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1987 SEASON
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GRIFFITH CLUB NOTES

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" April 5, 1987 - No. 1
Notes not available at time of printing - Griffith, bye.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" April 12, 1987 - No. 2

Contrary to opinion the Swans are not dead and buried. Congratulations to Martin 'Ducky' O'Donnell as coach of the Seniors. Shane 'Bat' Best who has the 2nds after Robert 'Claude' Crowe's work commitments ruled him out, and Brother Ed Havelock for the Under 19's. Training has been excellent, although members are down. Spirit and endeavour have been tremendous with good performances at the Wagga and Whitton knockouts - particularly by the younger players - Peter Lonergan, 'Spanner' Spencer and Justin Barry.

We would warmly welcome our generous sponsor for 1987 - the Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Club. Warm-up tops have been generously supplied to the Under 19's by George Murray's Beelbangera Store and Coca Cola, the Reserve Grade by Beautiful Bricks and the Seniors by individual business people whose named are in the Clubhouse.

Best wishes to club stalwart Gerard Toscan on his baby daughter Kate and his coaching appointment at Coleambally.

Congrats to Grant Henderson on his election as RFL President.

Our selectors this year are Graham Leask, Shane Best and Gary Waters. The heads are on the block fellas. Vacancies still exist for the Committee - give Mary (Collins) a ring. Good luck to all clubs this season. Up The Swannies!

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" April 26, 1987 - No. 3
Two losses, two K.O.'s, too hot and too many dogs at the footy, that's how it was last Sunday at the Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Oval. Ted's Under 19's had a forfeit and this leaves the boys without a game of footy until the fifth round!!!
Besties' boys lacked a little fitness and the heat also accounted for a few players and allowed E.W.K. 2nds to win easily. With the best players being Rowan Johnstone, Frankie 'Avalon' Morgan, Bob Berton, Peter 'Wedding Cake Island' Royal, and many thanks must go to the Under 19's who made up the numbers for the day.
In the First Grade encounter the boys didn't fair too bad except for one Greg 'Splash' Collins who for some unknown reason headbutted an opposing players fist and made a quick exit from the game just when we needed him most, leaving the side slightly under-manned and allowing E.W.K. to take the points in a torrid hard-fought game. Best players were Wayne Bottcher, Robbie Owen, Neil Bruce and Greg 'Splash' Collins until injured.
Another player who didn't make it to the social was Mark Sutton, ex-Wombat and Area News reporter who collapsed after the game and spent Monday in Hospital. A sore point, not on any footballer's body either, seems to be the number of people bringing their canine companions to the footy and parking them near the crowd. Commonsense must prevail as sooner or later with a little child running around the good ol' doggie is going to do a N.T. Croc act on someone.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" May 3, 1987 - No. 4
Oh, what a feeling Narrandera. After 6 long years of coming off second best we finally broke the drought.
The side underwent a transformation from ugly ducklings into Swans (well all except Marty - he remains the Duck).
The day was full of highlights including Harro's shot for goal from centre half back which bounced through for a behind. Robbie Owen's head hunting experience. Brendan 'Arlo' Guthrie's handful of goals and Ducky's tiptoeing escapade through half a dozen players which resembled Tiny Tim with a receding hairline.
But it was a different story in the Second Grade fixture with Shane's boys going down quicker than Essendon did against the mighty Blues. The only outstanding players being Bobby Berton, Roy 'the boy' Agresta, Frankie 'Avalon' Morgan and the man who makes Bruce Doull look beautiful, Lennie Brown. Once again the side was indebted to the U19s players who helped make up the numbers.
Red Ted's Under 19's came out of hibernation and played and won a game with best man afield young Michael 'Sam' Foxall playing a game that would have put him on par with Gary Ablett. Helped out by Peter Lonergan, the Norma Jeans man and a few other players who haven't been around long enough to know that it costs to get there in the Record. This week Coolamon. Let's take the jump out of the 'hoppers'.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" May 10, 1987 - No. 5
Winfield Championship.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" May 17, 1987 - No. 6
As the sun slowly set over the Ex-Servicemen's Oval and the dust settled many a thirsty supporters and players found their way into the Pavilion to ponder over the day's football which resulted in three hard earned (as always) wins against Coolamon. The only bad aspect of the day was Darrell Collins who sustained an ankle injury.
But we didn't get out of it that easy, as Coolamon take their socialising as serious as they take their footy!
Better players were Robbie 'BP' Owen and Andrew Romo*!x#
The Seconds recorded their first win for the year with a thrilling one-point win. With Mark 'Clark Kent' Sutton being best player while newcomer and Pete Royal's co-driver Andy O'Dea also putting in a fine effort. It was also good to see young 'Bruno' Ceccato return to the fold.
The Under 19's also had a good win with the young ones getting better every game and being a true credit to Ted 'The Ed' Havelock's untiring work. This week we battle with the Redlegs, so let's make our shortest trip of the year worth warming the car up for.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" May 24, 1987 - No. 7
Winfield Championship.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" May 31, 1987 - No. 8

Our First-Grade side ended up in more trouble than the Fijian Government during our last game. Some blokes must have thought they were playing in Suva, not Leeton. But they were brought down to earth (not sand) quicker than you could say military takeover. You'll think Botch's 100th game would be enough to motivate a side to storm a political building but alas it was not to be, maybe the not so tropical climate could have been a contributing factor. Anyway Brendan 'Arlo' Guthrie bagged four goals while Mal '29 kicks' Williams, Robbie 'B'P' Owen, Andy '5 goals' Romagnolo and Darrell Collins all tried hard.
The 2nd Grade side with new recruits Garry Waters and Ian Sheppard won a close match. A highlight of the game was the resurgence of the 'Lying Down Luhrs Mark' by Bad Bardo the battler from Benerambah, who took about three unbelievable screamers which amazed everyone including Sunny 'double-decker-bus' who had his first outing as a strapper since being recruited from overseas by Richard Carlton. Fabulous Frankie Morgan who seems to be getting better with every game won the best player award which this week was a trip home in a flash sports car.
The Under 19's encounter was a rougher outing than most of the boys had expected with young Bomber Browne having to leave the field in the hands of the trainers, who this week saw the return of the one and only Rajah who makes Fagin from Oliver Twist look like a saint. Peter Lonergan also was assisted from the field with slight concussion. This left 'Spanner' Spencer to take the best player of the day award.
A special thanks must go to Roger Biron and Craig Burley for playing two games to make up the numbers in the 2nds. Young Greg Dreyer was also going to offer his services but was busy combing his hair when the match was about to start. Up The Swans!

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" June 7, 1987 - No. 9
I'd like to tell you a story of a local footy team .... all the players young, fit and keen. They took on the undefeated competition leaders and had them beat, or so it seems ... but the opposition had to comeback there was no doubting, and when the final siren went it was all over bar the shouting!
Yes if it was a fishing tale, it would have been the one that got away.
Darrell 'Pin' Collins played superbly, as did Andrew 'TJ' Smith, Robbie Owen and Mal Williams.
The 2nd Graders, well, if everyone had tried as hard as Shane 'Bat' Best then the side might have done better. Gary Waters is like a good wine getting better with age (hang onto 16 as long as you can). Speaking of youngsters, young Francis Morgan took an unbelievable screamer worthy of a couple lines in the Record.
The Under 19's paid the penalty for wasting too long to get started and went down, although outscoring the opposition in the second half. Danny Files won best player. Others to play good games were Wayne 'Spanner' Spencer, Roger Biron and Wayne 'Groove' Tyndall. But the best performance of the day was Greg Dreyer trying to emulate Mike Tyson.
Thanks go to Peter Lonergan who played eight quarters of football straight, helping out to make up the numbers for the Second-Grade side.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" June 13, 1987 - No. 10

Next Sunday we'll be saying 'Thank God for the Salvo' - last Sunday the 2nds were saying 'Thank God for the U19s'. It was fortuitous for them that AP-M doesn't field an U19 side because they desperately needed to fill in when the long weekend, weddings, 21st, bar mitzvahs and injuries and a multitude of other excuses depleted the numbers in the 2nds.
There were a couple of comebacks which made Lazarus hardly worth a mention. Joe Catanzariti came out of retirement as did the mercurial 'Sheeds' Wade, and both played full games - the latter did however, appear to be lacking match practice but was later heard to say that he could have got more kicks but was being his usual unselfish self!
However, the inclusion of such talent did not help and in a game which never reached any great heights, the 2nds went down to AP-M. Lou Testoni played well in the ruck and Shane 'Bat' Best was again solid in defence and won the pewter. The younger brigade acquitted themselves well but the main problem seemed to be the lack of a forward line. A goalless third quarter told the sad tale.
The 1sts took the field without Robbie Owen and Richie Turner - both sidelined with injuries and we hope they'll soon be back. Their injuries gave Bob Berton a chance in 1sts after several good games in the 2nds and young Roger 'Biro' Biron received the big promotion.
The game started at a cracking pace with all players fully committed. For the second week Mark Tyndall played well - a much improved player from last year which shows the benefit of being able to train every night. Bob Berton's nerves would have been calmed a little by his goal in the first quarter and a win seem assured.
However, it was not to be and despite the dogged determination of Mal Williams, Darrell Collins, Wayne Bottcher and Marty O'Donnell we again let a winning lead be whittled away and finished the day with a deficit.
At the time of writing it was not known who, if anyone, had got the pewter. It was certainly not announced in the rooms after the game. There will obviously have been a great deal of soul-searching done and it is hoped some of the problems have been sorted out.
Today we take on the Wagga Tigers and it would be nice to repeat last year's effort and come away with the points. The 2nds will again be struggling for numbers as is usual against Tigers.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" June 21, 1987 - No. 11
What a black day it was for the Swans last Sunday when we travelled to Robertson Oval to meet the Tigers. We know we would be hard hit as far as unavailability was concerned because of the Saturday game but no-one believed that we could go down without such a whimper.
The Under 19's started the game with only 15 players and just before quarter time were still scoreless whilst the opposition had in excess of 12 goals on the board. Nothing seem to work and it is to the credit of the youngsters that they kept trying. The loss, however, still sees them in 3rd position as all the top teams last week were on 16 points each and therefore the boys are still a chance.
As if the 100 point defeat wasn't enough for some Under 19's, at least a dozen of them, possible more, turned around and ran back on for the 2nds and were again subjected to another humiliating defeat when the 2nds went down by in excess of 100 points. It would appear at the time of writing that no-one in the 2nds was awarded the pewter although Ian Shephard could possible have got the award for his effort at fullback. Again we saw another great resurrection when Mouse (Harrison) handed over his goal umpiring duties to Graham Leask and took to the field. Sheeds (Ian Wade) managed to hide until the start of the game and then disappeared into the warmth of the timekeeper's box whilst Bob Berton did a dressing / undressing act with speed that could only be matched by Superman. He finally took the field for the Firsts.
'Beam Me Up Scotty'. Was this what Mr Marty O'Donnell capt-coach, football mentor and very frustrated man heard to mutter at the half-time interval in the far off distant city of Wagga as he was forced to watch the abysmal style of football his side produced in the first half. The thought of hypnotising his side back to mother earth to tune in on the game must have crossed his (master) mind. But few would argue that our first Saturday for the 1987 will long be remembered more for the unsuccessful attempt to obtain entry into the well-known Wagga nite spot or the food & wine at an exotic restaurant than the afternoon's football in which Gerard Pieper played his 200th game for Wagga - congratulations. Dave Johnston won our best player award with solid performances from Darrell Collins, Neil Bruce and Andrew 'Spa Pool' Smith.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" June 28, 1987 - No. 12
Notes not available at time of printing - Griffith, bye.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" July 4, 1987 - No. 13
This week 'A' scribe owes Ms Liz Wright an apology after being incorrectly mistaken and indited over an occurrence at a home game earlier in the season. The club would be at a loss without such a charming and lovely supporter such as Liz available.
The 1st Grade would have been a lot worse off in their encounter with Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in Mal 'Maliboo' Williams hadn't taken the field. Although the weather was very ordinary Greg 'Tarzan' Collins was anything but PLAIN even after hitting his jaw against an opponent fist which had him 'spread well' over the ground, did he slow down.
The win was most encouraging after playing the best part of the game without star defender Andrew 'Romo' Romagnolo, who wanted to practice drinking for the upcoming fishing trip and adjourned to the bar early in the match.
The Second Graders battled all day to peg back the first quarter lead Ganmain had jumped to and in the end put in an encouraging effort with Joe 'The Cat' Catanzariti winning the best player award after a 15 year layoff?
The Under 19's also went down and must now regroup behind new coach Mr. Foxall to fight out the rest of the season. Best player was Pete Lonergan.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" July 12, 1987 - No. 14
The absence through injury of several key players certainly made it hard to contain the East Wagga Hawks last Saturday, as the scoreboard showed, although Darrell Collins, Dave Johnson and Neil Bruce tried in vain all day. The game saw the return to the First Grade scene of Garry Waters and the promotion of Jamie Horne from the U19s. On a brighter note the return of Andrew Romagnolo, Andrew 'S.P.' Smith and Robbie 'B.P.' Owen from injury could see the side transformed from boiled lollies to chocolates. Much to Smithy's 'Turkish' Delight.
Romo's attempt to put Greyhound & Ansett Pioneer bus lines out of business went terribly wrong when the 'Rombo Mobile' failed to get a star 2nd Grade player to Wagga in time for the start of the 2nds match, a move which some critics say cost the side the four points.
Shane 'Chainsaw' Best had hoped his side would demolish the opposition in such a manner he attacked three acres of forest on a recent fishing trip, but alas the scene was more reminiscent of a Tom & Jerry cartoon than the chain saw massacre 'Bat' had expected. The game saw more comebacks than a boomerang with Steve 'Busta' Best coming out of retirement, Ian 'Obe' Geddes back from his magical mystery tour, Micky Toth back from who knows where to win the pewter and Rowan Johnstone from his honeymoon.
The Under 19's had to take on more than they had bargained for, when after being unable to field a side in the first round at Griffith, the East Wagga boys more than made up for it last week, when they overfilled their quota and fielded more players than legally allowed. But that's football as my side saw it this week. Every side for itself.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" July 19, 1987 - No. 15
Wins in the 1st Grade and Under 19's enhanced their finals hopes and the 2nd Grade's draw was always better than getting beaten. The game saw Spanner (Wayne Spencer) mix it with the 1st grade boys again and Danny Files made his 1st grade debut as well as Ian 'I've been everywhere man' Geddes making his return to 1st grade for the year, and both put in excellent games. Robert 'Hot Dog' Harrington's long kicking won him the pewter, enabling him and others to kick long into the night at the social. Burly Dave Johnson filled in quite impressively for the injured 'Splash' and 'Room Mate' Romo again forced from the field early with an injury.
The 2nd Grade came from behind at half-time to force a draw. Roy 'Amp' Agresta lead the way as usual with Shane Best at his best at CHB. Rowan 'The Married One' Johnstone showed that marriage hasn't slowed him down, though he wasn't even fast as a single guy! Warren 'Wow' Bellincanta kicked his first goal for the season and is confident of leading the goalkicking at the end of the season.
The Under 19's, under fill-in coach Ian 'Slug Jordan' Geddes, recorded a big win with young Mick Foxall snagging eight and Wally (Lamont) playing playing like a man possessed by spirits, but a good game by Paul Biron won him the award.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" July 26, 1987 - No. 16
Notes not available at time of printing.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" August 2, 1987 - No. 17
Our usual hard tussle with Leeton produced three favourable results. The Under 19's played brilliant football aided by the return of Wayne 'Spanner' Spencer and Greg 'Fifty' Dreyer from their first-grade stints.
David Alpen won the award this week closely followed by Garry Lane and 'Young Fella Lono' Lonergan, while Phil 'Filthy' Kenny should win an award for correctly likening a famous identity around the club to Mel Gibson. Wally Lamont (Malibu's Brother) was a victim of a social function held on Saturday night as were some 2nd Graders who fronted on Sunday wearing sunglasses and singing "Too many times I've seen the sun come up ...'.
The 2nd Grade fought their way back to a one point win with Mick Delahunty winning the award and Bobby 'Sticky Fingers' Berton winning the new 'Kentucky Fried Chicken' award. David Alpen again fronted up to fill in for the 2nds and will be sadly missed when he goes as will 'Wild Man' Bronno who has been a great help.
Neil Bruce won the pewter in a rough and tumble 1st Grade encounter after taking battering which would have stopped Jeff Fenech in his tracks. While David 'Snow' Taylor and Darren 'Panco' Prest shared the crack-a-carton award. But the star of the day had to be our very own version of superman who during the week assumed the role of a quiet insurance rep, but on Sundays becomes 'Superboy' able to push 'Sam 2 Can' Wade around in a single wheelbarrow, take on spectators and players all at one time, and becomes the star attractions at the social at night. This effort almost eclipsed Paul Biron's sensational First Grade debut.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" August 9, 1987 - No. 18
Notes not available at time of printing.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" August 16, 1987 - No. 19
A great win against Ariah Park-Mirrool was just what the duck ordered in our run to the finals. Everyone had a hand in the win even the 'Sid' of 1st Grade 'Snowy' Taylor. Neil Bruce won the pewter and firmed in Roy's Best & Fairest stakes market. Mal 'Peewee' Williams and dazzling Darren Prest, refreshed after attending the church revival meeting on Thursday night, were inspired by the enlightening show and played beyond themselves. Humdinger Harro who according to his lovely wife Janet played his cards right on Friday night and was almost as damaging on Sunday. Splash (Collins) who abstained from consuming any alcohol on Friday must have felt a lot better than some others who allegedly were given an open licence to do as they liked.
The 2nds recorded their biggest win of the season with Steve 'Busta' Best bagging 8 goals from 108 attempts. Lennie Brown finished the day with two goals, one on his left foot, after playing half the game in the backline, but it was good ol' Shane 'Bat' Best the better half of the 'Worse' Bros, who won the pewter and Peter 'Partyboy' Royal won the Kentucky Fried Chicken award. 'Shanghia' Roy (Agresta) showed no ill effects after his big Bingo Night on Friday, which saw him crawl home early Saturday morning.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" August 23, 1987 - No. 20
Riverina Football Record No. 20 unavailable.

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