GRIFFITH CLUB NOTES by Neil Griggs 

SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" April 17, 1966 - No. 1 

Welcome to all fans, both one and two-eyed, to what we hope will be an enjoyable season.

After two seconds in a row the Red and Whites have their sights set on a premiership this year.

We have lost Cliff Hawkins, Ian Crewes and Don Best, but our gains include Malcolm Russell, Angie Maloni, John Fitzpatrick, Phil Nixon, John Peters, Bob Little and Gordon Browne and our confidence has been boosted with some good form in the trials.

Last Sunday saw a wonderful opening to the season at our oval when the game against Ainslie proved to be a beauty.

Ainslie's form indicated that Canberra will be a tough nut to crack on July 3.

Vic Hathaway took the trophy for the best player against Ainslie, and others to impress were Bob Little, Bob Spears and Kevin Kirkpatrick.

Our seconds, trialing 30 players, also promising form in their defeat of Weethalle. Under playing coach Rod Burgoyne big things are expected of this team this year.

Our thirds, as yet, have not had a game this season, but a big crowd of them are training enthusiastically and they, should do well.

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SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" April 24, 1966 - No. 2 

It was a bright and happy start to the season to register a hat trick of wins against Ariah Park-Mirrool last Sunday.

The senior game was a good, hard exhibition which, however, got a little too hard in the third quarter, when activity resembled half a dozen tag wrestling teams in action at one time, rather than a game of football.

Our best in the game were Vic Hathaway, Robert Munnerley, Bob Little and Kevin Kirkpatrick.

The 2nd XV111 game also saw some good football, with Griffith holding an early lead to the end. Coach Rod Burgoyne set a splendid example to his team and was well supported by John Mitchell.

The third 18 game was a runaway affair, Griffith winning 132 to 12, with Max Eldridge, Gary Owen and Trevor Phillis prominent. It was, however, the Bombers first game in this competition and they have our best wishes for a steady improvement.

To make it a really good week, our three schoolboy teams won their games on Saturday, making it six out of six for the Red and White.

Griffith schoolboy's officials for this year are President: Mr. E. Chinn and Hon. Secretary-Treasurer: Mr. W. R. Heffernan.

Our shortest trip - to Whitton today, and our sights are set on another two wins.

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SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" May 1, 1966 - No. 3 

After two wins at Whitton last Sunday makes it five in a row for new Club president, John Lane.

Hope he is not wondering how long this sort of thing has been going on for, undoubtedly, there will be some rocky patches ahead, which could put a different tilt to the borsolino.

A good game at Whitton, and the young Tigers should do well later on. Their very solid defence made our forwards really concentrate, with the result that for once goals led the points.

Another beauty from Bob Little, and "Cassius" Sexton, we also saw a better Angie Maloni while Kevin Kirkpatrick and Frank Conlan also did well.

The seconds won 76 to 3, but the game was tougher than these scores indicate, Whitton failing near goal. Ray Smith, John Kirkwood, Mick Bridges and Fearless Fred Gambell were our tops.

It was Black Saturday for the schoolboys, Narrandera winning all three games. With attendances getting bigger each day, schoolboy officials, however, are quite happy.

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SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" May 8, 1966 - No. 4 

It was sackcloth and ashes for the Griffith team last week after their debacle against Turvey Park and unless goalkicking improves it will just be ashes (of our hopes).

A score of 3-20 won't win many games, and it seems we will have to equip our forwards with some radar-like device if we hope to play at Narrandera on September 25th.

Turvey Park dished out a lesson in team play in the first half, and it wasn't until the benefit of those juicy steaks wore off that we got into the game.

We had our chance to win (with good kicking, of course) in the third quarter, but 2-9 was neither good kicking nor good football. Vic Hathaway was our best, with Bill Tyndall hitting top form again, also doing well.

Our seconds also suffered their first loss, but went down only after a determined fight. Best were John Kirkwood (making a strong bid for the firsts), Allan Norton-Baker and Max Eldridge.

The thirds, despite being a little awed by the size of their opponents, brought the only ray of sunshine with a good win, 48 to 6.

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SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" May 15, 1966 - No. 5 

After our poor showing against Turvey Park, our win at Ganmain was a real shot in the arm, and our 'friends' are back again.

It was anyone's game all day at Ganmain and perhaps we got the breaks at the right time, even to Bob Spears calling off his sit down strike prior to the game?

How do they do it? Here we are begging for a full forward and Ganmain bob up with a beauty in Pat Carroll to replace the injured Tom Carroll.

Bob Little, Vic Hathaway, Malcolm Russell and Kevin Kirkpatrick contributed a lot to our win, but it was also achieved by a splendid team effort.

Bill Biron did very well in his first game of the year and his rucking and high marking will be a big asset in future games.

Ganmain were too good in a solid second 18 game, although our last quarter rally caused their fans some uneasy moments.

Allan Norton-Baker was our best, with Ray Smith, Denny Dreyer and John Peters also prominent.

An unofficial 3rd 18 game was also won by Ganmain, with both teams well below top strength, and playing scrambly football.

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SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" May 22, 1966 - No. 6 

We had high hopes of inflicting Narrandera's first defeat, but not by such a convincing margin - that was a pleasant and heartening surprise.

The game was a hard, bruising affair, and the first aid men were kept working overtime, but there was only a couple of minor skirmishes.

Narrandera were unlucky to lose coach Eric Vinar, Stewart Hutchins and Gerry O'Brien, with leg injuries which could cause them to miss a game or two.

We also replaced Kevin Kirkpatrick and Bill Tyndall, but their injuries were only minor and they will be on deck again today.

Len Sexton, who was playing his one hundredth consecutive game, was honoured in a fitting way as the teams took the field prior to the game.

Really good efforts from John Foley, Sid Robins and Gordon Browne kept Narrandera's big three - Phillip Wines, Peter Box and Geoff Sharp - in check most of the day, and played a big part in our win. It was another grand team effort, with probably Kevin Kirkpatrick, Mal Russell, Bob Little and Vic Hathaway most noticeable.

Our seconds team couldn't settle down early, and Narrandera won the game by 14 points.

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SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" June 5, 1966 - No. 7 

After three tough games in a row, the Griffith players appreciated the slight easing up in training occasioned by the comp break last Sunday, and should be fit and fresh for today's visit to Coolamon.

Last week, if fat, was party week - the 1st XV111 one night disposed of a couple of niners (donations for recent wins); the seconds had a barbecue and niner, and the thirds a Pie Night and lolly water.

A great day at Yerong Creek was only spoilt by the loss of the main game, but the SWDFL certainly had plenty chances, and the Farrer League were worthy winners.

The Yerong Creek ground was in wonderful condition and an eye-opener to most SWDFL visitors. Our six reps - Kevin Kirkpatrick, Bob Little, Malcolm Russell, Len Sexton, John Foley and Bob Munnerley - all figured prominently in their games and despite Danny's Dirge it is very doubtful if any "available" members of the temporary top team could have filled their places as well.

For the information of the Narrandera "Natterer" (no offence intended), a stretcher was rejected by Narrandera trainers at Griffith.

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SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" June 12, 1966 - No. 8 

We had hopes of a hat trick at Coolamon last Sunday, after winning the first two games, but John Fisher's Flyers had other ideas.

While we naturally were disappointed, it was pleasing to see the Greens come good - they and the other winners on Sunday should now get a new lease of life, and add more interest to the comp.

Kevin Kirkpatrick was our best, with good support from Len Sexton, Frank Conlan, Fred Gambell.

Vic Hathaway missed his first comp game for a long time with injury, while Bill Tyndall was a late withdrawal - both were greatly missed. Congratulations to John Fitzpatrick on attaining his majority.

After playing so-so (not quite the word used by their coach) our seconds really came good in the last two quarters to beat Coolamon easily by 75 points.

Our 3rd 18 also had an easy win - 102 to 12. Best was Phillip Smith, John Crump (hangover and all), Gary Owen and Les Hodson.

With the schoolboy teams winning three games on Saturday, it was quite a good weekend, with only the top team having to hang their heads.

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SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" June 19, 1966 - No. 9 

There are four very pleased men (the SWDFL reps) in Griffith after last Sunday's game. It was no wonder they were happy, for their anxiety was quickly dispelled as the team turned in one of their best exhibitions of the year to register a percentage boosting win.

The senior members of the team (those who were left) really rose to the occasion with a special mention going to Bill Biron, Mal Brauman, John Foley and Angie Maloni.

The South West selectors last minute "steal" of "Secco" may have done us a good turn, for in the last minute re-shuffle, Gordon Browne, over his wog, came back into the team, switched from full back to full forward and the re-organized attack went well enough to indicate Brownie could be the answer to our problems.

Our seconds also had a big win, but again they only played well for half a game, and will need more sustained efforts against the top teams.

Congratulations to our four representatives in Monday's SWDFL team. They merited selection and were proud of it.

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SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" June 26, 1966 - No. 10 

With Len Sexton and John Foley absentees and Bob Little off after five minutes of play, things didn't look too bright for us at Ariah Park but will-to-win carried the team to victory after a tough game.

The Big Three - Bill Biron, Bob Spears and Mal Brauman - set the pace and the rest responded well.

John Higgins, who came on for Bob Little, turned in his best game to date and obviously has benefited from earlier experience. Bob, incidentally, suffering from a split finger from a kick, the injury requiring a stitch or two, but will be OK for today's game.

The second and third 18's games were also close and hard fought and we had to struggle all day to register the hat trick of wins.

The seconds just scrambled home, with Terry O'Connor, John Mitchell and John Crump playing a big part in the 4-point win.

Paddy O'Connell did an excellent job of umpiring this game, but one out of three for the day was a poor average.

The goal umpires were not over-worked in the thirds game, Griffith winning 4-7 to 2-4. Our best was Phillip Smith, Les Hodson and Terry Overs.

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SWANS CLUB NOTES: "The Aussie Ruler" July 10, 1966 - No. 11 

Canberra provided quite a shock last Sunday when they gave the South West a football lesson in fast backing-up and non-stop play.

We, at Griffith, saw a somewhat similar exhibition in a trial game against Ainslie, and while not anticipating such a crushing defeat, we expected some bright, lively football from the visitors. They were a little too lively, however.

Although he contributed quite a lot to our defeat, it was pleasing to see the inimitable "Killer" Crewes in such good form.

It was hard to sort out the two best players - Canberra had too many, and SWDFL too few.

Ray Dawson was a reasonable selection as South West's best, but the judge's vote to ruckman Kerry Jelbart as Canberra's was a shock, as 99 per cent. had Alex Jesaulenko (No. 20) as tops of the day.

Most of the excitement and real interest of the day came from the early NRL v. CRL game, which certainly had the crowd on its toes in the thrilling last quarter.

Players and supporters at a social on Saturday night farewelled Malcolm Brauman prior to his starting his National Service training. Our most consistent player, Mal will be a big loss to the team.