1951 SEASON
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NOTED BY "STABPASS"
April 20: Previously regarded as the "ironman" of the Griffith team, Jack Luhrs created a mild sensation on Sunday, when, just before running out with the team, he carefully arranged his raven locks in a hair net, an act that occasioned loud wolf whistles.
However, there was nothing feminine about his play as several Matong players found when they tried to halt some of his crashing dashes.
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April 27: "A future champion ruckman" were the words used by Laurie Taylor, Coolamon's well known captain-coach, when discussing Tom Wade. Having his first game with the team, Tom, naturally was a bit slow to find his feet, but once he warmed up gave quite an impressive display.
Still very raw, he will derive great benefit from the coaching he is now getting, as he is very keen and enthusiastic about the game.
Playing a better class of football, too, should greatly improve him, and most members of the Griffith Club are sure that Laurie Taylor's prediction will come true before the season ends.
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April 27: The happy disposition stalwart of the Griffith eighteen, Keith Thompson was in a spot of bother in last Sunday's game when his shorts were almost torn off.
A new pair was rushed out, but before they could be donned, "Butch" was called upon to halt a Coolamon attack.
With the spare shorts in one hand and the ball in the other, "Butch" caused some amusement as he dashed down the centre to break up the attack.
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May 4: Called onto the field, when Jack Shrives had to retire with an ankle injury, Noel Tyndall performed so ably that he at least held his own with Ganmain's redoubtable wingster, Len Brill.
In fact the clash of the wingman, Len Brill - Noel Tyndall and Mick Carroll - Terry Wood provided one of the highlights of the game.
Noel, who is jockey size, plays with great determination and dash. As Geoff Willis remarked when he was coaching the team. "It is just as well he isn't two to three stone heavier - the casualty rate of his opponents would be too heavy."
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May 18: Playing only his second game of the season, Teddie Feltwell gave an outstanding display for Griffith last Sunday, and earned himself general commendation.
Ted certainly had a field day, his meteoric dashes leaving his opponent floundering and dismayed, and his characteristic high marks brought forth praise from Jack Corcoran, the well-known Junee and SWDFL representative.
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May 18: Included in the Marrar team on Sunday will be Jack Pattison of foot running fame, who won the Bendigo Easter Gift and was placed second in the much publicised and disputed decision of this year's Stawell Gift.
Jack, his foot running brothers Tom and Bernie, together with other fleet footed Marrar players will fully test the fast play-on system evolved by the pacy Griffith eighteen.
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May 25: While most of the older and more experienced members of the team had a bad day on Sunday, and played, as the coach bluntly put it, "Like old women," one of the youngest players in the side, Vic Ledwidge was earning general approbation for his dashing and determined efforts on the half back line.
The Griffith Cub is fortunate to have such promising young player to call on.
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May 25: Football followers in the SWDFL were deeply shocked to hear the death of Ron Luhrs at Leeton, in a shooting accident.
Until last season when he retired and took on umpiring, Ron or "Scottie" as he was better known, had for many years been a prominent member of the Leeton team.
He was universally well liked and respected, and his cheery personality will be greatly missed.
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June 6: With five players - Keith Thompson, Jack Luhrs, Fred Clarke, Ted Feltwell and Terry Wood - Griffith have a large representation in the SWDFL team selected to a play a benefit game for Mrs. Keith Shea, at Albury on Monday.
A pleasing gesture on the part of the League was the invitation to the executive of the Griffith Club to join the official party and travel with the team.
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June 15: Although it rained continuously, quite a large crowd turned up at the Albury Oval on Monday to see the game between a combined Albury team and the SWDFL played as a testimonial for Keith Shea's widow.
The SWDFL eighteen performed very creditable in the very slippery conditions, and except for the third quarter more than held their own. However, the seven goals scored by the Albury players in the third term burst, left no doubt as to result of an otherwise low scoring game.
Before play began, several foot running and kicking contests were decided for some nice trophies donated by the Carlton Football Club. Dud Mattingly of Matong with a mighty effort, took the trophy for the long kick, while a SWDFL team comprising Terry Wood and Ted Feltwell (Griffith), Des Lynch (Leeton) and Bernie Pattison (Marrar) proved too fast for the other teams in the relay.
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June 29: Members of the Griffith eighteen at Coolamon on Sunday were highly amused by the following incident.
A Griffith official included a bottle of wine in his kit to give the team a small "nip" for the final term and left his bag open under a tree while the match was in progress.
On returning to pick up his bag, he found an empty bottle and five shillings in silver alongside.
Two well-known Coolamon identities enjoyed the remainder of the game apparently well-fortified against the cold wintry conditions.
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July 6: When asked how he managed to kick a goal on Sunday, Keith Thompson nonchalantly replied, "It's easy," but it is not believed he will approach the selectors with the idea of being transferred to the forwards.
No doubt "Butch's" feat will arouse aspirations in the breast of his boon companion "Man" Luhrs.
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July 13: One of the few Griffith players to play to form on Sunday was the pacy centre winder, Terry Wood, who played brilliantly all day and gave a splendid display of fast, intelligent football.
Terry is probably playing his best football this season and week after week he has consistently been one of Griffith's best.
Rumour has it that he will be seen in another of his sporting activities on Sunday when he will be one of the participants in a challenge foot race before the Griffith-Ganmain game.
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July 13: Never before has the Griffith Club had so many enthusiastic and willing workers.
On the morning before each home game a number of keen members, organised and led by the enthusiastic and hard-working secretary, Roy Riley, prepare the ground, dressing rooms, etc., for use in the afternoon, and their efforts have been much appreciated by visiting teams.
But perhaps the hardest workers of all are the members of the Ladies Auxiliary. These ladies at each home match conduct the afternoon tea booth and regularly sell 40 and 60 dozen pies and cups of tea. Each fortnight the ladies organise a social and dance, and at regular intervals they conduct street stalls, one of which will be held on Saturday. At the moment, however, their main interests and thoughts are centred around arrangements for the Footballers Ball in the Hanwood Hall on August 3.
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July 27: Making a belated appearance in the team this season, Brian Higgins is finding it a little difficult to regain the brilliant form of past seasons. However, with another game or two and some arduous training this brainy and talented player should be at his top, and teaming smoothing and effectively with his fellow forwards.
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July 27: Probably the most pleased man after the game on Sunday was captain-coach Ken Hansen, whose fractured hand is keeping him out of football. With his fractures knitting very slowly, Ken has several more Sundays to view the game outside.
Ken's off sider, "Collingwood Jack" Taylor was back in the team last Sunday and inspired them to greater efforts with his dogged determination and great enthusiasm.
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August 24: While most of the praise for Griffith's win at Narrandera last Sunday went to the defenders, quite a deal of praise was given to "Bluey" Kirley for his excellent game on the half forward flank.
Scouting wide and cleverly eluding his opponents most of the day, "Blue" rendered yeoman service and apart from his clever scouting more than held his own in the crushes, by his judicious use of his weight.