Swans On Screen
HISTORY IN RED AND WHITE
GRIFFITH SWANS NETBALL FIXTURES
R1 - April 5 (H) Collingullie-Wagga - A grade: won 50 - 36, A Reserve: won 41 - 34, B Grade: won 42 - 38, C Grade: won 37 - 6, U17: lost 34 - 55.
R2 - April 12 (a) Coolamon Rovers - A grade: won 51 - 54, A Reserve: lost 55 - 31, B Grade: won 28 - 35, C Grade: won 21 - 35, U17: lost 47 - 32.
R3 - April 26 (H) Wagga Tigers - A grade: lost 33 - 34, A Reserve: lost 36 - 37, B Grade: won 45 - 41, C Grade: won 35 - 17, U17: lost 21 - 46.
R4 - May 3 (a) Narrandera - A grade: won 38 - 71, A Reserve: lost 52 - 56, B Grade: won 25 - 56, C Grade: won 6 - 51, U17: won 36 - 39.
R5 - May 10 (H) Ganmain-GGM - A Grade won 68 - 51, A Reserve: won 48 - 32, B Grade: won 41 - 21, C Grade: won 48 - 14, U17: won 47 - 29.
R6 - May 17 (H) Mangoplah-CUE- A Grade draw 67-67, A Reserve: lost 48-51, B Grade: won 36-35, C Grade: won 36-29, U17: won 37-32.
R7 - May 24 (a) Leeton-Whitton - A Grade won 32-67, A Reserve: won 34-48, B Grade: won 34-45, C Grade: won 18-39, U17: won 32-39.
R9 - June 14 (H) Turvey Park - A Grade: won 58-37, A Reserve: won 45-40, B Grade: won 44-34, C Grade: won 51-15, U17: won 42-36.
R10 - June 21 (a) Collingullie-Wagga - A Grade won 48-64, A Reserve: lost 54-50, B Grade: lost 56-46, C Grade: won 15-31, U17: won 34-35.
R11 - June 28 (a) Wagga Tigers - A Grade won 40-49, A Reserve: won 49-53, B Grade: lost 62-42, C Grade: won 14-38, U17: lost 46-30.
R12 - July 5 (H) Coolamon Rovers - A Grade lost 51-61, A Reserve: lost 40-58, B Grade: won 46-36, C Grade: won 28-23, U17: lost 24-33.
R13 - July 12 (a) Ganmain-GGM - A Grade won 40-49, A Reserve: won 33-54, B Grade: won 35-45, C Grade: won 25-49, U17: lost 38-32.
R14 - July 19 (a) Mangoplah-CUE - A Grade lost 63-52, A Reserve: lost 60-47, B Grade: lost 47-37, C Grade: won 28-46, U17: lost 45-24.
R15 - July 26 (H) Narrandera - A Grade won 60-35, A Reserve: won 51-41, B Grade: won 61-31, C Grade: won 50-6, U17: won 39-31.
R16 - August 2 (H) Leeton-Whitton - A Grade won 63-52, A Reserve: won 41-32, B Grade: won 53-48, C Grade: won 53-18, U17: won 37-26.
R18 - August 16 (a) Turvey Park - A Grade won 22-77, A Reserve: won 26-49, B Grade: won 38-39, C Grade: won 20-36, U17: won 26-39.
2025 RFNL NETBALL Ladders
A grade: Mangoplah-CUE 31, Coolamon, 28, Griffith 23, Wagga Tigers 18, Collingullie-Wagga 16; Ganmain-GGM 12, Narrandera 10, Turvey Park 6, Leeton-Whitton 0.
A Reserve: Coolamon 30, Wagga Tigers 24, Mangoplah-CUE 22, Griffith 18, Collingullie-Wagga 16; Narrandera 14, Turvey Park 10, Ganmain-GGM 8, Leeton-Whitton 2.
B grade: Mangoplah-CUE 28, Griffith 26, Wagga Tigers 20, Leeton-Whitton 20, Coolamon 18; Collingullie-Wagga 12, Turvey Park, 12, Ganmain-GGM 8, Narrandera 0.
C grade: Griffith 32, Mangoplah-CUE 28, Coolamon 24, Turvey Park 16, Wagga Tigers 14; Collingullie-Wagga 13; Ganmain-GGM 11, Leeton-Whitton 6, Narrandera 0.
Under 17: Coolamon 28, Mangoplah-CUE 27, Wagga Tigers 22, Griffith 18, Collingullie-Wagga 14; Ganmain-GGM 12, Narrandera 11, Turvey Park 8, Leeton-Whitton 4.
2025 RFNL FINAL SERIES
August 23: QF @ Narrandera - A grade: Coolamon 55 def Griffith 53, A Reserve: Wagga Tigers 36 def by Mangoplah 67, B Grade: Griffith 46 def Wagga Tigers 43, C Grade: Mangoplah 38 def Coolamon 20, Under 17: Mangoplah 24 def by Wagga Tigers 31.
August 24: EF @ Narrandera - A Grade: Wagga Tigers 33 def by Collingullie-Wagga 41, A Reserve: Griffith 46 def Collingullie-Wagga 38, B Grade: Leeton-Whitton 44 def by Coolamon 46, C Grade: Turvey Park 21 def by Wagga Tigers 31, Under 17: Griffith 33 def by Collingullie 49.
August 30: SF2 @ Narrandera - A Grade: Mangoplah 50 def Coolamon 47, A Reserve: Coolamon 61 def Mangoplah 37, B Grade: Mangoplah 61 def Griffith 42, C Grade: Griffith 35 def Mangoplah 32, Under 17: Coolamon 46 def Wagga Tigers 24.
August 31: SF1 @Maher Ovall - A Grade: Griffith 66 def Collingullie-Wagga 42, A Reserve: Wagga Tigers 45 def Griffith 44, B Grade: Wagga Tigers 36 def by Coolamon 49, C Grade: Coolamon 31 def Wagga Tigers 21, Under 17: Mangoplah 30 def Collingullie-Wagga 21.
Sept 7: PF @ Narrandera - A Grade: Coolamon 51 def by Griffith 61, A Reserve: Mangoplah 47 def Wagga Tigers 39, B Grade: Griffith 50 def Coolamon 46, C Grade: Mangoplah 44 def Coolamon 29, Under 17: Wagga Tigers 25 def by Mangoplah 32.
Sept 13: GF @ Narrandera - A Grade: Mangoplah 59 def by Griffith 62 - BOC Brooke Buckley, A Reserve: Coolamon 62 def Mangoplah 44, BOC Lucy Barkla, B Grade: Mangoplah 53 def Griffith 51, BOC Clover Irvin, C Grade: Griffith 42 def Mangoplah 27, BOC Sara Negus, Under 17: Coolamon 26 def Mangoplah 24, BOC Phoebe Dyce.
PERFECT FINISH FOR BROOKE by Jimmy Meiklejohn
GRIFFITH teenager Brooke Buckley capped off a sensational season with one final accolade, claiming a well-deserved best and fairest honour with the Swans. The 17-year-old took her game to new heights this season, which culminated in her earning best-on-court honours in Griffith's A Grade premiership triumph.
The teenager also recorded a runner-up finish in the A Grade Medal, finishing just three votes behind joint winners Kate Wallace and Prue Walsh.
With plans to move on at the end of the year, Buckley said it was great to cap off her time with the Swans by claiming the best and fairest. "It was the perfect way to finish," Buckley said. "It was a good way to end."
Despite having such a strong season on court, Buckley said the realisation of potentially winning the award only came to her in the days leading up to Griffith's presentation night. "It only occurred to me after the season had ended that I could win it," she said. "You go game by game and you try to play your best each time, but you don't think that will lead to something more. "It was never in my mind until maybe two days before, when I thought maybe I could win it this year."
In addition to her commitments with Griffith, Buckley also played a handful of games with South West Mounties in the Netball NSW Premier League competition.
Shooting 115 goals from six games, Buckley said it was fantastic to have that exposure to a top-level competition. "That was surreal," she said. "It was a completely different level of netball, every game is physical demanding and challenging. "It was fun to play a different level and challenge myself. I'd say Under 23's is the same level as the top teams in the Riverina League; it's like you 're versus Mango and Coolamon each week."
Buckley is chasing more in 2026, confirming she'll be looking to play in the Premier League again next season. "I'm on the move to Sydney next year," she said. "I hope the Swans go back-to-back, but unfortunately, I won't be part of that. "I'll give it a shot in the Premier League, go and have some fun in the higher-level comp and see how it goes."
Jumping across to the Swans leading into the 2024 season, Buckley was grateful for the coaching support she's received. "Joh (Munro) has been amazing," she said. "So had Carolyn (Burgess) and G (Georgia Fuller), just with their coaching, and they are so calm with the way they deliver it. It's very precise, and you know what to do when you go out there, so you're not feeling lost. They're taught me so much."
Source - The Area News, Saturday October 11, 2025.
GRIFFITH WIN EPIC DECIDER AGAINST THE GOANNAS - By Courtney Rees
GRIFFITH exorcised some grand final demons to end Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes' title stranglehold. After being beaten by the Goannas in last year's grand final, as well as in the 2023 decider, this time the Swans reigned supreme after a tight contest at Narrandera on Saturday. The 62-59 win not only stopped MCUE's quest for winning a sixth straight grand final and ruined an unbeaten season but was Griffith's first A grade title in almost 20 years.
Coach Joh Munro was thrilled to finally taste premiership success with the club. "It's amazing," Munro said. "We're just worked so hard for the last few seasons and had to go the long way to get into the grand final, but everything just came together right at the right time. "I'm so proud of the group as they're amazing players, but just to really dig deep in this game, as we knew we'd really have to do four quarters, they've done amazing."
After taking advantage of Ash Reynoldson's first shot just going out, Griffith held a narrow lead for most of the first quarter. However, after a Pheobe Wallace intercept and Brooke Buckley was called for a step, it was the four-time defending premiers that took an 18-15 lead at quarter time. MCUE's lead was five goals after the second centre pass before the Swans stormed back into the clash with a couple of turnovers in defence sparking a resurgence. They scored nine of the of the last 13 goals of the quarter to take a 32-29 lead into half-time.
However, it was all the Goannas after the break, scoring eight of the next 10 goals to lead by three themselves.
As the pressure kept building with dominate shooters Buckley and Reynoldson making every shot they put up, Griffith found another response to lead by three heading into the last quarter. The scores were level with about five minutes to play before Reynoldson shot came up short, giving the Swans a chance to capitalise. Buckley's height advantage came to the fore to claim her own rebound after a rare miss and create a two-goal lead. From there the Swans were able to control things for a memorable victory.
Munro was thrilled with how the team responded to see some dramatic swings throughout the clash. "We're worked on that a million times with just the intensity we need," she said. "You just got to be able to dig deep against the good sides, withstand the pressure they put on, and a few times they did come back on us really hard, and I was really proud we didn't let them take off, which they are quite capable of doing. "We stopped it, got back to our game plan and got back in control of the game again. "That's just the maturity of the group that's developed over the last few years. We've had some grand finals experience now, but to finally just get one that's amazing."
Boosted by new additions Ava Pritchett and Kristen Nunan, plus having their schoolgirl goal shooting star Brooke Buckley, who was named best in the grand final, another year older were among the things the former Super Netball defender thought made the difference this season. It was Griffith's first A grade premiership since 2006. Source - The Daily Advertiser, Monday Sept 15, 2025.
SCHOOLGIRL SENSATION LEADS CHARGE TO PREMIERSHIP GLORY - By Courtney Rees
SCHOOLGIRL sensation Brooke Buckley rose above her rivals to guide Griffith to premiership success. The 17-year-old's first season with the club ended in grand final heartache, with the Swans being beaten by Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes in extra time last year. However, she was a tower of strength in the goal circle to help them go one better and end a 19-year premiership drought on Saturday.
Dominating under the posts using her height and strength to pull in the ball after ball, Buckley was near unstoppable under the posts. And on the occasion of a rare miss did happen her ability to rebound usually meant it wasn't at all costly.
Buckley was thrilled to be part of Griffith's breakthrough success. "It was incredible, absolutely crazy," Buckley said. "I'm speechless as it's surreal. "I joined last year and after losing to Mango in overtime it was like oh this is our year and it's such a special group. "I just love everyone, and it was so good to finally get a win."
Griffith coach Joh Munro was thrilled with Buckley's impact on the game. The former Super Netball player is confident the Yanco Ag High School student has plenty of potential in the sport. "She's just amazing," Munro said. "She honestly has such a big future if she wants it. "She's competitive, she's just such a great kid who pushes herself and is willing to learn. We love her and she's just anchored that attack all season."
From Coopernook on the mid north coast, Munro's influence is a big reason Buckley is at the club, with a couple of options closer. However, the 17-year-old wanted to learn from one of the region's best. "Joh as a coach is incredible and I couldn't pass up that opportunity to work with her and good group of girls," Buckley said. To be named best in the grand final just capped off a big day for Buckley. "It feels very special as everyone just played so amazing and to be one recognised for that is crazy," she said. Source - The Daily Advertiser, Monday, Sept 15, 2025.
DEDICATION PAYS OFF FOR TEEN WHO WILL NOW PLAY IN A GRAND FINAL - By Jimmy Meiklejohn
AVA Pritchett's decision to join Griffith has paid massive dividends as it's resulted in a maiden A Grade grand final appearance. After a strong campaign with Marrar last year, Pritchett elected for a change for this season, linking up with the Swans and reuniting with a former coach in Joh Munro.
Still living in Coolamon, Pritchett has spent quite a few hours a week on the road, traveling back and forth for training and games. The 19-year-old noted the travel had come with it's challengers; however, she agreed her dedication had definitely paid off. "It has taken a bit of a toll with also working in Wagga, making it a two-hour drive," Pritchett said. "But in the end, it's obviously paid off and been worth it."
Pritchett noted a bit of uncertainly around Griffith's player availability was one of the factors in her decisions to rejoin forces with Munro at the Swans. "I went there this year as there was a lot of different ideas going on," She said. "We didn't know if Jenna Richards was going to play, but she did end up coming back, which has been amazing for us. I obviously had a former connection with Joh, and I'm glad that I made the move."
Munro is one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the Riverina, and Pritchett said it's been fantastic learning off her once again this season. "She takes the game to a whole new level," she said. "She's brilliant."
Still quite early in her netball career, Pritchett said she's also picked up quite a bit from experienced players such as Jenna Richards and Georgia Fuller. "Ever single time you go to training or you play, you learn something new from them," she said. "Everyone brings a different idea to the game, and so many ideas get thrown around; everyone is really good. It's a great bunch of girls, and it's been a very enjoyable year."
Ahead of her A Grade grand final, Pritchett revealed she has mixed emotions ahead of the showdown clash again MCUE. "I'm very exited," she said. "I'm a bit nervous as well, but hopefully they'll go as the game goes on."
After fallen short in their two past grand final attempts, Pritchett believed it'd mean a great deal to the team if they could end up on top today. "Mango has been the benchmark for years; they're a great team," she said. "I think after the previous losses the other girls have had, it would be just amazing for us to come out on top. I think it would be a good way for everyone to reward themselves for how hard we have worked this season."
One positive for the Swans entering the grand final is that they are the only team to take a point away from MCUE, securing a draw in round six.
Both likely to implement a similar style of netball, Pritchett thought the grand final would go down to the wire. "We' are very similar in the way both teams play," she said. "I think it's going to be neck and neck the whole game; it's going to be really tough grind." Source - The Daily Advertiser, Saturday, Sept 13, 2025.
GRIFFITH TOO STRONG FOR COOLAMON - By Jimmy Meiklejohn
A STRONG second half performance guided Griffith to a 10-goal win over Coolamon in the A Grade preliminary final. Ahead by two goals at the first change, the Hoppers then whittled down Griffith's lead to one at the main break. After initially falling behind in the early stages of the third term, the Swans then took control of the ascendancy. First drawing back level, they then scored the last four goals of the quarter to take a 45-41 lead into the final change. After trading early goals in the last, the Swans then once again took control of the contest, eventually prevailing 61-51 over Coolamon.
Having to do it the hard way, after defeating Collingullie-Wagga last week in a sudden-death semi-final, Griffith coach Joh Munro was rapt to be into another grand final. "We had a real specific plan that we worked on at training," Munro said. "I'm really proud of the group as they stuck to it for the entire game. I'm really proud of that effort to get across the line in a high pressure-game. "We knew we had to fix the start that we had against them last time, to come on so focused and with that intensity was really pleasing."
Munro said she was proud of the maturity of her side, to not only arrest Coolamon's momentum, but then also respond with their own period of dominance. "A few of the girls have now been with me for the last three-and-half years," she said. "I've seen them grow, I think Jenna Richards was 19 when I arrived, she's now had four years there. Georgia Fuller is one of the more experienced players in the group, Tahlia and Alyssia Quinn, those four have been there the entire time.
"We've had Ella Gaske, Brooke Buckley obviously last year, there's a group there have worked there for a little while now and I think it's just maturity starting to happen in those pressure moments. "They're making better decisions and are able to stick to what the game plan is and not getting overawed by the occasion. I'm really pleased with them."
Brooke Buckley was outstanding for the Swans in a high-pressure third term, finishing off the opportunities created up the court by her teammates. Munro thought Buckley was dominant in their attack end, noting she played her roll superbly. "I can't speak highly enough of her," she said. "Not only on the court, but also off the court, she's a great kid and she anchors that entire attack end for us. "She got up today and ripped those balls in, she took her shots and grabbed the rebounds for us, she was a really strong focal point for us."
A familiar foe awaits Griffith as they'll take on Mangoplah-CUE in the A Grade decider for the third straight year. Munro said she was looking forward to having another crack at knocking over the Goannas on the grand final stage. "We've been bridesmaid the last two years against them," she said. "It would be nice to get the win, it's the top two sides now and I don't think there's a lot that separates us. "We both play quite a fast-paced and skillful game ... I really think it's going to come down to the team that brings it for four quarters. We know we're not going to have it easy by any means against them, they're an amazing side." Source - The Daily Advertiser, Tuesday Sept 9, 2025.
FAST START SETS UP REMATCH WITH HOPPERS - By Jimmy Meiklejohn
A STRONG opening half guided Griffith to a 24-goal win over Collingullie-Wagga in the A Grade first semi-final at Maher Oval. Keen to make amends after a slow start last weekend against Coolamon, the Swans burst out of the gates, putting on 22 goals in the opening term. They continued that strong form in the second quarter, at one point scoring nine-straight goals to head into the main break up by 24 goals.
The Demons would respond in the third, at one point rallying with four straight goals of their own, to slightly reduce the margin at the last change. It was a pretty even final term, with the Swans eventually prevailing 66-42 to set up a rematch against the Hoppers in the preliminary final. After a slow start in the qualifying final last Saturday, Griffith coach Joh Munro said she was happy with the opening two terms from her side. "Our focus was our start," Munro said. "We had a really slow start against Coolamon last week, so we really wanted to focus on getting out of blocks quickly. "I was proud of that. We had a really strong first half, but there's still plenty to work on as our second half was level."
The Swans were elite with their ball movement early, and they were also stout defensively, limiting the Demons to just six goals in the second quarter. Munro revealed they ticked all the boxes they wanted to be in the first half, noting they put on the show what their best netball looks like. "We spoke about bringing the intensity to every contest," she said. "We know Collingullie is really strong defensively, so it wasn't being cautious with the ball but just using that front option."
While the Demons never really got within striking distance of Griffith in the second half, Munro felt it was disappointing in a sense to take a step back in their performance in the final two terms. "We had every intention of continuing on," she said. "But I think Collingullie, they're a quality side, and they've made the top four for a reason, they put us a lot of pressure in the second half." Going down by just two goals in the qualifying final after a strong finish to the game, Munro said her side would embrace another tight challenge against the Hoppers. "We always have really strong clashes with Coolamon," she said. Source - The Daily Advertiser, Tuesday September 2, 2025.
QUINN'S BIG CHANCE - By Jimmy Meiklejohn
GRIFFITH teenager Tahlia Quinn is in for a very busy 2025 as she joggles her schooling commitments with playing netball in Sydney. The 17-year-old has signed with Netball NSW Premier League club South West Mounties Magic to play in the under-23's competition.
The teenager joins a growing list of Riverina talents playing in the Premier League competition which includes Jenna Richards, Ava Moller, Phoebe Wallace, Jasmine Gilmour, Lily Webb, Emily McPherson and Kaylah Upfield.
It's an enormous opportunity for the talented teenager and Quinn said she was looking forward to playing with the Magic this season. "It is exciting, especially when all the girls are older," Quinn said. "It's good to have the opportunity this year as I didn't really expect it at all."
Quinn has established herself as one of the best young netball talents in the region having notched up over 40 A grade games for Griffith over the past two and half seasons.
She was also part of the very strong Riverina side that finished runner-up at the NSW Regional State Cup in October.
Despite her impressive resume, Quinn was unsure if she would be offered the chance to play Premier League under 23's this year given her age. "To be honest I didn't know," she said.
"Our team went really well and I know our team was one of the strongest ones, but I just thought that I was too young. I never thought any teams would reach out, but then I got an email."
While landing at the Magic by herself Quinn wont have to look far for some similar faces as fellow Griffith players Jenna Richards and Jasmine Gilmour are also playing in the under 23's competition this season.
The teenager agreed it was nice to have a few close friends playing in the same competition and going through a similar experience. "I'm really close with Jenna and Jas," she said. So it's good to have a few friends that are also going through the same thing. "But I'm pretty sure they are both moving up there which is going to be a bit different compared to me."
Given she will continue to live in Griffith, Quinn hadn't ruled out continuing with the Swans in 2025. Source - The Area News, Friday January 10, 2025.
NETBALL LEAGUE MEDALLIST RICHARDS PREPARES FOR PREMIER LEAGUE - By Jimmy Meiklejohn
RIVERINA League A grade medallist Jenna Richards is excited about taking on a new challenge in Sydney.
Richards has signed with NSW Premier League Netball club GWS Fury to play in the under 21's competition next season.
It follows an excellent past season for Richards, where she took a popular victory in the Riverina League A grade medal count and was crowned best and fairest at Griffith. Having achieved just about all she can in the Riverina League, Richards said she was now keen to test herself at the highest level. "I think that was a big reason why I decided to take the next step," she said.
The RFL is such a strong league and around our area I don't think there is anywhere I could've gone that was much stronger than the RFL at the moment. "All the teams in the RFL are very strong and it's a tightly contested comp, so I think if I want to take that next step then this was the only real option for me. "I thought if I was going to move then I may as well move up to Sydney and take that chance why I have it. "After a good season I thought this is my next step."
Richards joins a growing list of Riverina talents playing in the Premier League and her signing follows on from the recent news that Phoebe Wallace, Jasmine Gilmour and Lily Webb are joining Sutherland Stingrays.
Despite a strong campaign at the Regional State Cup for Riverina where she was named in the Merit Team, Richards revealed her rise to being offered a spot with the Fury was very unexpected. "I was very surprising honestly and it all kind of happened at once," she said.
After Regional League in a week, I was trying to sort out getting to trials, then after that I was trying to figure out what I was going to do and how it was all going to work like where I was going to live. "It was all happening in such a short space of time, it was very unexpected."
Richards will have a familiar face alongside her at the Fury, as Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes' Ava Moller has also signed with the Premier League club. "It definitely makes it that bit easier having a familiar face going into it and knowing that I'm not the only regional athlete," she said. "We've got a couple of girls coming from a fair distance away, but knowing Ava from around this area just makes it that little bit easier taking that step which is nice."
Richards is a Swans junior and has been the mainstay in their A grade side for a number of years. She agreed it was difficult to make the call to strep away. "Yeah definitely," she said. "That was hard talking to Joh (Munro) about my plans, but she's obviously so supportive of me and all the girls who are going up there.
"I was playing my first game of netball there in the under 11's and I think I was nine. "I've been with the Swans ever since so definitely it's bittersweet." Source - The Daily Advertiser, Tuesday December 24, 2024.