Swans On Screen
HISTORY IN RED AND WHITE
2025 RFNL SEASON
Apr 5 CWD (h) Apr 12 CR (a) Apr 26 WT (h) May 3 NI (a) May 10 GGGM (h) May 17 MCUE (h) May 24 LW (a) May 31 bye Jun 14 TP (h)
Jun 21 CWD (a) Jun 28 WT (a) Jul 5 CR (h) Jul 12 GGGM (a) Jul 19 MCUE (a) Jul 26 NI (h) Aug 2 LW (h) Aug 9 bye Aug 16 TP (a)
Finals - Aug 23 QF1 Aug 23 EF Aug 30 SF2 Aug 30 SF1 Sep 6 PF Sep 13 GF
Women Football Netball Player Stats Ladders Swans Awards RFNL Awards One Season to Forget
PLAYER TRANFERS FOR 2025
In: Michael Agnew (Labrador), Ben Browning (CSU Bushpigs), Brady Colvin (Morton Bay), Matt Devery (Barellan United), Ben Dinning (Robe), Tom Podbury (Balmain), Luke Trembath (Barellan United), Alex Williamson (Heathcote).
Out: Riley Andreazza, Michael Andruszkiewicz, Tom Bartter and Sam Daniel (Coleambally), Tom Baxter (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs), Isaac Conlan (Albury Tigers), Henry Delves (retired), James Girdler (Griffith Waratahs RL), Tom Jamieson (Barellan United), Cooper Kilpatrick (UNSW-Eastern Suburbs), Riley Lucas, Harry Morel (Leeton-Whitton), Heath Northey (retired), Dan Peruzzi (Coleambally), Tom Powell (retired), Nathan Richards and Jack Rowston (Corowa-Rutherglen), Kieran Ruyg (Caloundra), Tom Tyson.
LOYALTY MAJOR FACTOR IN BIG DECISION FOR DUO TO RETURN - by Jimmy Meiklejohn
LOYALTY to Griffith and an obligation to lead the resurgence have resulted in Nathan Richards and Jack Rowston returning home for next season. The news of the duo's return to Exies Oval was met with great excitement last week, the pair returning home to Griffith after just one single season in the Ovens and Murray League competition.
For Richards after seeing the Swans struggle this past season, returning home became a non-negotiable for the 2024 Jim Quinn Medallist. "As much as I loved my time down at Corowa-Rutherglen, home is where the heart is," Richards said. "With all the hardship that we went through the year, where we were sort of struggling a bit, this is where I had to be. "I had to come back to try and get us back on track next year."
Initially planning on a two-year stint in the O&M, Richards said it was about midway during the season that he realised that he'd be back in the red and white in 2026. "Initially, the plan was to do it for two years, and after that I would see from there," he said. I was following how we were going in the RFL this year, and I was trying to keep up as much as I could with the boys. "When it got to mid-year, I found myself constantly checking in to see how they were going. I was always wanting to know updates.
"When it came to making a decision, that was what pushed me over the line to come back to Griffith. "I know home is where the heart is, I want to make sure we are in a good place for years to come. "We want to progress and continue to get better, and ultimately, get that September success."
Spending a lot of time in the car with Rowston during the season, Richards said the pair found Griffith became a pretty regular topic of conversation. "We spent a lot of time travelling together," he said. "We'd talk about what's going on in our competition in the O&M, and then after that, we'd talk about who's going well in the RFL. "We were right around what's going on back home, and we had a good idea of who was going well and who Griffith was coming against that weekend. "This is home for us, and we couldn't keep ourselves away from knowing what was going on, and we were making sure we were in the loop."
Rowston and Richards both more than held their own in the O&M, the duo regularly featuring among Corowa-Rutherglen's best players. Richards was full of praise for the competition, noting it took him a while to get used to the rise in standard. "The O&M is a serious competition; there's a lot of talent getting through there," he said. "The first month, especially was really difficult, trying to change my game style to suit the O&M style of football. "In the RFL, I'd played that league for many years, I knew my role and how to play it, but down there it's a competition where you have to earn every kick. "You just can't wait and hope for it, you've got to work seriously hard for your own pill, it'd definitely a step ahead. "But I loved it and enjoyed my time down there with Corowa."
While not enjoying a lot of success this past season, Richards was confident the Swans could very shortly be a contender once again. "We are a young club and there are a lot of good players coming through our system," he said. "We are a club with a lot of pride, not that we've been able to get over the line in our last few grand final appearances. "I think a lot of people are going to write us off straight away, going off this past season, but I think with a big pre-season, we'll have the side to have a real go." Source - The Daily Advertiser, Friday, September 19, 2025.
COACH BIDS FAREWELL TO THE DUGOUT - by Liam Warren
HAVING been in the Griffith Swans top coaching job since 2021, Greg Dreyer has made the decision that 2025 will be his final season in the dugout. Having been in the job for five years and having the role in a full capacity at late notice this season, Dreyer felt the time was right for him to be moving on and let another take the post. "It wasn't meant to be as much this year, it was meant to be Sammy Daniel, but then he had to step away for personal reasons," he said. "I think it's time for the club to get a new voice and continue to build on this year."
It has been a tough season for the Swans, which was rounded out by a round trip to Turvey Park on the weekend. With the Bulldogs bound for finals, they were in good form and were able to get out to a 31-point lead at the main break after kicking six goals to three in the first half.
The home side continued to kick away with a 12.18 (90) to 5.4 (34) win over the Swans. Bailey Morrissey kicked three goals for the Swans while Oliver Bartter and Kahlan Spencer kicked on major each.
While recognising it has been a difficult season, Dreyer said it's a cycle the club will find its way out of. "I think we debuted eight blokes this year," he said. "It's just a cycle that we have been in that we are trying to stop and have a bit more stability in the club with all our juniors, so we don't have the peaks and troughs and can be more consistent. "It's probably about building on this group, assuming a lot of them are going to stay and get a little bit of recruiting over the summer and improve on this year,"
Dreyer pointed to the run in 2023, which saw the side finish with a grand final appearance as the highlight of his tenure, given the work put in to forming the squad over the previous two seasons. "Those first three years from '21-'23, we had a pretty young group which we started together," he said. Had some key recruiting and were able to put the pieces together, and then to play in a grand final was a highlight, the result not so much. Just to go through those three years and have a plan and go through together."
In a social post, the Swans paid credit to the hard work of Dreyer over his five -year stint as first grade coach. "On the field, he has driven high standards - demanding effort, discipline, and pride in the jumper," the statement said. "Off the field, he's been just as influential, building a culture of respect, commitment, and mate ship that has strengthened the fabric of this club. "Fifty, your leadership, loyalty, and dedication will be felt here for many years to come. "You leave behind a stronger club, a united playing group, and a legacy that every Swan can be proud of."
Source - The Area News, Saturday August 23, 2025. Greg Dreyer's senior coaching record - 2021-25: won 29, lost 53, draw 1, one grand final.
CHANGES TO JUNIOR AND UNDERAGE COMPETITIONS - by Jimmy Meiklejohn
AFL Riverina has revealed upcoming changers being made to the junior age groups and Farrer and Riverina Leagues underage competitions for next season. In both the Wagga and District and South West juniors' competitions, competition age groups will transition from 11's, 13's and 15's to 12's, 14's and 16's.
Both junior leagues will also play host to under 10's competition which will be non-competitive. The Riverina League's underage competition will transition into an under 18's competition from next season, while the Farrer League will also rise to become 18.5's.
Source - The Area News, Saturday July 19, 2025.
MID-YEAR REVIEW ON GRIFFITH - by Jimmy Meiklejohn
Position: Last (4 points, 33.45%)
Pre-season prediction: Last
This season so far: Just the sole win to date for the Swans in 2025 in what is most definitely is a rebuilding year for Griffith. While there have been some heavy defeats at the hands of Coolamon, Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong and Turvey Park, they're also showed plenty of positive signs in other games. The five-point loss at home against Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes is definitely the one that got away, while they potentially let a win slip against local rivals Leeton-Whitton back in round seven. Their three-goal win on the road against Narrandera in round four is definitely the highlight of the season to date.
Who's impressed: Kahlan Spencer - The Swans captain has led from the front in what has been a difficult season so far for Griffith.
Spencer has taken on the leadership role with aplomb, and he's taken his game to the next level. Consistently among their most influential players in the midfield, Spencer is putting together a very impressive individual season for the Swans. He should be the current leader in Griffith's best and fairest count after a strong run of games to open the 2025 season.
The run home: I'd be lying if I said that the Swans don't have a fairly arduous run of games to finish the season. Away games against final contenders Collingullie-Wagga, Wagga Tigers, Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes and Turvey Park have the possibilities to get ugly, especially as the top sides look to maintain their healthy percentages heading into the finals. In a massive boost though, they get to play host to both Narrandera and Leeton-Whitton at Exies Oval which bodes as their biggest opportunities to nab a second win this season. I feel the Swans will do just enough to avoid the wooden spoon.
Mid-season prediction: Eighth.
Source - The Daily Advertiser, Thursday June 19, 2025.
Q&A WITH MASON ROSENGREEN
Jimmy Meiklejohn, of The Daily Advertiser pops a few questions to Griffith's Mason Rosengreen on how he thinks the Swans will look like in this coming 2025 season.
What's one aspect of your game you'd like to improve upon this season?
"I talked to Fifty (Greg Dreyer) about it at the end of last season and I think it's just learning to read the play more. Sometimes I get caught out sort of ball watching but also trying to organise the team instead of looking at what my player is doing. Probably a little more game awareness is definitely what I took out of the season and a bit of strength in my game as well. I've been trying to get to the gym as much as possible this pre-season and get a bit of mass on me a little bit just so that I can hold my ground a bit during the game."
This will be your third full season at first grade level, do you feel you're now starting to find your feet at senior level?
'Yeah 100 per cent. It's been good having a nice strong group around me and even though Nathan (Richards) and Jack (Rowston) are leaving they still are part of the family. You can still call on them at training when they are there and they are still great role models. Having them around me the whole time really made it comfortable for me to move up into a leadership position. It makes it really easy to become more involved."
Obviously, it was a bit of a shock at the end of last year with the news that Jack and Nath were moving on. How was the feeling amongst the group after that?
"Everyone was a bit like 'our captain and our dominating ruckman are leaving, we've sort of been put in a hole here'. But it's a new opportunity for them and they are still young, if they leave it any longer then it'll become harder for them. I think it's perfect timing for both of them. I work with Jack so I talk with him a lot and definitely think it's the best thing for them. They are rising players and I reckon they've done the right thing. There's nothing stopping them from coming back to the club, we'll be there with open arms for when they do."
How do you feel is in for a big season?
"I reckon Willem Vaessen; he'll be hot on the track this season. I reckon he'll be one of our key backman this year and he'll definitely have a big roll to fill. Blake Aloisi is hopefully going to take up the ruck position, he'll have a big job ahead of him and I reckon he'll do an awesome job at it."
What do you feel a pass mark would be?
"I reckon just building the side as a team, that's all this season is. Becoming more of a club and more family to everyone rather than just a sport on the side. I guess it's a building block this season as we've lost players, and we've gained a few through people moving to Griffith. I reckon we're still in for a strong season. Although Jack and Nathan have left, we just can't throw the season in a hole. We've still got to throw everything at this season and go in as hard as we can even though we have lost so much."
DANIEL'S DONE WITH SWANS - by Jimmy Meiklejohn
GRIFFITH has announced that Sam Daniel will not be continuing in his senior co-coaching role effective immediately. In a statement posted to social media on Thursday afternoon, the Swans announced that Greg Dreyer would take over the sole coaching duties for first grade for the upcoming Riverina League season.
"We would like to inform our members and supporters that, due to personal circumstances, Sam Daniel will not be continuing in his role as senior co-coach, effective immediately," the statement read. "Moving forward, Greg Dreyer will once again take on the role of senior coach, supported by a group of well-respected club members and past players who will step in to assist."
After having been assistant coach and coaching reserve grade in recent years, the club had announced Daniel as the first-grade coach alongside Dreyer for the 2025 season in August last year.
The upcoming season will be Dreyer's fifth year at the helm of the Swans at first grade level. Griffith Swans declined to comment on the coaching change when approached by The Daily Advertiser on Thursday.
Source - Weekend Advertiser - Saturday, February 15, 2025.
SWANS SIGN EXPERIENCED MIDFIELDER FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA
by Jimmy Meiklejohn
GRIFFITH has continued their solid build ahead of the upcoming season with addition of South Australian midfielder Ben Dinning. Dinning arrives at the Swans from Robe in the Mid South Eastern Football League. Prior to that he spent quite a few years at North Eastern Football League club South Clare.
The 25-year old's arrival follows the addition of Ben Browning and Sam Foley so far this off-season.
Griffith co-coach Sam Daniel said the club was delighted to have Dinning on board. "I think the past few years we haven't struggled getting recruits," Daniel said. "But getting recruits that live in town has been pretty tricky, it seems to be the way that travelling players are getting more common. "To get someone's of Ben's calibre, being a good person and moving to town is a great result for us."
After getting the heads up that Dinning was making a move to Griffith, Daniel said the club made contact and he was very keen to join the Swans. "We got his number and had a chat with him, and he was really keen to come aboard," he said. "His partner Kristen is a paramedic and got posted to Griffith, they'll be making the move in a couple of weeks."
Dinning arrives in Griffith with a fair bit of experience behind him and Daniel said he would be a great addition to the side. "He'll adds a fair bit," he said. "He's a mid-sized midfielder and he was runner-up best and fairest in a grand final year in South Australia.
"We haven't had a big look at him, but I think those sorts of credentials speak for themselves. "He's certainly in that golden period of your football career and he's been involved in a successful side. "We think he'll be a really valuable asset to our midfield, and he'll bring a lot to our young group."
In addition to getting Dinning on board, the Swans recently announced the return of Paddy Payne who returned a breakout season for the Swans in 2023, and Daniel said it was great to have a club junior back on board in the red and white. "We're super excited, he said. "It's always great when you are bringing back local juniors and Paddy obviously had a fantastic year with us in 2023.
When he's up and going there's not many that can stop him in the air, to get a genuine target around centre half forward will really straighten us up. "He will still have to manage some games with his university commitments as he's still living in Melbourne.
But to get a local junior back is fantastic and he's training for a 100km trail run at the moment, so he's in unbelievable nick which is even better."
Daniel also confirmed the Swans' Sydney contingent wouldn't be returning. "Heath Northey has retired and Lucas Riley unfortunately had that really bad double-broken jaw in our last game of the year," he said.
"We were looking at Tom Baxter, Cooper Kilpatrick and Tom Tyson coming back, but the travel was just too much for them in the end. They had a great time, and they were considering coming back, but the travel was just too much for them. "It's obviously disappointing to lose them from a talent point of view, but what that does give us is an opportunity to have our whole playing group at training every week which I think will have benefits.
Source - The Daily Advertiser - Thursday January 30, 2025.
