Round 17 - Sunday August 14, 2005 (Pink Day)
Riverina Football League
Venue: Griffith Exies Oval 2.10pm
Umpires: Scott Crowley, Paul Smith and Brett Webb (RUA)
Griffith ............ 3.2 .. 7.5 .. 10.7 .. 13.9 (87)
Coolamon .... . 4.7 .. 4.12 .. 9.17 .. 13.20 (98)
GRIFFITH: Jason Hampel, Simon Spiers, Myles Bunn; Josh Ward, Adam Brander, Rodney Duncan; Ben Ford, Matthew McDonald, Graham Foley; Mathew Crack, Jeff Mickan, Roger Heenan; Rodney Simpkin, Ashley Gardner, Craig Conlan; Michael Wilson, Tim Birks, Michael Duncan; Ryan Hill, Trent Bradley, Nic Hetherington
COOLAMON ROVERS: Matt Cameron, Brett Garrett, Francis Furner; Bryan Munro, Greg Rudd, Nathan Eadyvean; Adm McKenzie, Matt Hard (c-c), Ryan Bartholomew; Stephen Bartholomew, Jamie Parr, Jamie Maddox; Luke Maloney, Rowan Mortimer, Pat Edmunds; Ben Edyvean, Nigel Scott, Ryan Chamberlain; Brendan McPherson, Paul Thorneycroft, Edward Edis
GOALS
Griffith: M McDonald 6, A Gardner 2, Craig Conlan 2, G Foley, M Duncan, T Birks
Coolamon: J Parr 3, E Edis 3, M Hard 2, B Munro, B Garrett, L Maloney, R Mortimer, R Bartholomew
BEST PLAYERS
Griffith: M McDonald, T Birks, S Spiers, M Duncan, G Foley, R Simpkin
Coolamon: M Hard, R Chamberlain, G Rudd, F Furner, R Bartholomew, B Munro
A summary of match report, with thanks

The Griffith Swans' top three chances were dealt a harsh blow at Exies Oval yesterday going down to second place Coolamon Grasshoppers by 11 points. After leading by 11 points at half-time the Swans fell apart in the second half and failed to capitalise on the strong breeze in the last quarter to lose just their second game at Exies Oval this season.

The Swans must beat Eastern Hawks next week and rely on Coolamon to defeat Narrandera to secure third spot and the second chance. Coolamon captain-coach Matt Hard was at his destructive best as he racked up numerous possessions and single-handedly destroyed the Swans in a polished best on ground performance.

Swans' coach Adrian Burns who watched from the sideline was shattered by the result. "What can I say, it was just disappointing," Burns said.

"There was a good feeling before the game, and we had good preparation leading up to it.

"They got the upper hand there in the second half and were just too good." Burns said poor disposal cost his team the ultimate price. "Our kicking was shocking," Burns said.  "We were spraying them all over the place, it was terrible."

Despite kicking with the breeze in the opening term the Grasshoppers who booted four goals seven to get out to an early 11-point lead.

But the Swans turned it around in the second term kicking four unanswered goals while restricting Coolamon to just five behinds to sneak ahead by 11 points at half-time. Coolamon came out firing after half-time and scored the opening two goals, but Swans' onballer Matt McDonald kept his team in the game with three late, third quarter goals to see Griffith four points down.

With the wind at their back the Swans kicked the opening goal of the final term, but the Grasshoppers responded with three straight goals to get out to a 16-point lead at the 12-minute mark in the final quarter.

But through goals to Tim Birks and McDonald again the Swans got back within two points. With the game on the line, Coolamon's Ryan Bartholomew was left unmarked in the goal square and booted an easy goal to give Coolamon the game.

For the Swans Matt McDonald and Mick Duncan were again outstanding through the midfield, Jeff Mickan worked tirelessly across centre half forward and Myles Bunn held the backline together. Burns is still confident the Swans can finish top three.

"Once we get to full strength, we should be right," Burns said. (By Matt Malone - The Area News, Monday August 15, 2005).

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OTHER MATCHES - SAT: Ganmain-GGM 22.17 (149) def Mangoplah-CUE 7.8 (50), Leeton-Whitton 16.15 (111) def by Eastern Hawks 31.10 (196), Narrandera 23.13 (151) def Turvey Park 16.7 (103)

Reserves: Coolamon 18.11 (119) def Griffith 9.4 (58)
Goals: M Burke 3, G Argus 2, B Alban 2, G Dreyer, W Tyndall
Best players: K Duncan, J Bennett, Chris Conlan, D Best, B Alban, T Wilson
Under 18: Griffith 11.9 (75) def Coolamon 9.5 (59)
Goals: J Gastin 3, K Hicken 2, A Baker 2, C Munro, J Toscan, J Nancarrow, R Newman
Best players: J Toscan, R Newman, C Munro, T Matheson, J Nancarrow, J Geddes