Match Report - Whitton Down By 150 Points

By JACK LUHRS

A brilliant display by captain-coach Len Sexton and ruckman Bill Biron spearheaded Griffith to 150 points win over Whitton on the first round of the South-West League competition at the Ex-Servicemen's Oval on Sunday.

Griffith won 26-23 (179) to 3-11 (29).

The framework of Griffith's scintillating display came from a great team game with each player fitting perfectly into a goal scoring machine that proved too fast, too determined and too well-conditioned for their opponents.

Biron and Sexton proved to be the cream in the top of the bottle for Griffith with Sexton kicking 11 of Griffith's 26 goals.

He ran the Whitton defence into each other attempting to counter his handling and elusiveness.

Completely ignoring the setbacks, they had suffered through the loss of key players Griffith unleashed a powerful team game eager to gain success from the opening bounce.

They had winners all-round the ground to fully delight what must be a record first round gate at Griffith.

With such a big gap in the final result, the home team naturally included the game's best players.

Besides Sexton and Biron, the list could be extended almost to the last Griffith player.

Change rovers Bill Tyndall and Les Collis excelled themselves with Collis probably returning his best-ever display for Griffith.

He kicked three goals in all and showed dash and cleverness around the packs.

Whitton were never allowed the opportunity to take control of the game.

Coach Frank Fitzpatrick kicked their only three goals and although he had his success in the rucks and dragged down some great marks, he lost ground in the weight of the opposition thrown against him.

Assisting in their long chase for match-winning points was a big tally of singles kicked by Whitton.

Determined defence and fiery play by Griffith tamed the Tigers attack.

Don Best pioneered much of the Griffith damage done to the Whitton forward moves.

The whole backline to a man combined perfectly, marked strongly and kicked accurately to springboard the continual Griffith attack.

Sexton, Biron, Bill and Bob Tyndall, Collis and Hathaway lurked up-field to stamp "finish" on the constant chances they had for scores.

The only other Whitton player to challenge Griffith's power was centreman Brian Weaven, their best player on the day.

Weaven showed his class with a constant desire to irritate the Griffith game.

Opposed to newcomer Norm Munro, Weaven roamed wide for his kicks whilst stay-at-home Munro in the centre continually drove the ball forward in his absence to return a cool and polished first-up display.

To perfect the Griffith day, promising second 18 player Malcolm Brauman selected as 20th man, came on during the final quarter after an injury to ruckman Kevin Luhrs, and in a clever burst of play kicked his first goal in senior football.

Indicative of Biron's clever palming of the ball in the ruck was his combination with his captain for Sexton to kick his tenth goal of the match.

From a boundary throw-in Biron palmed the ball over his head to Sexton unguarded infield and the Griffith skipper neatly drop-kicked a perfect shot at goal for full points.

Griffith led by 48 points on the first change, 71 points at half-way and 115 points on the final crossover.

Although the Tigers battled gamely, too much speed, combination and ability dropped them well behind in the run to victory.

Final scores: Griffith 26-23 (179), Whitton 3-11 (29).

Goalkickers: Griffith: Sexton 11, Bob Tyndall 4, Biron 3, Collis 3, Hathaway 2, Bill Tyndall 1, Luhrs 1, Brauman1. Whitton: Fitzpatrick 3.

Best players: Griffith: Sexton and Biron (equal best afield), Collis, Bill Tyndall, Munro, Best.

Whitton: Weaven, Fitzpatrick, Edwards, Dudley Dunbar.

The Area News - Tuesday, April 17, 1962