Round 16 - Saturday August 13, 2011
Riverina Football Netball League
Venue: Crossroads Oval 2.10pm
Umpires: Paul Smith and John Hilton (RUA)
Collingullie A-K ..... 2.3 .. 5.6 .. 12.10 .. 17.16 (118)
Griffith ..................... 2.3 .. 3.4 .. 4.4 .. 7.8 (50) 
GRIFFITH: James Evans, Glen Snaidero, James Smith; Brendan Giason, Matthew Noonan, Che Jenkins; Jonathon Gastin, Guy Orton, Toby Blissett; James Toscan, Tom Buckley, Michael Johns; Dean Catanzariti, Jeff Mickan, Beau Runnalls; Henry Delves, Michael Duncan, Mathew Crack; Dean Crack, Kris Duncan, Pat Whittard
GOALS
Collingullie-AK: M Geppert 7, J McKenzie 3, R Dean 2, M Withers, B Aiken, B Lenon, J Wild, J Maksymow
Griffith: B Runnalls 4, T Blissett, D Catanzariti, H Delves 
BEST PLAYERS
Collingullie-AK: B Absolum, B Aiken, B Lenon, J Maksymow, K Sykes, C Gow
Griffith: C Jenkins, G Snaidero, M Noonan, J Toscan, J Evans, D Catanzariti
A summary of match report, with thanks
The Griffith Swans’ grasp on the final spot in the Riverina Football League finals has loosened, thanks largely to a horror 20-minute period against Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka on Saturday at Crossroads Oval. With the game in the balance at half-time, the Swans’ depth in the midfield was tested further when Mick Duncan was sent from the field for 20 minutes, for swearing after an official’s decision.

This came on top of Guy Orton copping a bad cork early in the game and needing treatment throughout the match to try and run freely. With Griffith’s two midfield generals off the field the Demons ran riot, kicking nine goals to break open the game and give them what would turn out to be an unassailable margin in their 68-point victory.

Swans coach Damien Scott lamented about the lack of luck his side had but added his side’s decision-making was at times not up to scratch.

Asked if he believes his side could have better copped with Duncan, Orton and ruckman Henry Delves (cork) being missing for crucial moments of the game, Scott said the Demons made the most of their opportunities.

“You lose your main go-forward men out in the middle, especially at a crucial time it hurts, we were able to cover Guy’s absence with what (players) we had but then loose Mick as well, the floodgates opened,” he said.

‘‘But it just proves how close it is between some of the sides, because we would have done the same thing to them (CAK), if the shoe was on the other foot. “I said to the guys after the game ‘don’t look at the scoreboard’ and speaking to Shane Lenon (CAK coach) after the game he said, ‘take away that 20-minute period and the games in the balance’. 
With the scores locked up at the end of the first quarter, the Demons were able to open up a small buffer of 14 points at the long break.

But then came CAK’s blistering quarter that all-but sealed the game with Marc Geppert (seven), Joshua McKenzie (three) and Ryan Dean (two) accurate in front of goal. Despite four goals from Beau Runnalls and solid displays from Che Jenkins, Matt Noonan, Glen Snaidero, James Toscan, John Evans and Dean Catanzariti, Griffith fell short of a victory that would have been a massive boost for their finals’ chances.

(By Scott Hazlewood – The Area News, Monday August 15, 2011). 

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OTHER MATCHES - SAT: Mangoplah-CUE 15.12 (102) def Leeton-Whitton 14.10 (94), Wagga 3.1 (19) def by Ganmain-GGM 17.18 (120); SUN: Turvey Park 13.12 (90) def Narrandera 13.9 (87); Coolamon, bye.

Reserves: Collingullie-AK 14.10 (94) def Griffith 6.6 (42)
Goals: M Keenan 2, Theo Valeri 2, T Shannon, T Webb
Best players: Theo Valeri, C Harrison, L Piccolo, T Webb, T McMahon, J Ryan
Under 17: Griffith 12.17 (87) def Collingullie-AK 5.2 (32)
Goals: C O'Reilly 3, P Whittard 2, Tom Valeri 2, T Shannon 2, J Burley, P Rose, A Blissett
Best players: J Tyndall, Tom Valeri, F Josling, A Blissett, P Rose, C Hutchison