GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" April 5, 2003 - No. 1
Well here we are for a new season. 2002 is behind us and we are looking forward. It's no good crying over spilt milk, we were beaten by a better side on the day but it was still a sensational year overall. We do, however, have something to celebrate and Greg Collins will be unfurling the Reserve Grade premiership flag today.
We lost a few and gained a few. Losses include both our leading League goal kickers in 1sts and 2nds, Danny Beriman and Shane Ruyg, also Shayne Driscoll. A few retirees including Shawn and Chris Conlan, plus tranfers Nat Malone, Josh Fisher and Jeremy Way to Barellan and Graham Foley, Guy Kelly and Jason Magoci to Hillston and David Kidman back to Leeton. We also welcome Michael Johns, who goes to Canberra for work and at this stage we have not cleared him, so perhaps he may still play for us when he comes home on weekends. Welcome back to Rodney Savage, who also played with us a while ago, Jason Vant back from Urana, Glen Vaccari returns from a season at Barellan and Matt McDonald joins us from Ardlethan. Welcome also to all those Under 16's, who now step up to the Under 18's officially, and we are hopeful that will again be able to accommodate some of the NRFL boys who want to play Aussie Rules.
Cian Ebert again is at the helm for the Seniors with Jon O'Dwyer as his assistant, and Rodney Duncan has been made captain this year. Greg Dreyer will be coaching the 2nds with George Duncan and Joe Catanzariti taking the arduous task of getting the Under 18's team on the paddock each week. Despite our advertising campaign, we will again be struggling for numbers so if anyone knows of any kids who are even slightly interested in playing Aussie Rules, put them in touch with George.
Many thanks to our major sponsor, the Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Club for their continued support. Once again we have associated sponsors in McDonalds, who are sponsoring the three grades as are the Griffith Newsagency with Riverina Watertek sponsoring the warm up tops, Dredge Machinery will be sponsoring the shorts, and Area Hotel for the training singlets. Many, many thanks to all those sponsors, we couldn't do without you and we hope that those of you who were able to attend our Sponsors Night last Saturday enjoyed yourselves.
Again we'll be having weekly awards for each grade and we need to thank the following businesses for their continued support: Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Club, Snuggle-In, Autobarn, McDonalds (3 grades), Family Hotel at Carrathool, Ron's Auto One, Fred & Rod McNabb, Area Hotel, Halls Butchery, Synergee, Video Ezy, Enbee for Hair, Il Corso.
The 'Player of the Year' competition was again keenly contested last year and is a 'goer' again this year. Run in conjunction with Alf Trefilo from Traveland and the Area News, the competition is eligible to all players and could be won by an U18 as a senior as seen by last year when Ben Wade won by one vote over Phillip Rowston and Shane Ruyg. The winner will receive a Gold Coast Holiday with 3 nights accommodation and plane fare.
Once again the Club will have four teams in the Netball competition, sponsored by Griffith Newsagency and the Juniors by Danny's Store. A Grade will be coached by Jodie Landy, B Grade by Rachel Dreyer and C Grade by Cassandra Malone, whilst the Juniors are yet to announce their coach.
Again there are many businesses and individuals that have agreed to be game sponsors for the Seniors and today's game sponsors are Keith & Helen Mitchell from Bidgee Marine & Mitchell Ag Parts, and we thank them for their support.
Just as last year, we start the season with a game against MCUE, but this year, they come to us twice and today the Juniors are also playing against Temora. Let's start the season with a clean sweep. Up The Swans!
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