Round 9 - Saturday June 21, 2014
Riverina Football Netball League 
Venue: Griffith Exies Oval 2.10pm
Umpires: B Robinson and ? (RUA) 
Griffith .................. 1.1 .. 2.4 .. 5.8 .. 7.8 (50) 
Collingullie-AK .... 1.4 .. 4.8 .. 7.10 .. 9.16 (70) 
GRIFFITH: Tom West, James Taylor, Dean Crack; Benom McRae, T Webb, Jonathon Gastin; Daniel Peruzzi, Michael Duncan, Luke Peruzzi; James Fallon, James Toscan, Glen Snaidero; Brandon Mathews, Michael Griffiths, Dominic Giorgi; Josh Hamilton, Guy Orton, Tim Matheson; Trevor Richards, Tom Shannon, Fletcher Josling, Joel Hourigan
COLLINGULLIE-ASHMONT-KAPOOKA: Mitchell Castles, Luke Powell, Joe Banks; Daniel Kennedy, Kallum Sykes, Brad Aiken, Matthew Kennedy, Jayden Klemke, Nick Perryman; Brenton Loudon, Jack Turnbull, Nick Kennedy; Matt Beckmans, Brent Arho, Brayden Ambler; Chris Jackson, Jack Egan, Chris Gordon; Lachlan Moore, Harry Perryman, Tom Byrnes, Ben Raulston 
GOALS
Griffith: G Snaidero 2, M Griffiths, T Richards, M Duncan, J Gastin, D Giorgi
Collingullie-AK: B Arho 5, M Kennedy, B Aiken, T Byrnes, C Gordon 
BEST PLAYERS
Griffith: G Orton, T Matheson, J Hamilton, T West, J Gastin, M Duncan
Collingullie-AK: D Kennedy, B Arho, B Aiken, K Sykes, B Loudon, M Kennedy

A summary of match report, with thanks
The Griffith Swans went agonisingly close to springing one of the biggest upsets of the Riverina Football League season on Saturday. Joint ladder leaders Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka claimed a 20-point win from the match at Exies Oval, but the home side was left to rue what might have been after the match swung on its head late in the final term. With all the momentum, Griffith’s Mick Duncan had marked and was lining up for a shot at goal that would have put the Swans ahead for the first time in the match with about 10 minutes left on the clock.

But the ball was taken off him when a scuffle broke out involving new Swans recruit Josh Hamilton, who was sent off by the umpires. A 50-metre penalty was subsequently awarded to the Demon, who took full advantage, eventually goaling at the other end to steady themselves for the 9.16 (7) to 7.8 (50) triumph.
Griffith coach Brandon Mathews is growing tired of honourable losses but said he was immensely proud of his players for taking it to a bonafide RFL contender. “The effort was there,” he said. “Everyone had a go right until the siren sounded. “There’re obviously moments in the game where things break down for a little while, but we were in it right to the end. “If a couple of things go your way it’s a different story.

“But we sort of know where we’re at – they’re a bloody good footy side that’s been successful for such a long time. “You’ve got to put it in perspective. “Nobody likes losing but to compete like that for four quarters is a massive improvement on the last few weeks.”
The Swans never headed the Demons at any stage but were in touch throughout the entire contest, trailing by three points at quarter-time before Collingullie’s lead lengthened to 26 at the final change. But the likes of Guy Orton, Tim Matheson, Tom West and Jono Gastin were instrumental as Griffith rallied back to give the Demons a late fright. “The result sees Griffith slip to two wins outside of the top five, but ahead of next week’s home clash with Turvey Park, Mathews is staying optimistic. “If we do keep going like that, it will turn around,” he said.

“I imagine if we play like we did on Saturday then the results will take care of themselves.”

(By Vince Rugari - The Area News, Monday June 23, 2014). Note this was the final AFL article by Vince Rugari for The Area News before heading off to write for the Cairns Post (one of the best!).

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OTHER MATCHES - SAT: Leeton-Whitton 7.11 (53) def by Coolamon 14.15 (99), Mangoplah-CUE 15.9 (99) def Turvey Park 3.1 (19), Wagga 9.6 (60) def Narrandera 8.6 (54); Ganmain-GGM, bye.

Reserves: Griffith 8.8 (56) def Collingullie-AK 8.5 (53)
Goals: D Dunbar 3, S McCanna, A Cappello, T Howard, P Whittard, K. Hume
Best Players: J Tyrell, B Tarr, J Keenan, R Bulluss, P Whittard, D Catanzariti 
Under 17: Griffith 13.17 (95) def Collingullie-AK 5.2 (32) 
Goals: C Cunial 6, M Peruzzi 2, T Argus 2, W Kennedy 2, D Camm
Best Players: B French, K Ruyg, R Holland, R Cassidy, C Cunial, B Testoni