LIONS BRUSH SWANS ASIDE TO TAKE RFL CROWN 

A spirited Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong brushed aside Griffith's feeble attempt to recapture premiership glory when the Lions won an emotion charged Riverina Football League grand final by 38 points at Narrandera Sportsground. The Lions, who last won a premiership in 1984, avenged their 73-point second semi-final loss inflicted by the Swans with an all-the-way 16.10 (106) to 10.8 (68) victory.
Griffith were chasing its first premiership since last winning the title, in the old South West League, way back in 1968. The Swans last played in a grand final was in 1972. But once again the Swans were sent packing - this time by a more committed GGGM side that showed aggression at the ball and more determination in its bid to cap a fine season. Yesterday's grand final was a spiteful match and both teams showed their willingness early in the game with several physical clashes arousing the large crowd which paid a record $19,800 at the gate.
Griffith captain-coach Les Parish was charged with striking GGGM halfback flanker Lewis Winter after clashing 15 minutes into the second quarter. GGGM Quinn Medal winner Jed Lawton had his number taken for allegedly striking Griffith rover Jamie Bennett, one of the Swans' best, in the opening quarter. And Griffith centre half forward Darrell Collins, who was in doubt all week with an illness, was carried from the ground 10 minutes into the first quarter after a heavy tackle by Lions' centre halfback Wayne Brown. Collins, who was badly concussed, took no further part in the game and was treated by ambulance officers at the ground. 
GGGM captain-coach and centreman Tony Hughes was delighted with the pressure his players applied at crucial stages of the match. "We didn't have one passenger out their today," Hughes said. "The pressure we applied and the boys' determination all came together. "Our backline was tremendous - they ran all day. "I told everyone before the game we had to play it up the middle and keep at the ball. It just wasn't our big name players doing the work today - we had everyone contributing."
Hughes believes the Lions' second semi-final loss to Griffith went a long way towards preparing the  players for a mentally tough two weeks. "We lost to Griffith but combined well in the preliminary final and we beat Tigers by 68 points," Hughes said. "I believe today's win is just a flow on from that win against Tigers. We built up in that game and the momentum carried on through today."
Parish, always disappointed with a loss, was confident his players had learned from the experience of losing a grand final. "It's a hard way to learn - it's very disappointing to lose the grand final," Parish said. "But sometimes you have to taste the hurt of defeat to know how great it is to win."
Parish recognised the Lions for their effort they put into the match. "They were far more committed than us," he said. "Things we tried didn't come off - things they tried did. "I thought our backline played very well. We got some good running from there but broke down in the forward line. Apart from Shane Ruyg we didn't really have an effective forward. He tried to get them moving up there."
The Lions had several players featuring throughout the game. Rovers Jamie Crozier, the best player afield, Shane Lenon capitalised on the solid ruck work by John Lawton. Lenon played a loose man in defence and on the ball and gathered 29 possessions with Crozier (22 possessions) and ruck rover Jed Lawton (31) key players in providing constant drive. 
The Lions last line nullified Griffith's attack. Glenn Evans at fullback and back pockets Damien Carroll and David Logan cleared effectively all day. Halfback flanker Jason Hamblin also generated play from the backline.
Centre halfback Wayne Brown was up there with the best of them, teenage wingman Daniel McPherson enjoyed a top duel with Swans' Joe Agresta while centre half forward Stephen Carroll and full forward Mick Walsh sparked forward movements. Half forward flanker David Currie bagged five goals from as many attempts to cap off a top finals series while Hughes worked hard in the centre against Parish.
Mark Carroll, included in the side as 20th man ahead of Anthony Quinn on Saturday morning, came on for Winter who left the ground after a clash with Parish. Winter took no further part in the game. ... to be continued ... page missing.  (By Stephen Shaw - The Daily Advertiser, Monday, September 30, 1991).