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LOOKING BACK
AT GRIFFITH SWANS PAST AWAY MEETINGS WITH LEETON-WHITTON CROWS - 29.06.24
We looked back at past Riverina Football League matches with Leeton-Whitton at Griffith Exies Oval earlier this season, so now we examine Griffith Swans record when playing the Crows on their home ground.
The two clubs' paths first crossed in 1997 on the Leeton Showgrounds, strangely enough three seasons since the Riverina Football League became a twelve-team competition. The Swans started the season in a blaze of glory winning five games in a row by 100 points or more. Then the rot set in when they came up against the top teams of the competition and were well and truly beaten in seven out of those eight games. Playing the final game of the home and away series it was reported that the Griffith boys were a bit sluggish all day against a Brett Henderson fired-up Leeton-Whitton team. Fortunately, the result, a 110 to 80 defeat had no impact on the Swans final five finishing position on the ladder.
Griffith: — Anthony Pavey (c-c), Trevor Clarke, Ray Willis, Damien Scott, Chris Conlan, Don Moran, Dean Jamieson, Graeme Woods, Brett Davis, Greg Dreyer, Phillip Pavey, Greg Collins, Gary Argus, Daniel Tuohey, Matt Bunn, Tony Mahar, Wayne Bodycott, Jason Magoci, Aaron O'Keefe, Brendan Giason.
When the teams met in the opening round of 2010 the game ended in a 44-all draw. After leading by 20 points at the final change Griffith must have thought they had done enough to win but did not count on running into a howling breeze in the final quarter. Swans star Mick Duncan, was philosophical about the result. “I suppose two points is better than none. We were in front for most of the game, but the breeze was so powerful in the final quarter and in a way we did well to hold on".
Griffith: — Luke Piccolo, Matthew Noonan, Jack Tyrell; Mick Duncan, Roland Finch, Tim Matheson; Ben Ford, Brett Owen, Jonathon Gastin; Luke Humphries, Jeff Mickan, Alex Overs; Dean Crack, Josh Whelan, Kris Duncan; Shaun Curran, Mathew Crack, James Fallon; Michael Harris, Matthew Kenny, Jarrad Cox.
Griffith's last visit to Leeton was on May 6, 2023, when the Swans spoiled Leeton-Whitton party after recording a percentage boosting 115-points win over the Crows. Swans big win put a real dampener on what was supposed to be a day of celebration for the Crows with four-time Hawthorn premiership star Grant Birchall pulling on the boots for home side.
Leeton-Whitton: — James Rourke, Blake Ryan, Kabe Stockton; Grant Birchall, Tom Meline, Will Wakeman; Tom Groves (c-c), Matt Rainbird, Jack Coelli; Taj Doyle, Logan Mahalm, Jake Turner; Dan Hillam, Jaxon Ryan, Cooper Purtill; Mason Dryburgh, Darcy Cullen, Angus Crelley; Bryce Rogers, Jake Norman, Josh Stevens.
Griffith: — Sam Foley, Charlie Cunial, Nicholas Conlan; Dean Simpson, Alec McCormick, Jack Rowston (capt); Mason Rosengreen, Oliver Bartter, Kieran Ruyg; Patrick Payne, Henry Delves, Kahlan Spencer; Jay Summers, James Toscan, Alex Page; Nathan Richards, Rhys Pollock, Taine Moraschi; James Girdler, Daniel Peruzzi, Sam Daniel.
Swans record against Crows at Leeton Showground: Played 29, Won 17, Lost 11, Draw 1.
Biggest Swans win: 30.15 (195) - 6.4 (40), R6, May 19, 2002
Biggest Crows win: 19.20 (134) - 8.12 (60), R2, April 21, 2012.
Most Swans goals: 9 - Beau Runnalls, R14. July 31, 2011.
Most Crows goals: 7 - Don Moran, R13, July 11, 1999.