LOOKING  BACK  

AT GRIFFITH SWANS PAST AWAY MEETINGS WITH NARRANDERA IMPERIAL EAGLES - 04.05.24

No other club have played Griffith more times in Football League matches than Narrandera Imperial. 
The clubs first meeting came on King George's Birthday, Monday June 3, 1929, at Narrandera Park. It was reported that the locals fielded a representative team, but the visitors did not play up to expectations, with the result that the Imperials won comfortably.
1935 was the year Griffith, together with Narrandera linked up with the Leeton & District Football Association in an inter town competition. Griffith known as the "Tigers" played their first semi-final match against Narrandera East on the new Narrandera Sportsground on Sunday, July 28th. The match was reported as one of the most exciting seen in the town for years. The Melbourne umpire, T.S. Mitchell, wrote in his report: - "A good game, played hard and fast, but in a good sporting spirit. My congratulations to both teams." After leading by nine points five minutes before the final bell, the Griffith side was beaten 41 points to 38.
Griffith: — Len Johnson (capt.), Alf Anstee, Jim Parker, Bill Barry, L. McCreddan, Bob Stevenson, Pat Cummins, Wal Cameron, Bates Flood, Martin Hickey, Bruce Dawes, Frank Ford, Les Rouse, Snowy Thompson, Art Campbell, Bruce Briggs, Bert Cripps, Dave Evans, George Wade, Harold Goring
Narrandera East: — Jack Brown (capt.), Jack Askwith, Jack Hutchins, Stan Day, Jack Larkins, Bob Hutchins, Frank Malcolm, Perc Bushby, Alby Treloar, Jack Treloar, Alan Headlam, Bill Longmore, Sam Lawrence, N. McNeill, W. Stewart, Beres Turner, Jack Hayes, B. Curry, W. Babbs, John Miller, J. Quirk.

In September 1981 was last occasion the teams met in the old South West League. Griffith premiership dreams ended early in the first semi final on the Sportsground when Narrandera kicked 12 goals in the first quarter.  The Imperials kicked 26.6 (162) to the Swans 8.26 (74) showing how Griffith's inaccuracy in front of goal let them down. 
Narrandera:- Garry Powell, Murray Nielsen, Mark Clark; Steve Donaldson, Peter Box jnr., Mark Whitby; Russell Stewart, David Scott, Garry Hoskin; Robert Donaldson, Michael Gilmore, John Trimble; Ian Male, Victor Hugo, Shane Longmore; Bruce Clark, Russell Durnan, Wayne Evans (c-c); John Gawne, Col Durnan.
Griffith:- Ian Geddes (capt), Grant Luhrs, Phil McGarry, Glen Harrison, Bruce Thomson, Paul Baldi, Max Turner, Robert Prest, Neil Sexton, Stephen Brand, Martin O'Donnell, Tony Dillon, Kelvin Turner, John Seidel, David Taylor, Roy Agresta, Peter Carey, Trevor Reed, Glen Hall, Wayne Bottcher.
Swans record against Eagles at Narrandera Sportsground: Played 90, Won 40, Lost 49, Draw 1.
Biggest Swans win: 29.15 (189) - 8.13 (61), R8, June 10, 1990.

Biggest Eagles win: 24.21 (165) - 1.3 (9), R4, May 18, 1946.
Most Swans goals: 12 - Gary Argus, R10, July 2, 1994.

Most Eagles goals: 14 - Leo Foley, R4, May 18, 1946.

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