GRIFFITH CLUB NOTES 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" April 18, 1993 - No. 1 

Today sees the start of the 1993 season. First, welcome to our new coaches - Peter Dunkley (1sts), Mark O'Bryan (2nds) and Peter Lonergan (3rds). I'm sure our new president Terry (T.B.) Bennett and his committee would like to see the new coaching staff achieve their goals this year by finishing on top at the end of the season. Secondly, a warm welcome to our new players, and let's hope they can fill gaps and enable us to be successful on that 'one day in September'. Thirdly, to all players and clubs. The Swans hope for an injury-free season and the game to be played in a sporting manner. Also, best of luck to our netball sides and hope our ladies of the court are also successful during the season. Let's see the start of the season commence on a winning note to put us on the road to success.

 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" May 2, 1993 - No. 3
None printed in Riverina Football Record

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" May 9, 1993 - No. 4 
None printed in Riverina Football Record

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" May 16, 1993 - No. 5 

Talk about the great escape at Coolamon, Ronald Biggs has nothing on our blokes. Down by 25 points at half time and then come back kicking 8 goals in the third to set up the win. It must be something in the water they get at half time as every game we have played has been the same, very slow starters and then a completely different approach in the second half. To our credit we won without the help of Chris Conlan and Gary Argus in the second half and Jamie Bennett wasn't up to his usual self either with an ankle injury restricting him badly.

The best players were Stu Egan (B.O.G.) who goes by the nickname of Cadbury's (glass and a half and he's full), Greg 'Splash' Collins and the Brown Bros had excellent games as well as Gerard Toscan who again put in a good one.

The Second grade was another convincing win for us with David 'Lockett' Alpen bagging eight. Mark Cameron had a great game in the ruck, as well as around the ground and gave our smaller players a lot of touches. David Gee and Jason Wescott both had good games as did Chris Noack and Scott Collis.

The Under 18's had a good win and find themselves at the top of the ladder like the Reserves. Brent Harrison played well for his 5 goals. Graham Foley and Malcolm Burke provided a lot of drive around the ground as did Brent Hathaway. Matthew Kenny also played very well.

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the Leeton club for swapping games so that preparations for the State Championships can go ahead without interruptions.

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" May 29, 1993 - No. 6 

Welcome back to the home and away games. After a busy weekend for the Griffith Club where we hosted the N.S.W. State Championships, our RFL side certainly made the A.C.T. work hard for their win, probably more than they expected. We hope that the four sides enjoyed their stay in Griffith and that the facilities provided both at the ground and at the Ex-Servicemen's Club were up to standard. To Greg Pickering - thank you for your efforts in getting the re-constructions of the clubrooms finished in time.

Well, I don't want to really mention the Leeton game, but it sounds like the players wanted to thank Leeton for changing the game and letting them win. Better players in the Firsts were Brett Davis, Mark Brown, Greg Dreyer, Greg Collins and David Gee.

In the Reserves it was quite apparent that lack of numbers at training doesn't help win games. I cannot understand that when a side is undefeated it has trouble finding players without having to call up some Under 18's. To those guys thank you. Better players were Andrew McCashney, Scott Angrove, David Alpen and Dominic Norman.

The Under 18's also suffered a major bump on the road to the finals when they received a bit of a hiding from Leeton. Players who stood out were Matthew Kenny, Graham Foley, Peter Crowe, Glen Vaccari and Brent Harrison.

This week let's get back on the winning track!

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" June 6, 1993 - No. 7 

We have now got ourselves back on track after our setback at Leeton and came home with all the points against Narrandera.

The Under 18's came from behind to record a good win in a fairly close contest all day. Good players were Graham Foley, Norman Campbell, Malcolm Burke, Rodney Best and Matt Kenny. 

The 2nds also displayed plenty of character to come from behind in the last quarter to win against good opposition. Colin 'Plugger' Cassidy kicked 3 goals in his first game back after injury. After starting like a greyhound Paul Young played well in his first game back.

After settling down, the very accomplished and mature backline kept the pressure on all day. (If I stated anything else about the backline especially with reference to age Michael Thompson threatened libel actions against the author). The best man-on-ground was the smallest Scott Angrove who was in everything right from the first bounce. Others to play well were the Cameron boys and their off-sider Nick Creighton. Chris Noack and Jamie Reid also played well.

The main game saw a much committed and determined side hit the field than the side who played against Leeton in the last encounter. After being up by 77 points at three quarter time and some experimental moves Narrandera added some respectability to their score. Brett 'Swampy' Davis, with a best on ground performance supplied plenty of drive from the centre. Gary Argus was 'everywhere man'. Matt Coad enjoyed the wide-open spaces and supplied plenty of the ball to our forwards. Mark O'Connor enjoyed the space in the forward line and kicked 5. The incentive award winners were Jason Wescott, who had a blinder on the wing. The Brown Bros. who relished their new roles and 'Tosco', who very rarely plays badly. Special mention to Paul Rovere, playing his first senior game who didn't put a foot wrong when he came on. This week its Tuvey Park, let's inflict their first loss!

 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" June 13, 1993 - No. 8 

A big welcome to all those people who have travelled from near and far for the Swans Reunion. I'm confident that the weekend will be long remembered by those who have attended. The loss last week against Turvey was a big disappointment for the players and supporters alike. It was a magnificent game to see and I'm sure the Turvey supporters would agree that it was a credit to the 40 players. The game had every aspect you could wish to see; the only disappointment was that we didn't win, but it certainly proved that the Swans will be a real force in September. Best players were the whole side, but those named were David Dunkley, Brett Davis, Gary Argus, Gerard Toscan and Greg Dreyer. The incentive awards went to Jason Wescott $100, Owen Brown $50, Greg Collins $30 and Mark Brown $20.

The less said about the Seconds the better, other than this. Thank you to Malcolm Burke, Peter Vardanega and Alex Forster who backed up after playing in the Under 18's. To the players who sometimes train and sometimes play, how about getting behind Mark O'Bryan and showing him that he has a side to coach!! Best players were David Alpen, Brett McAlister, Steve Cunial, Peter Lonergan and Peter Vardanega.

The Under 18's lead the way last week with a great win in a good team effort. To come from behind as they did show a lot of character and with continued improvement these young men will certainly have a very successful year. Best players were Graham Foley, Steve Sargent, Glen Vaccari, Malcolm Burke and Brent Harrison. Today let's have three wins for all our past players and show them that the Swans are still winners. 

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" June 20, 1993 - No. 9 

A huge weekend for the Griffith Football Club, 450 for the dinner last Saturday night and a big roll up to game on Sunday, as the $4,100 gate testifies. There were many more games of football played last weekend than for the entire year judging by the condition of all those who attended the Saturday night dinner.

The only thing missing from a great weekend was beating the Wagga Tigers but if we can play consistent football all day, a win against the top sides is not far away. Best players in the First Grade were Greg Dreyer and Stu Egan as well as Owen Brown, Greg Collins and Chris Conlan. The incentive awards which were sponsored by Donald Cameron and Terry Bennett went to Greg Dreyer $100, Chris Conlan $50, Gerard Toscan $30 and Mark Brown $20.

The Reserves put up a better showing than the previous week but are still showing the results of lack of numbers at training. Best players were Jamie Reid with the mug, Colin Cassidy, Brett McAlister, Ron Irvin and Grant Cameron.

The Under 18's went down to the Wagga boys in a game that was close up to three quarter time. The best players were Wayne Donetto, Graham Foley, Glen Turner, Glen Collis and Peter Vardanega.

This week's it's the start of the second round, so let's reverse that loss against Ganmain-GGM and return to the winners list. 

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" June 26, 1993 - No. 9 
None printed in Riverina Football Record

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" July 4, 1993 - No. 10 

Firstly, apologies for the lack of notes last week. As we are again at home this week, let's hope we can keep up our performance on the Exies Oval as we did against Ganmain-GGM. The incentive award winners in that game which was sponsored by Quiprite P/L where Greg Collins $100, Gerard Toscan $50, Paul Young $30 and the $20 to Mark Brown. Other good players were David Dunkley, Chris Conlan and Owen Brown. Overall, it was a great team effort and goes to show the improvement that the side has made in the past weeks.

Against East Wagga last week, we suffered a lot of injuries in a danger game that we needed to win to cement our spot in the four. Unfortunately, our player depth is being continually eroded, so it's becoming critical for all players to hit the training track together and get the stragglers there as well.

In the Under 18's the boys hit the field with their new captain-coach in Adrian Pavese who played to make up the numbers. The boys came away with a very comfortable win with the best players being Peter Vardanega, Paul Rovere, Brent Harrison (8 goals), Malcolm Burke and Matt Kenny.

The Reserves battled again to field a side but managed to do so with injured players and some Under 18's stepping up. Unfortunately, the side lost by 3 points due to a disputed goal. The mug winner was Andrew McCashney, with other good players being David Alpen, Jamie Reid and the best boundary linesman Shane 'Bat' Best who kicked two magnificent magical goals.

After a rugged affair in the Firsts, where both sides suffered injuries, we came away with a solid win. Best players were Gary Argus (with a B.O.G.), Jason Wescott, David Dunkley, Brett Davis, Joe Agresta and Greg Collins. The incentive awards sponsored by Steve Best went to Jason Wescott $100, Joe Agresta $50, Ricky Burdett $30 and Mark Brown $20. Gus Argus won the mug and used it to great effect.

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "Riverina Football Record" July 11, 1993 - No. 11 

Well, we got out of goal last week with the narrow win over Coolamon. The form wasn't there, but the guts and determination showed through, especially from the blokes in the last-minute call-up. Scott Angrove was taken from the ground halfway through the 2nds to fill the 1st Grade numbers, and Graham Foley moved onto the bench after playing a full game in the U18s. Paul Rovere played his first full senior game, as did Mark Cameron, these two, along with others mentioned, were instrumental in the win. Gary Argus won the mug again and put it to good use. Jason Wescott picked up another $100 in the incentive award. Mark Cameron showed enough for $50, Rick Burdett finally got out of the back pocket to win $30 and ever reliable Mark Brown picked up $20 which was donated by the Griffith Past Players.

The 2nds also had a good win, which showed if the players put in during the week the rewards will be there at the finish. In the DeBortoli Wines incentive award, Jamie Reid got the $30, Scott Angrove did enough damage in the first half to win the $20 and Scott Collis $10 to reinvest. Like Gus, Dominic Norman knew how to use the mug after the match. Michael Reid gave Jamie something to aim at if he didn't want to hear how good his brother is when he won the incentive award in the Under 18's.

This week we welcome Leeton, which did the right thing and swapped games with us when we were preparing for the State Championships, in what is another danger match. Leeton showed us how to play last round, so we will have to lift today to keep the winning sequence going.

Don't forget on Friday supporter are welcome to watch training from 5pm and then the team selections announced. A meal is also available at a very reasonable cost. All the Leeton players and supporters are also welcome back at the club after today's game.