  of the game he showed out to advantage. He was merited being carried off the field. 

To single out any of the other players would be a difficult task. Every Griffith player did serviceable work towards winning of the cup. Perhaps, J. Owen, Stevenson Bros., Polkinghorne, Kohn, Manning Bros., Wade and Anderson who walked 9 miles to play in the match could be mentioned as outstanding. 
Yanco were best served by Stall, Currey, Taylor Bros., and Thompson. 
R. Stall, Yanco's captain, had little to say after the match. He just remarked it was a nice friendly game.
(Murrumbidgee Irrigator - Friday September 17, 1926).