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1971 SEASON
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GRAND FINAL PREVIEW
Youngsters want to win more - says Ron Russell
Ron Russell, captain coach of the Griffith Swans, said yesterday his team on Sunday will have one major factor in its favour when it meets Leeton in Sunday's South West League grand final at Narrandera.
Russell said that all but four of his players had been brought up through the ranks of schoolboy football and they had developed a determination not found in paid players.
He said he could expect more from his unpaid players than if they were getting money for their football.
He considered that the weather on Sunday would be a big factor.
"The last time we played Leeton they began cramping badly in the last quarter."
"We will be hoping for a temperature of about 60-65 degrees.
Leeton tend to reply on a few players, while we will play as a team," Russell said.
Russell said the Swans on Sunday will be relying on speed and teamwork.
"We didn't play well against them in the last encounter, and we will definitely start the underdogs.
Ralph, Sid and Wayne Robins, Bruce Forbes and Phillip Smith will bring out the best in the Griffith side," Russell said.
"If the ground is wet, Griffith will be cut back a bit," he said. "One of Leeton's strengths is in their marking.
Last time they beat us 106-49. "A lot of people didn't believe this, but it was true."
In the second semi final Griffith went down to Leeton by 27 points, but in the last home and away game Griffith won by 28 points, Russell said. Leeton, before they go into the final, have a trip at the end of the season while the Griffith side has nothing he said.
"We will then have more to fight for - because the flag is all we will get."
Leeton's coach says
Leeton's captain coach Doug Campbell, the man who has taken his side from the wooden spoon to a grand final berth in one season, believes Griffith does not combine well enough as a team to win the grand final.
Griffith has some fine footballers and my team-mates and myself respect them.
"They all played well in the final against Grong Grong-Matong, but they will have a different type of pressure on them in the grand final."
"Many times, this year Griffith best players haven't fired."
"With the grand final pressure, I think players like Sid Robins will be left with the bag.
Russell fired well last week, but that was only because he was allowed to get away."
Campbell said he considered Sid Robins and Mal Brauman would be the main obstacles for Leeton.
"These are the type of footballer who never stop trying and both are going to be headaches.
Griffith does have a weak spot at fullback. Wade certainly does his best, but I don't think he is any match for our full forward.
"Leeton's greatest strength is with Jim Ewing at centre half back and Peter Slattery at centre half forward.
"Ewing is in top form, has a great amount of ability and should be too strong for Bruce Forbes.
"I think the game will be won and lost through the half back lines.
"Griffith has a good combination of Prenzel, Robins and Candusso, but I think Leeton has the best half back line in the league.
"It is on these lines that there is based the springboard of attack."
Campbell also said he considered the creative play of Peter Slattery would be a big factor in Leeton's win. "Slats is a very creative player."
However, he thought Sid Robins' spoiling tactics could prove troublesome.
"Slats, when spoiled for the mark, never gets the speed up to go in after the ball once it has hit the ground."
"Robins, on the other hand goes in from all directions and usually manages to do something with the ball."
During the week Leeton's training has concentrated on ball handling, shooting for goal under pressure and players running quickly off one another using handball. "And there are a few other things I don't think I'll disclose," Doug said.
Source - The Griffith Times, Friday September 17, 1971.
THE SWANS PROFILE
RON RUSSELL: 22 years, 5ft. 9in., 12st. 7lbs. From Sunshine VFA. First year as coach, doing splendid job with young team. Rover. Fast and strong. Long kick.
DARRYL COLLIS: 22 years. 5ft. 9ins, 11st. 5lbs. Centre. Fast, lively player. Good ball handler. Safe mark.
SID ROBINS: 25 years. 6ft. 11st. 7lbs. Centre half back. Very reliable, seldom beaten. Good mark and kick.
RALPH ROBINS: 23 years. 6ft. 12st. 3lbs. Foward. Good handy footballer. Good mark and kick.
NOEL EVANS: 25 years. 5ft 9ins. 12st 6lbs. Former Barellan-Binya player. Half back flank. Safe and reliable, who defends strongly.
RICHARD MILNE: 24 years. 5ft 9 ins. 12st 7lbs. Ex Whitton winger. Uses pace to advantage. Good mark. Long driving kick.
WAYNE ROBINS: 21 years. 6ft. 12st. 2lbs. The third of the Robins brothers in the team. Ruckman. Very effective in the back pocket.
BOB PRENZEL: 22 years. 5ft. 9ins. 12st. 9lbs. Fast and liverly. Good mark and kick. Safe handler.
JOHHN CANDUSSO: 19 years. 5ft. 10 ins. 11st. 9lbs. Half back flanker. Fast and uses pace to advantage. Good handler. Safe mark. Long kick.
GEORGE DUNCAN: 19 years. 5ft. 10ins. 11st 7lbs. Back pocket. Safe and reliable defender who has shown steady improvement this season.
IAN WADE: 17 years. 5ft 11ins. 12st. Fuulback. First year player showing great potential. Never stops trying. Good mark. Kicking could improve.
BRUCE FORBES: 24 years. 5ft. 10 ins. 12st. 7lbs. Centre half forward. Dynamic player who can lift the team.
VIC WILSON: 16 years. 5ft. 11ins. 11st. Forward, centre wing. Handy adaptable player. Safe mark & kick.
MAL BRAUMAN: 26 years. 6ft. 12st. 7lbs. Strong lively player. God mark. Good kick.
JOHN HIGGINS: 24 years. 6ft. 2 ins. 12st. 5lbs. Ruckman. Solid effective player on the ball. Very handy in forwards.
RICHARD DALWOOD: 16 years. 6ft. 12st. First year, Up and coming ruckman who should have a big future.
PHIL SMITH: 22 years. 6ft. 13st. 2lbs. Full forward. Ruckman. Good strong player. Big mark and accurate kick.
NOEL BROWN: 21years. 5ft. 7ins. 10st. 10lbs. Rover forward. Good lively player who shows lots of potential.
GARRY GARDNER: 19 years. 5ft. 10ins. 9st. 4lbs. Forward, rover. Smart lively player. Good ball handler.
GARRY OWEN: 21 years. 5ft. 5ins. 10st. 8lbs. Rover. Lively, spirited player. Good handler. Effective in attack.
JOHN FOLEY: 27 years. 5ft. 11ins. 12st. Centre or forward. Strong tenacious player. Good mark. Safe kick.
THE REDLEGS PROFILE
DOUG CAMPBELL: 25 years, 6ft 2ins, 14st. 1lb. Captain-coach. Joined Leeton this year from Turvey Park. Asst. coach also at Nathalia, played with North Heidelberg, Port Melbourne in the VFA. Rep. South West in past three years. A strong ruckman who can give his rovers an armchair ride.
PETER SLATTERY: 23 years, 6ft., 14st. 1lb. Creative centre half forward. Joined the Redlegs from Coolamon as asst. coach. Hails from Mortlake (Hampden League). Rep. Hampden League and South West. Runner-up best and fairest at Mortlake. Best and fairest for Caramut in Minenara League.
GEOFF TUCKETT: 27 years, 6ft., 14st. 3lbs. Well-known and respected. Geoff has been with the Redlegs for many years. Strong kick and reliable full back. Represented South West on three occasions.
CHARLIE CORBETT: 23 years, 5ft. 7ins, 11st. 3lbs. Determined back pocket. Played for Leeton for three years after temporary lay-off after schoolboys' football. Has played for Wangaratta.
GREG LUHRS: 20 years, 5ft. 11 ins., 12st. 7lbs. Ruck rover. A strong mark. Greg has progressed through schoolboys to become a regular First Grader.
JIM EWING: 20 years, 6ft. 1ins, 12st. 10lbs. Brilliant centre half back capable of taking the big mark and displays great football sense. Formerly played with Warrnambool. Rep. Warrnambool District.
JIM LYONS: 22 years, 5ft 11ins, 12st. 7lbs. Member of the well-known Lyons family. Previously a key forward, now a good half back flanker. Came from Barellan in 1967. Barellan League best and fairest in 1964.
JOHN EVANS: 19 years, 5ft 11ins, 12st. Playing the most consistent football of his career. Not a flashy player but rarely allows his opposition any kicks. In his second year with the Redlegs.
ALLAN GRAY: 29 years, 6ft., 14 st. Joined Leeton in 1969. Formerly Turvey Park player 1963-64. Coached Eastern Suburbs 1966. East Wagga 1968. Can play most positions but was formerly a tough backman. Likes the rough play.
ALAN DUDLEY: 22 years, 5ft 11ins, 13st 7lb. Came to Leeton in 1968 from Numurkah in the Murray League. Won Leeton best first year player in 1968. A robust ruck rover who doesn't shirk the hard stuff. Coach of Leeton 3rd Grade for last two seasons.
BRIAN HOGAN: 21 years, 5ft 9ins, 10st. Joined Leeton in 1969 from Barellan. Barellan League rep. A rover of top-class last year. Through injury has not played consistent First Grade this year.
MAX JAMIESON: 26 years, 5ft 8ins, 11st 3lbs. From Barellan. Max joined the Redlegs in 1969 and has held the centre spot ever since. A player with a big heart who goes nonstop for the whole match.
DES WHELAN: 20 years, 5ft 9ins, 10st. 7lbs. Came to Leeton in 1970. Formerly a Wakool player. Won Leeton best utility player award last season. Adaptable player. Mainly plays half forward, rover and is improving in every game.
GRAHAM HARRISON: 22 years, 5ft 10ins, 11st 3lbs. From Yanco, in the Barellan League where he won the League's best and fairest in 1969. A prolific kick getter and magical ball handler. "Bones" is the ideal wing getter.
LOU ALCHIN: 26 years, 5ft 11ins, 11st 11lbs. Leeton product. Well-known wingman. Very safe mark. Has rep. South West on eight occasions. Coached Coleambally, Barellan League, in 1970. Won Leeton's best and fairest award.
GREG LASHBROOK: 23 years, 5ft 10ins, 11st 7lb. One of the most dangerous half forward flankers in the league. A brilliant mark and deadly accurate kick. Has rep. South West on two occasions. Player capable of lifting the side.
MICHAEL O'MARA: 19 years, 6ft, 13st 7lbs. A local product. First year of consistent First Grade appearances. A player with a ton of potential.
GARY WHYMARK: 16 years, 5ft 9ins, 11st 7lbs. Baby of the side. A fearless rover and remarkable mark for a small man. Dangerous around the forward lines. Accurate kick.
JOHN WIRTH: 24 years, 6ft 1ins, 13st 3lbs. First played seniors in 1964. Rep. on several occasions. A strong ruckman with a spectacular leap and ability to take the big mark.
JOHN GAMBLE: 19 years, 5ft 10ins, 11st 7lb. Came to Leeton this year from Mortlake Hampden League). A brilliant rover and prolific getter with accurate disposal. A very heady player.
KEVIN LANGLEY: 28 years, 5ft 9ins., 13st. 4lbs. Played with Warragul in the Latrobe Valley League before coming to Leeton in 1969. Also played in Avon Valley League (WA) with Northern. A brother with Marist Brothers. Played mostly backline football with Leeton and realishes the hard going.
JOHN REES: 19 years, l0st., 5ft. 11ins. Commenced playing with the Redlegs this year. All previous 'Rules being played in the Ariah Park district, including several appearances with that club's 1st XVIII. Regular member of last year's Leeton Rugby team.