2018 SEASON
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Preliminary Final - Sunday September 16, 2018
Riverina Football Netball League
Venue: Narrandera Sportsground 2.15pm
Umpires: Tim Beard, Troy Edwards and Alex Manley (RUA)
Griffith ................... 5.3 .. 7.5 .. 11.7 .. 15.7 (97)
Ganmain-GGM .... 6.0 .. 9.5 .. 10,6 .. 12.8 (80)
GRIFFITH: Daniel Peruzzi, James Toscan, Dean Catanzariti; Michael Duncan, Jacob Conlan, Guy Orton; Isaac Campbell, Jordan Iudica, Toby Blissett; Kris Duncan, Charlie Cunial, Theo Valeri; Heath Northey, Lucas Conlan, Sam Daniel; Riley Irvin, Will Griggs, Ben King; Jonathon Gastin, Thomas Valeri, Reece Matheson, Daniel Andreazza
GANMAIN-GRONG GRONG-MATONG: Nathan Kember, Joshua Walsh, Andrew Roberts; Daniel Foley, James Wilson, Jack Sase; Matthew Knagge, Josh Bubnich, Zac Wienche; Thomas Anderson, Ben Walsh, Jack McCaig; Lachlan Parker, Riley Corbett, Matthew Hamblin; Jacob Olsson, Jessie Lander, Aaron Proctor; Fraser Menzies, Jethro Peck, Angus Cumming, Bradley Hare
GOALS
Griffith: K Duncan 3, H Northey 2, W Griggs 2, J Conlan 2, L Conlan, Theo Valeri, C Cunial, S Daniel, J Iudica, T Blissett
Ganmain-GGM: J Peck 4, R Corbett 4, B Walsh 2, L Parker, T Anderson
BEST PLAYERS
Griffith: H Northey, W Griggs, J Toscan, L Conlan, K Duncan, B King
Reports: Jordan Iudica for using abusive language towards umpire Troy Edwards - Reprimand.
MILESTONE: Kris Duncan 100th senior game.
A summary of match report, with thanks
GRIFFITH almost lifted the roof off their dressing room at Narrandera Sportsground on Sunday afternoon with a stirring rendition of the team song after booking the club's first grand final appearance in 14 years. It was an equally stirring performance on the paddock to earn it - a dramatic comeback to beat Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong 15.7 (97) to 12.8 (80) in the preliminary final, after being 23 points down in the second quarter and 17 points behind early in the third. "We've been talking a lot about belief throughout the last few weeks - well, this team's got fantastic character and resilience," Swans coach Will Griggs said. "It's fantastic for the town, great for the club with the reserves going through as well - two very spirited wins." The Swans celebrations were tempered after learning star midfielder Jordan Iudica was reported for umpire abuse in the third quarter. He faces an anxious wait to learn on Monday the severity of the charge and potential penalty.
Iudica blew up after a free kick against him 15 minutes into the third quarter with the Swans down by 10 and pressing forward. His reaction saw it escalate to a 50 metre penalty and a yellow card. Ironically, the incident lifted the Swans, who kicked three goals in five minutes shortly afterwards to hit the front for the first time since the end of the first quarter.
A seven-point lead wasn't a match-winning though, with GGGM to enjoy the breeze in the last and the Lions had tied it up after Riley Corbett's fourth goal four minutes in. But Griffith showed great composure, recovering with goals to Jacob Conlan and Griggs. GGGM were back within a goal midway through the term, but Iudica made sure the Swans capitalised on a Lions turnover coming out of defence.
His goal and the last of the game to Toby Blissett sealed the deal. It had been a freewheeling start with 11 goals before quarter-time as the Swans went from 15 points up to a goal down with GGGM's Jethro Peck kicking three beauties in a quarter. Peck then had his fourth early in the second term before Riley Corbett bomb opened up an almost-four-goal-lead. But the Swans had the luxury of swapping Lucas Conlan back and brother Jacob forward. And while they were hanging on in the second quarter, Kris Duncan found two important goals to ensure they went to the main break just 12 points down. Griggs said they refused to panic about potential straight sets exit and backed their game plan and fitness to finish strongly. Griggs, Heath Northey and Ben King were strong while Duncan's three goals were invaluable. Mick Duncan went off early in the first quarter with a high quad concern but did return in the final quarter and is confident he'll be right for the grand final.
GANMAIN-GRONG Grong-Matong coach Christin Macri said it hurt enormously to see his side work so hard to get in a strong position only to fall victim to a Griffith fightback. The Lions worked their way back from an early 15-point deficit to dominate much of the first three quarters, only to let a 23-point lead - and grand final appearance - get away. "We had an opportunity today, there's no doubt about it, and we put ourselves in a strong position at times and we made a couple of really crucial errors that allowed them to get their hands on the footy," Macri said. "Whether it was a few discipline things or not being clean enough with the footy. We spoke a lot about composure and at times today we just lacked a little bit. And that's hurt us." The Lions were confident heading into the last quarter but were overrun by a seasoned and composed Swans. Jacob Olsson was outstanding, while Jethro Peck's four goals in 15 minutes early was a highlight. (By Matt Malone).
Reserves
Griffith ................... 3.1 .. 6.2 .. 10.3 .. 11.3 (69)
Ganmain-GGM ..... 3.1 .. 6.5 .. 7.5 .. 9.8 (62)
Goals - Griffith: T Argus 3, N Witherspoon 3, T Howard, L Peruzzi, R Patey, J Evans, M Johns
Ganmain-GGM: S Foley 2, J Dyer 2, J Evans 2, P Lucas, E Daniher, C Linsell
Best players - Griffith: M Johns, J Crowe, N Witherspoon, R Johns, T Argus, C Harrison
Ganmain-GGM: P Lucas, L Vissenga, M Daniher, N Thomas, J Evans, N Anderson
Griffith: Chris Niven, Beau Rees, Jake Villata; Jordan Crowe, Jordan Burley, Cameron Harrison; Michael Agnew, Royce Johns, Luke Peruzzi; Jesse Ryan, Brady Chambers, Nick Witherspoon; John Evans, Todd Argus, Todd Howard; Rowan Patey, Rocco Perre, Michael Johns; Andrew Cappello, James Keenan, Ben McRae, Blake Testoni
Umpires: Andrew Tuovi, Tony O'Halloran and Paul McKelvie (RUA)
Under 17.5's
Collingullie-GP ..... 1.3 .. 1.4 .. 5.8 .. 9.13 (67)
Coolamon ............. 5.2 .. 6.8 .. 9.10 .. 12.11 (83)
Goals - Collingullie-GP: C Krebser 3, J Perryman 2, J Pope 2, B Sainsbury, J Conlan
Coolamon: R Allen 4, N Buchanan 3, L Delahunty 2, C McKelvie 2, G Okerenyang
Best players - Collingullie-GP: J Conlan, H Radley, J Pope, X Mamo, M Bryon, C Krebser
Coolamon: B Leary, R Allen, M Bradley, W McGowan, N Buchanan, L Delahunty
Umpires: Joel Fairman, Brayden McClintock and Andrew Tough (RUA)
Netball - A grade: Collingullie-GP 43 d Turvey Park 34; A reserve: Turvey Park 45 d Mangoplah-CUE 34; B grade: Leeton-Whitton 35 d Wagga Tigers 32; C grade: Collingullie-GP 30 d Griffith 24; Under 17's: Turvey Park 40 d Griffith 34.