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AT GRIFFITH SWANS PAST HOME MEETINGS WITH GANMAIN-GRONG GRONG-MATONG LIONS - 13.07.24

A good number of games between Swans and Lions have been crucial affairs, and none more important than the game here on Saturday. The very first meeting came on May 30, 1982, and was Griffith's first encounter with the newly merged Ganmain and Grong Grong-Matong clubs. The red and whites sitting in last place before the game were able to move one position higher on the ladder after beating the Lions, 118 - 113. The win was the result of a great team performance with the Swans outstanding players being Grant Luhrs, John Seidel, Gerard Toscan and Paul Baldi, who also kicked seven majors. 
Griffith: — Grant Luhrs (c-c), Paul Baldi, Glenn Harrison, Trevor Burdett, Rowan Smith, Tim Johanson, Robert Prest, Wayne Bottcher, Gerard Toscan, Martin O'Donnell, Ian Wade, Kelvin Turner, John Seidel, David Taylor, Tony Hicks, Richard Turner, Mark Tyndall, Michael Toth, John Bordignon, John Garzoli.
One of the most memorable matches of all was played on August 4, 1991, before a record Exies Oval, RFL crowd, paying $4200 at the gate. Les "Salty" Parish Swans' boys overcame a slow start to inflict on Tony Hughes' Lions their first loss for the season and take over top spot on the ladder. Wearing his trusty No 5 jumper Darrell Collins and playing in his 200th game for the club Collins was justly rewarded with victory, 111 to 73. 
Griffith: — Les Parish (c-c), Shane Ruyg, Rick Burdett, Peter King, Darrell Collins, Ian Geddes, Wayne Bottcher, Gerard Toscan, Andrew Kerr, Brendan Browne, Andrew Romagnolo, Mark O'Connor, Jamie Bennett, Peter Casey, Leon Stow, Chris Conlan, Mick Murphy, Paul Biron, Joe Agresta, Paul Young.
Another memorable clash was played on Sunday, September 8 at Exies Oval when Griffith, the minor premiers of 2002 clashed with Ganmain-GGM for a place in the RFL grand final. Cian Ebert's Swans side easily triumphed over Luke Carroll's Lions, to the tune of 124 to 40.
Griffith: — Matt Bunn, Jonathan O'Dwyer, Brendan Giason; Jeff Mickan, Chris Blanchard, Jason Malone; Kaine Malone, Phillip Rowston, Michael Duncan; Craig Conlan, Andrew Hill, Rodney Duncan; David Curran, Danny Beriman, Jamie Bennett; Matthew Olney, Trevor Clarke, Cian Ebert (c-c); Chris Conlan, Shawn Conlan, Damien Scott, Luke Condon.
Ganmain-GGM: — Jamie Crozier, Adam Symons, Warwick Smith; Mitchell Carroll, Jed Lawton, Mitchell Steele; Raphael McGowan, Drew Symons, Nathan Irvine; Shaun Rava, Stephen Kelly, Brett Lenon; Chris Kelly, Daniel Underwood, Nathan McPherson; Scott Hamblin, Luke Carroll (c-c), Hayden Milne; Rohan Brill, Paul Lucas, Joel Noble, Jason Turner.
Swans record against Lions at Griffith Exies Oval: Played 45, Won 17, Lost 27, Draw 1.
Biggest Swans win: 19.10 (124) - 5.10 (40), SF2, Sept. 8, 2002
Biggest Lions win: 24.24 (168) - 11.8 (74), R7, June 14, 1992.
Most Swans goals: 10 - Shane Ruyg, R5, May 8, 1999
Most Lions goals: 9 - Christin Macri, R2, April 19, 2009.

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