SWDFL GRAND FINAL REPORT 

NARRANDERA ARE 1972 CHAMPS - By Neil Griggs

Narrandera Imperials, the S.W.D.F.L. minor premiers proved conclusively at the Narrandera Sportsground that they are the best team in the competition when they score a most impressive 50 points win over Griffith Swans in the grand final.
Only in the first quarter which was played at a sparkling tempo by both teams and in which Griffith outscored Narrandera 22-16, did the game provide much of an interest for the large crowd of spectators.
In the other three quarters it was virtually a matter of the Swans receiving a lesson in fast play-on football although for two short lived sessions - one the third quarter and the other at the start of the last quarter when the Swans lifted their game and seemed as if they may trouble the Imperials.
Narrandera however under the inspiring example and leadership of captain-coach Jeff Hemphill had all the answers to any Griffith challenge and they finished much the better to gain a decisive victory.
On the day there is no doubt that the Imperials were the better team and fully merited their 50-point win, but at the same time it must be acknowledged that the Griffith team generally did not play well and had far too many passengers for a premiership team.
By winning this main game plus the second and third 18 games, Narrandera made S.W.D.F.L. history when they became the first team to win all three premierships.
Conditions were ideal when the teams took to the ground for the main game and the game started at a lively pace with both teams showing plenty of spirit but without any sign of spite or undue fire.
The Swans were first to settle down and a strong attack produced a single by Ron Russell and a goal by Victor Wilson before the eight-minute, smart play between Jeff Hemphill and Rodney McCallum got the ball to Victor Hugo for Narrandera's opening goal.
The Narrandera defence was playing close, tight football but could not check all the Griffith attacking moves and a further single and a goal by Roger Thom indicated the Swans were going to carry on with the good football they showed by defeating Coolamon in the preliminary final.
Strong ruckwork was beginning to pay dividends for Narrandera and a strong attack yielded two singles and a goal by Hugo.
A strong clearance by Harry Sanson through Russell and Wilson gave Phillip Botten an easy chance but he was off target for a single.
From the kick out Narrandera strung into a strong drive but solid defence restricted their scoring to two points before Griffith came back strongly with Richard Milne and Kevin Kirkpatrick in the van and with a single to Darryl Collis and a goal from Garry Owen, they went to a six-point quarter time lead.
The many Griffith Swans supporters anticipating further good play from their team were sadly disappointed for the Imperials took complete charge in the second quarter and laid solid foundations for their win with some brilliant football.
The Griffith defence was temporarily rattled but steadied and for five minutes the Swans were in attack but could not crack the solid defence with haphazard thrusts.
John Candusso badly missed a rolling ball and let McCallum in for an easy goal and a single by Hugo and a goal by Hemphill gave Narrandera a very handy lead 54-point lead at the half time break 57-23.
Griffith came out after the long break to show a lot more purpose and determination but wasted many scoring chances with poor and uncertain play in front of goal.
The only fiery incident of the game - a flare up between bout 12 players was a short-lived affair and did nothing to unsettle either team.
Narrandera attacked strongly for a goal by Hemphill and a single but then five Griffith players combined brilliantly to launch an attack that returned a goal by Russell and two points for a three-quarter time score, Narrandera  71 to Griffith 45.
Griffith opened the last quarter with determined effort to pull the game out of the fire, but they found the Imperial defence in grand form and eight minutes of constant attack yielded one goal from Martin Jackson.
From then on Narrandera began to assert their superiority. Three goals by McCallum in ten minutes put Narrandera in an unchallengeable position.
Griffith was still battling trying to keep in the game. but they broke down badly in attack, spraying kicks everywhere and could only add a further three singles. Towards the finish  Narrandera's coach Jeff Hemphill took two great marks for two goals to end the game,  Narrandera 15.14 (104) to Griffith 7.12 (54).  (The Area News - Monday, September 11, 1972).