Round 9 - Saturday 18 June 2016
Riverina Football Netball League
Venue: Griffith Exies Oval 2.10pm
Umpires: Tim Beard and Ryan Dedini (RUA)
Griffith ................ 1.1 .. 3.3 .. 6.3 .. 7.4. (46) 
Wagga Tigers .... 5.0 .. 7.3 .. 7.7 .. 13.13 (91) 
GRIFFITH: Michael Johns, James Toscan, Sam Foley; Jonathon Gastin, Bwau Rees, Sam Daniel; Tyler Bruns, Jordan Iudica, Alex Blissett; Kieran Ruyg, Jacob Conlan, Ben Tarr; Michael Duncan, Kyle Lynch, Will Griggs; Steven McCanna, Guy Orton, Ben King; Andrew Cappello, Ben McRae, Daniel Peruzzi
WAGGA TIGERS: Lachlan Myers, John Anstee, Nick McCormack; Campbell Lovell, Dale Walker, Pat O'Connell; Jake Gaynor, Shaun Campbell, Shaun Driscoll; Brady Morton, Ben Kelly, Scott Lucas; Jackson Kelly, Jim Carroll, John Buchanan; Brad Graham, Jacob Osbeiston, Dylan Morton; Tom Davis, Carter Lovell, Jake Hodge 
GOALS
Griffith: B King 3, B Tarr, A Blissett, S Daniel, M Johns 
Wagga: J Buchanan 6, B Morton 4, S Campbell, B Kelly, J Kelly 
BEST PLAYERS
Griffith: J Toscan, J Ludica, G Orton, B King, J Conlan, W Griggs 
Wagga: J Buchanan, P O'Connell, C Lovell, J Anstee, J Carroll, B Graham 

A summary of match report, with thanks
The Griffith Swans came up short in their top of the table Riverina League clash on Saturday. The second-placed Swans played host to the Wagga Tugers and fell behind early and despite a second half rally, fell 13.13 (91) to 7.4 (46) at Exies Oval. Tigers blew Griffith away with a five-goal opening term but when they were held goalless in the third quarter, Griffith were back within 10 points and coming with momentum.  With the Tigers unblemished record on the line, they lifted and produced a six-goal final term to come away with the four points. Crafty Tigers forward John Buchanan was the star with a six-goal best-on-ground performance, in the absence of his sidekick Rob Tuohey.
Swans director of coaching Adrian Pavese couldn’t fault his boys for the damage Buchanan did in front of goal. “He just couldn’t miss,” Pavese said. “We were quite happy with the job we did on him. “We pushed him wide, but he was banging them home from 45 on the angle.” The Swans had their moments, kicking five goals to two during the middle two quarters. Pavese said the team just ran out of steam in the final term. “We just ran out of puff,” he said. “When you give a side that big a lead, it takes huge effort to get within 10. 
Despite the loss, the Swans still sit in second place at the halfway point of the season with one game buffers over the next two teams. Their percentage leaves a lot to be desired though, ranking just fourth. Pavese was delighted with the start to the season. “We’re well ahead of schedule,” he said. “We showed that our best footy is good enough to match it with anyone.” Ben King was Griffith’s best, winning plenty of the ball through the midfield, whilst also kicking three goals. Both teams still have plenty up their sleeves with Alex Birch, Nathan Richards, Dean Crack and Che Jenkins all to come into the Swans team. (The Area News – Monday June 20, 2016).  

 

OTHER MATCHES - SAT: Leeton-Whitton 32.16 (208) def Turvey Park 5.3 (33), Narrandera 4.7 (31) def by Collingullie-GP 16.11 (107); SUN: Coolamon 6.4 (40) def by Mangoplah-CUE 12.12 (84); Ganmain-GGM, bye.

Reserves: Wagga Tigers 16.17 (113) def Griffiith 4.5 (29) 
Goals: E Murphy 3, R Johns
Best Players: R Johns, J Crowe, B French, K Hume, L Peruzzi, D Villata
Under 17: Griffith 12.9 (81) def Wagga Tigers 3.5 (23)
Goals: R Matheson 3, R Greenaway 3, J Rowston 2, M Agnew, S Witherspoon, A Coldwell, L Butcher
Best Players: A Coldwell, D Schmetzer, T Clarke, J Rowston, M Agnew, L Fabris