Round 12 - Sunday July 7, 2002
Riverina Football League
Venue: Griffith Exies Oval 2.10pm
Umpires: Tim Beard and Rob Davidson (RUA)
Griffith ................................... 7.10 .. 11.14 .. 15.17 .. 21.21 (147)
East Wagga-Kooringal ...... 1.3 .. 5.5 .. 7.7 .. 9.12 (66)
GRIFFITH: Matt Bunn, Brendan Giason, Shawn Conlan; Cian Ebert (c-c), Damien Scott, Kaine Malone; Matthew Kenny, Phillip Rowston, Ben Ford; Craig Conlan, Jeff Mickan, Chris Conlan; Jamie Bennett, Danny Beriman, Michael Duncan; Matthew Olney, Rodney Duncan, Trevor Clarke; David Kidman, Ben Wade, Myles Bunn
EAST WAGGA-KOORINGAL: Steven Staines, Stuart Bond, Steven King; Wes Pollard-Carver, James Geale, Jamie Keenan; Steve Bromham, Ben Murnane, Jay Pearce; Leigh Bourne, Geoff Hopkins, Lucas Rodman; Brendan Shumack, Mick Fabre, James Richards; Tom Gorham, Jamie Charlton, Steven Quirk; Adam Farrell, Ryan Campbell, Brad Miller
GOALS
Griffith: M Duncan 5, J Bennett 4, D Beriman 3, M Olney 2, M Kenny 2, J Mickan 2, Craig Conlan, B Wade, P Rowston
East Wagga-K: J Charlton 4, B Murnane 2, S Bromham, J Geale, M Fabre
BEST PLAYERS
Griffith: P Rowston, B Giason, M Duncan, J Bennett, M Olney
East Wagga-K: B Murnane, J Charlton, L Rodman, G Hopkins, S Quirk
A summary of match report, with thanks
A lightening start start initiated by New South Wales squad member Mick Duncan propelled Griffith to an 81-point win over East Wagga-Kooringal yesterday. Duncan kicked four goals in the first 15 minutes as the Riverina Football League competition leaders raced away and eventually won 21.21 (147) t 9.12 (66) at the Ex-Servicemen's Oval, Griffith.

Starting in the forward pocket, Duncan, 19, became the menace for the defence as his first two goals rolled through and the others were snap shots from difficult positions in the pocket and at full forward. Other forward pocket Jamie Bennett kicked two goals and another by Matt Olney completed seven for the quarter as the Swans took a firm grip on the game at the first change. In addition to seven majors, Griffith peppered the goals for 10 behinds against the sluggish Hawks, who had to play catch-up football for the remainder of the game.

Duncan kicked his fifth midway through the second quarter and went on to the ball where he played a handy role in the Griffith success. Normally starting on the ball or on the wing, Duncan found himself in the unusual position of forward pocket in the first term.

He said it was a bit hard to adjust but the four goals soon boosted his confidence. "It was the first time this year I had been in the pocket for the first two quarters and did not do too much running," Duncan said. "I was just a bit fortunate the ball kept coming down so much and happened to be in the right place at the correct time. "There was not an easy kick all day against the Hawks, who kept at us all game. "Although we won well, I think we did not play to our full potential mainly due to the pressure the Hawks applied."

Our first quarter kept us in the box seat all game and we put in a strong last term." Griffith centre Phil Rowston and wingman Matt Kenny were responsible for a lot of drive from the middle of the ground and ruckman Matt Olney proved his worth around the ground.

As the scores indicate, Griffith's defence was solid throughout with Brendan Giason, Damien Scott and Rodney Duncan noted for their good work. Hawks' assistant coach Ben Murname continued to have one of his best seasons and another NSW squad member Jamie Charlton was among the side's major contributors. East Wagga's other main performers - Lucas Rodman, Geoff Hopkins and Steve Quirk - tried hard but Griffith was too strong in several departments. (By Peter Baker - The Daily Advertiser, Monday July 8, 2002).

    

OTHER MATCHES - SAT: Coolamon 124 def Narrandera 36, Mangoplah-CUE 64 def by Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong 75, Turvey Park 113 def Leeton-Whitton 28.

 
Reserves: Griffith 40.17 (257) def East Wagga-Kooringal 2.3 (15)
Goals: S Ruyg 14, W Armstrong 10, A Freyer 4, A Gardner 3, M Johns 2, J Malone 2, J Way, B Owen, G Foley
Best players: S Ruyg, W Armstrong, A Gardner, M Johns, G Foley
Under 18: Griffith def East Wagga-Kooringal on forfeit