2007 RFL SEASON RESULTS
Round 1 - Sunday April 15, 2007
Riverina Football League
Venue: Griffith Exies Oval 2.10pm
Umpires: Tim Beard and Paul Smith (RUA)
Griffith ...................... 6.5 .. 11.5 .. 21.8 .. 27.14 (176)
Eastern Hawks ...... 1.5 .. 7.6 .. 11.8 .. 15.9 (99)
GRIFFITH: Jason Hampel, Matthew Kenny, Dean Jamieson; Roger Heenan, Simon Spiers, James Toscan; Ben Ford, Luke McLean (c-c), Josh Ward; Daniel Meade, Jeff Micken, Jarred Wilson*; Zach Lewis*, Craig Conlan, Jason Malone; Brock Harrison*, Matthew McDonald, Michael Duncan; Graham Foley, Dean Crack, Peter Hunt
EASTERN HAWKS: Mark Adams, Andrew Craig, Jay Peace; Barry O'Brien (c-c), Levi Pollett, Stephen Thompson; Andrew White, Danny Bromham, Glenn Cole; Eddie Whyman, Brenton Roberts, Brad Kiley; Aiden Ridley, Ben Perkins, Luke Adams; Wayne Rolla, Joel Grieve, Mitch Reberger; Chris Pedler, Ryan Campbell, Nathan Scott 
GOALS
Griffith: Z Lewis 5, J Wilson 4, D Meade 4, M McDonald 3, D Crack 3, J Malone 2, M Duncan 2, C Conlan 2, B Ford, L McLean
Eastern Hawks: B Perkins 8, M Reberger 2, L Adams, B O'Brien, J Grieve, G Cole, C Pedler
BEST PLAYERS
Griffith: L McLean, M Duncan, J Wilson, Z Taylor, R Heenan, B Ford, M McDonald
Eastern Hawks: L Pollett, B Perkins, J Grieve, W Rolla, M Reberger, J Peace
SENIOR DEBUT: Brock Harrison, Zach Lewis, Jarrod Wilson

A summary of match report, with thanks
The Griffith Swans have made a statement in their opening round Riverina Football League clash, thrashing the Eastern Hawks by 77 points at the Exies Oval. The Swans' newest recruits shone as Griffith capitalised on some disjointed and sloppy football from the Hawks, who were barely kept in the contest by coach Ben Perkins's eight goals.

Griffith hit its straps early with a six-goal opening quarter and continued to punish the Wagga side after the first break. Zach Lewis, who only joined the Swans on Thursday, kicked two first quarter goals up forward and the towering Brock Harrison dominated the ruck.

After pushing their lead to six goals midway through the second term, the Hawks clawed their way back to just two kicks behind leading up to half-time. Daniel Meade was clinical in front of goals for the Swans as he, Jarrod Wilson, Matt McDonald and Ben Ford all scored from set shots in the third quarter as the Swans went on a 10 goal to four scoring sprees.

Ill-discipline and the inability to get out of their our 50 hurt the Hawks as the Swans took full advantage. Although the intensity dropped off in the final quarter, the Swans were still able to continue the rout as Jason Malone, Meade and captain-coach Luke McLean all picked up goals.

"I thought we played some good footy and the new fellas like Jarrod Wilson, Zach Lewis ... and Brock all did well," McLean said.

"We had eight guys in the side that hadn't played together before so considering that it was a good effort.

"A few people had the Eastern Hawks in the top three or four and with those eight new blokes we can only get better each game.

"Reserve grade had a good win as well, so I think the club is going in the right direction."

A despondent Perkins described his side's season opener as "unfortunate". "I suppose it's good to get that one out of the road and lucky it's the last time we have to come over here this year," Perkins said. (By Will Gilroy - The Area News, Monday April 16, 2007).

​

OTHER MATCHES - SAT: Mangoplah-CUE 12.19 (91) def by Coolamon 17.12 (114), Narrandera 27.10 (172) def Ganmain-GGM 12.10 (82); SUN: Turvey Park 7.4 (46) def by Wagga Tigers 20.18 (138); Leeton-Whitton, bye 

Reserves: Griffith 19.17 (131) def Eastern Hawks 8.8 (56)
Goals: Brent Harrison 8, M Crack 3, C Lugton 3, P Rowston 2, J Gastin, J Harris, S Portolesi
Best players: P Rowston, C Forwood, M Crack, B Harrison, N Campbell
Under 18: Griffith d Eastern Hawks on forfeit