SWANS CLUB NOTES: Riverina Football Record April 8, 2000 - No 1. 

TODAY is the first day of our long season and we are looking forward to a much-improved season. There is a very positive feeling around the Club, and we believe that we will make the finals and will be very competitive.

Welcome to Jonathan O'Dwyer from Queanbeyan who has agreed to be our Senior coach for three years. Adrian Pavese has taken the step up and will take charge of the Reserves and Shane Ruyg will take the Under 18's under his wing. With good numbers at training since before Christmas its augers well for the Club and barring injuries there should be many of the Reserves putting pressure on those picked in the Seniors. With 60 players on the Seniors list, no-one's position will be assured - they'll have to earn it and that is a position we've not been in for many years.

We also welcome all those new players to the Club and those who've been missing for a year or two for various reasons and who have now come back to the fold. The new players are: - Trent Bradley, Adam Boag, Andrew Carmichael, Shawn Conlan, David Curran, Dale Dridan, Andrew Hill, Ryan Hill, Gavin Hill, Paul Howard, Jeff Inglis, Grant Lamont, Graeme Male, Jason Malone, Kaine Malone, Kane McGregor, Jeff Mickan, Andrew Noad, Trevor Pilon, Craig Seton and Jason Vant. Welcome back to Norm Campbell, Chris Conlan, Paul Crowe, Brendan Giason, Brent Harrison, Robert Kelly, Mark O'Connor and Nathan Creevy who steps up from the U16's.

Congratulations to Matt Waide and Jake Maguire who have made the RAMS top list and Michael Duncan, Chris Blanchard and Dom Giorgi who are on the supplementary list. It is hoped all these young fellows will be able to play first grade when not required for the RAMS.

Once again there are many companies and individuals who have agreed to be game sponsors for each week, and these will be mentioned individually each week. Today's game sponsor is Danny's Store, and we thank Rick and Ross for their support.

Also, this year we have several new companies on board who are presenting the weekly players awards and we thank the following companies/organisations for their support: Ex-Servicemen's Club, Snuggle-In, Donaldson's Mitre 10, McDonalds, Ron's Auto One, Fred & Rod McNabb, Caltex Distributors, Billabong Bottle Shop, Autobarn, Griffith Laundry Service, JD's Pizza and Video Ezy.

Today, prior to the Reserves Grade game and after the Under 18's game, we will be unfurling the 1999 Under 18's Premiership Flag and it's ironical that this year we appear to be struggling for numbers in this area, however, I'm sure they'll all get behind Shane and once again be a force in the RFL.

Today we take on the Leeton/Whitton Crows for our annual 'local derby' and this year there is an added incentive to win (as if we needed one). Country First Credit Union has donated a shield which Griffith and Leeton/Whitton will complete for twice each year. The winner will also take home $350, and the shield will be housed in the Country First Credit Union office in the town of the winning team. Many thanks to Dennis Conroy for his initiative and adding a little more 'spice' to the game.

Good luck to both teams and best wishes for the rest of the season.

Reverse Draw ticket purchasers please note that the date for this has had to be changed to Sunday, 7th May because of Group 20's revised Draw as 30th April is now a Waratah home game. Up The Swannies!

 Notes No. 2 >>>