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1978 SEASON
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GRIFFITH CLUB NOTES - by Swan

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" April 16, 1978 - No. 1

A new football year ... a new coach, Allan Way, from Corowa; a new president, Jack Luhrs, and several new players to replace the 13 seniors missing from our side of last season. To Allan Way and his wife Laurie we bid big welcome.

Allan will have as his assistant, our leader of the past two seasons in Bob Greenwood. Returning to our club is Glenn Luhrs after an absence of two seasons with East Sydney and then North Wagga. Pat O'Dwyer, Jeff Mitchell and Peter Talbot have joined us from Darwin, Paul Nilsen from Broken Hill, Dennis Schmetzer from Ariah Park-Mirrool and Bob Williams from Whitton.

Also wearing our jersey this year is Geoff Smith from Blighty and Len Threlfall, the latter coaching our Under 19's.

We thank Barellan and Ardlethan in supporting us in pre-season trial matches and we look forward to these being a regular basic.

Kevin Kirkpatrick will be coaching our Reserve grade again, showing what a great clubman he has been for the Griffith Club. Our football fortunes will rest mainly on the play of our younger players, and we look forward to developing some top liners from our local talent.

We also hope to gain a former top Riverina footballer to assist our younger side, giving us, we hope, a bit more sting to a side that has been badly depleted with transfers, retirements and other causes.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" April 23, 1978 - No. 2

We paid the penalty at Coolamon for our lack of continual ball winners against a side that did not impress us as much as we expected.

With Allan Way back in the side today and a couple of other improvements we are expecting to be much better today against the Magpies. Few players have given us better service than Ian Wade and he was our best at Coolamon in a side that can do much better.

Our Reserve grade and our Under 19's are our bright spots at the moment and one of the highlights in our big wins in both grades was the outstanding performance of young Martin "Ducky" O'Donnell with his 10 goals in the Under 19's.

Our new sponsors, Irrigana Motel Inns, will host our presentation of jerseys at the Irrigana on Friday night, 5th May. Dinner will cost $11 a double and we want all our girls and boys to with us that night.

Visitors to Griffith this season will have to provide their own refreshments at our after-game socials. We want them to join us but, unfortunately, we are unable to come up with the stuff that cheers.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" April 30, 1978 - No. 3

As well as the Magpies played last Sunday, and we wish them a good season as a new force in the league; we fumbled our chances to be a winner on the day. Without our coach, Allan Way, and without his assistant, Bob Greenwood, we made far too many basic errors to reverse the final result, yet we were able to outscore our rivals for three parts of the game after they bolted with the wind in the first session to a seven-goal lead. One player showed the way with Neil Thompson returning a fine effort of endeavour that won him the Mobil Petrol "man of the match" donated by Eric Zilliotto.

Our Darwin boys, Pat Dwyer and Jeff Mitchell also showed aggression with our other best players being Ian Wade and Glenn Harrison.
Ian Wade won the petrol "man of the match" at Coolamon the previous week, taking out the Golden Fleece award provided by Des and Enid Mathews.
Our Reserves had an easy win against the younger and inexperienced Magpies with a fine exhibition of full forward play from Darrell Collins, with ten goals before he was taken from the field with a head injury.
On jersey presentation by our new sponsor Irrigana Motor Inn is next Friday, 5th May, in the Irrigana. Tickets are $11 per double, and all supporters are invited.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" May 7, 1978 - No. 4

It's disappointing to lose, but it's obvious they (Leeton) will play a big part in the season's honours, but surely, we are not that bad to deserve a 10 goals thrashing. It's years since Griffith and Ganmain have both looked at the competition from the wrong end and it's clear we, in Griffith, have more problems than we care to own at this stage. Only the players can rectify our position - it's as simple as that.

Our Under 19's and our Reserves are both doing well. Great games from both sides, especially the Reserves with five players out of the team to record a workmanlike, skillful win.

Jeff Mitchell won the Shell petrol award made available by Fred McNabb for his spirited display in the Seniors. Displays like this and Roy Agresta for another as two of the smallest frames afield, could well set the examples for the kind of thing we need to remain as a striking force within the league.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" May 21, 1978 - No. 5

How sweet it is to get back into the winners list again. It was us or Whitton, and we were determined we would pick up the points. Griffith - Whitton games are always keenly fought, and it was a pity a former Whitton player had to involve himself in the rumpus that took place in the third quarter by stomping on one of the Griffith players. We thought he would have been keen to stop the fracas as it was the only blemish in a day of hard-fought football. Glenn Harrison took out our Total Petrol award as our best player in a side where we saw good performances from most of our players.

Our coaches wife Laurie has not been the best of recent times and we wish here a return to better health.

Coach Kevin Kirkpatrick will have plenty to say about the Swans win in Reserve grade. It was far from our best performance or was the unexpected improvement in the play of the Tigers too much of a shock for some of the Swans.

Our next big free night is on June 9. That's the night when the lucky ones get among the winners and everybody has a great night and at the same time, supports the club.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" May 28, 1978 - No. 6

We may have won by a bigger margin or had a day where our top footballers were outstanding but seldom have, we produced a team game to match the one we used at Ardlethan. To mention some of our players and omit the others would be an injustice to all team members as the total 20 hit the top as a team and only by such a combination were we able to look so impressive.
But what a pity we cannot get some of this team involvement to rub off in other directions.
Frankly we are at our wits end to solve the ever-continuing hassle of obtaining boundary umpires for our minor grades.
We believe we pay a fair price and besides ... what about "the life be in it" part.
It is simple enough; you just put one foot after the other and you make a profit on a much healthier body.
We all know other clubs have the same problem ... what is wrong with football sport today ... does everyone want to sit around on their buttocks and wait for their football to be served to them by others ... ?
You know it does not work that way and soon the "others" just crack up under the strain and hassle and there is no football at all.

Surely there is enough caring people to prevent this from ever happening ... we would like a couple of them to assist our present pair of Bill Power and Geoff Anderson; two boundary umpires we are proud to have at our club.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" June 11, 1978 - No. 7

After a poor start in the camp with three losses the Griffith Swans have had three victories in the last three games and Allan Way has the boys going well but today, we are opposed to one of the top teams and a hard game is expected but let us hope the Swans are victorious.

The Seconds and Thirds are yet to be defeated but we are expecting close and hard fought games in both these fixtures as Narrandera always are hard to defeat in these games.

The Ladies' Auxiliary are going great guns but a few more ladies to help in the kiosk would be most welcome.

The Social Club has been formed and are doing a good job and without these two hard working bodies a football club would find it difficult to function. Anyone interested in football and if you would like to give some time to the club, we still have vacancies on the committee for anyone who is interested in the welfare of the club and the Griffith Swans.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" June 18, 1978 - No. 8

A tragic day at the Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Oval last Sunday when one of our players, Ian Manning, suffered a heart attack at half time playing for the Griffith Swans Second XVIII. Everything possible was done to revive him in the dressing shed but he passed away on reaching the hospital. Rod, to you and your family on behalf of the Griffith football teams, committee and supporters goes our deepest sympathy.

Narrandera were the visitors last Sunday and after a good hard game on a heavy ground, Narrandera proved too strong for our Third grade.

Griffith produced some good wet weather football after half-time in the Seconds to continue their winning way.

The scoreboard showed level at three quarter time in the Firsts, but Narrandera got on top to win by 14 points at the bell.

Today on Gissing Oval a win is a must if we have any chance to keep a final four spot, so we are hoping for this to eventuate.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" June 25, 1978 - No. 9

Impossible conditions last Sunday did little for our cause, but we still had our chances and failed to capitalise at Gissing Oval.

Those missed kicks from close in front of goals robbed us of a win in a game where the winners did nothing to convince, they are the rightful competition leaders. None the less, they showed us how to win the wet ball and how to control proceedings from a winning centre line.

Our best was John "Ducky" O'Donnell, Jeff Mitchell, Roy 'Rooster' Agresta and Dennis Schmetzer.

Our Second XVIII went down in their first defeat and were clearly outplayed by a much better side. Glenn Luhrs showed good form in his return to football as did Frank Valeri, Kevin Kirkpatrick and Terry Bennett.

The big feature of the close encounter in the Under 19's was the excellent umpiring display from a 14-year-old David Hill.

The senior VFL guy should have taken a look. We lost the match by a couple of points but both sides played well, and our best came from Gerard Toscan, Chris Scobie and Maurie Wood.

Ariah Park today is possible our last chance to stay within sight of the leading four, so it is a tough game for us.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" July 2, 1978 - No. 10

What a great weekend for our full forwards in our three wins last Sunday against the Bombers.

Martin "Ducky" O'Donnell started the day with seven goals in the Under 19's mammoth victory, followed by a magnificent effort from Darrell Collins with his nine to top off our big success in the Reserve grade.

Pat O'Dwyer started a little shaky in the Senior match but he kicked them when they counted and in a tense game where the result was frequently in doubt, his four goals for the day cemented our win.

But our best players were elsewhere - Rod Collier was outstanding in the Under 19's against a side that deserve full merit for the manner in which they battled against big odds.

Glenn Luhrs had an equally fine performance in the Reserve grade and both Bob Greenwood and Allan Way spearheaded a gritty team effort from all our players in their exciting win in the Seniors.

On the social side, Pam McKenzie reminded us that her social committee expected bigger and better support for the functions they conduct, otherwise there will be no social committee. You cannot argue against that ... it is up to you.

Today against Coolamon we will be flat out for another win in our bid to make the finals and we know we have the team to trouble the best in the competition.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" July 9, 1978 - No. 11

Our excellent wet weather win over Coolamon last Sunday was marred by an unfortunate accident to our smart young rover Jeff Mitchell.
Quite clearly, we wanted it understood the Coolamon player had nothing to do with the incident, and we hope we will soon have Jeff back in our side to help us fight our way into the four. John "Ducky" O'Donnell was voted best afield with good performances from Jeff Mitchell, Bob Greenwood, Neil Thompson, Ian Wade and Roy Agresta.
Our Reserve Grade crushed the Grasshoppers in a one-sided affair where we had good players everywhere including Darryl Collis, Glenn Luhrs, John Seidel, Robin "Sparrow" Parisotto and Terry Bennett.
The Under 19's set up these excellent wet displays with their best wet game of the season when they completely over run a gritty Coolamon. Their win was dominated by Maurie Wood, Terry Hicken, Rob Vico and his brother Sam and David "Snow" Taylor.
Today's test against the Magpies will tell if we are good enough to make the grade ... we know it is between us and them.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" July 23, 1978 - No. 12

Alterations at three quarter time with Allan Way to centre half forward and Neil Thompson to full forward made all the difference to our performance against Grong Grong in the last round. With Phil McGarry thumping the ball out of the ruck and with Glenn "Bulla" Harrison kicking goals from all angles, plus a mighty big lift from Robbie Owen and John "Ducky" O'Donnell, we went to record one of our best fight backs with eight goals kicked after the Magpies appeared to have the game parceled up. Allan Way was clearly the best player afield, particularly for the first three quarters when he held us up after we appeared to be dropping.
Whilst we had reason to be happy with our Seniors, our Reserves Grade did nothing to excite us. Clearly it would number among our lack lustre games for the year and some of our boys are simply not doing enough to make us deserving competition leaders. Darrell Collins with his eight goals was the only reason for joy in a game where most of the work was left to the other fellow.
Our next 200 Club meeting is on Friday August 4, and we want your support. Also, Pam McKenzie and her Social Committee have a dinner dance coming up following on the Housie Night last Friday. We need the Social Committee, but they cannot function without your support - it is your responsibility to see you do not let them or the club down.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" July 30, 1978 - No. 13

If his display against the Whitton Tigers last Sunday is any guide, Neil Thompson with his nine goals is the sign our full forward problem has been solved. It is a case of not being able to see the forest because of the trees. We have had him in our side all the season - we figured he was a ruckman then we saw him as a centre half forward, but we really hit the jackpot when we tried him in front of goal.
With young Marty O'Donnell in the Under 19's and Darrell Collins in the Reserves Grade, both showing us how important the need for a reliable goal kicker, we hope Neil will continue to show us he is the player we have wanted all season.
Out game against the Tigers popped us into the four for the first time but the position is still up for grabs if we fail to keep on winning - but so do the other fellows if they want to push us out - all adding up to one of the best scrimmages ever for the finals.
And about those reports from last Sunday, we have compassion for both Tom (Doolan) and Jim (Geltch) as both reacted to impulse in the last minute of the game and their frustrations overcame their better judgements.
Today is a tough one for either of us. A win to us makes our position that much better but a loss on the other hand to Ardlethan and their chances of a place in the four grow that much tougher. A great ingredient for what should be a great match.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" August 6, 1978 - No. 14

Three wins away from home is a good day's football for any club and we scored that way last Sunday at Ardlethan. Our Under 19's and our Reserves picked themselves up from spirited opposition to win at the right time in the game. The absence of coach Kevin Kirkpatrick is showing its obvious effect in our Reserve grade, but we hope Kirky will be back from his illness to lead us in today's important match with Leeton. Our Seniors ran to their fifth successive win in a game where the home team gave us a great fight in an excellent game.

Neil Thompson, with his six goals, again gave us that bite up front, but our backline attracted our better players with fine performances by Ian Wade and Sid Robins. While our experience showed out through Bob McKenzie and Bob Greenwood, two of our younger stars were Robbie Owen and Jeff Mitchell.

We have been a month without football on our own ground, and we hope to celebrate our return in today's big match with the Redlegs. Leeton gave us a drubbing the first-time round, and we have good memories. We have struggled to get into the four and we do not intend to move over for any opposition. Leeton and Griffith matches are always top draw and today will be no exception.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" August 13, 1978 - No. 15

From looking a winner at half-time in our big match with Leeton last Sunday, we fell into disarray in the final two terms to be badly beaten on the day. The loss did nothing for our ego, and it clearly shows we have to do more around the ground if we are to be a premiership threat. Yet examination tells us we failed because we could not contain one man in the main, Redlegs centre Barry Lang. Our own half forward line in the second half lacked penetration and why we returned the ball to Leeton after winning possession defies explanation.

On the day where we had many fine contributors, none stood out more beacon-like than our two defenders, Ian Wade and Sid Robins. John "Ducky" O'Donnell gave us a big effort and Graham Manning has seldom given us better service than he showed from his centre wing position. Shane Best won the Shell Petrol award.

The Redlegs also dented our ego in the Reserve grade where their superior marking power proved more productive than our mobility and pace. We came from well down to just fail by two points but in a top-class competition there is not second prize. But what a delight to watch our young Under 19's - their form was their best for the season. It would be unfair to nominate one player at the expense of others and if our boys can hold this form, a premiership in this grade is well within our scope. Today we face Ganmain. It is years since the Maroons have been limping so badly at the end of the competition, but we read where they have been showing more spirit, and we dare not take them too lightly.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" August 20, 1978 - No. 16

The scoreboard looked good against Ganmain last Sunday, but we had little to enthuse about with our own play. We looked sluggish, the day gave us miserable weather, and the match was a dull drab affair. However, for the good of football, Ganmain played with a lot of spirit and no opposition should under rate them in the remaining games.
Glenn "Bulla" Harrison was clearly our best player with his strong marking, one of the games joys. However, we continue to make Neil Thompson earn his goal tally the hard way. Neil has given us 26 goals in four games, and we should be using him more fluently.
Maybe it is no reason for too much praise with Ganmain fielding possibly their weakest Reserve Grade side in years, but our Seconds raced on top class stuff in their mammoth win. Darryl Collis showed a welcome return to the side after missing a couple of matches while we lost our other Darrell (Collins) before half time with an injury after he looked set to return us another big pile to consolidate his placing as leading goal kicker. We know we face one of our biggest tests today on league headquarters but while we have a healthy respect for our opponents, we also know we have the players material to make it a real contest.
We also take great joy in revealing our Club raised $635.00 to the Johnny Panazollo appeal. We believe it is the biggest single amount provided by a sports club including any Rugby League Club and it shows how Australian football people feel for the unfortunate Johnny.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" August 27, 1978 - No. 17

In one of the Swans' best performances for the season, it was disappointing to see the Advertiser report on the game go to great lengths to point out how Narrandera lost the match. For Dan Clarke's benefit, there were two teams playing and Griffith WON ... so much for unbiased reporting. Despite what you may have read in the papers, it was a gritty effort for us to run up a win at Narrandera.

We are aware we still have weaknesses in the side but to overcome these and still win convincingly shows our side is far from out of the finals. Too many of our players put in top games to single out a praiseworthy few and a repeat performance in the games to come will test us in our ability to be a force in the finals.

Our Reserve grade handed out a thrashing in what was their best display for the entire football year. However, we are aware there are better sides in the competition than Narrandera, and we know if we are to be premier, we will have to beat premier teams.

Our young Thirds just missed out in making our day a clean sweep. A great match this one between two teams with little between them in ability. Narrandera ended up with the prize by a two-point margin ... we only hope we can reverse the result the next time round.

Today is of more importance at the moment. The Bulldogs had their day at Gissing Oval the first time we met and perhaps it could be our turn.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" September 3, 1978 - No. 18

To win is pleasant but to win convincingly against the competition leader is truly exhilarating.

We showed in our form against the Bulldogs we have every reason to look to the finals series with every confidence knowing we have qualified from the school of hard knocks to earn our place.

Again, too many of our players put in all together to single out a favoured few and as our efforts are based on team play, we refuse to underrate the efforts of those who would be left out should we start naming the best players.

Our Reserve grade played likewise to clearly show they have every right to a premiership claim. However, our young Thirds side has a few more hours on the test bench before we are prepared to single them out as a great chance.

We know we can do a lot better than we showed against the Bulldogs and in simple terms ... we must.

To all our supporters, we invite you back to our oval after today's game against the Bombers, we will conduct our Best and Fairest counting in all our three grades.

We have arranged a social in our club rooms, and we want all players, members and their friends to come along and join in. Don't worry about something to eat and drink as we will have that all arranged for you so you can go straight to the club rooms after today's game.

To our friendly rivals today we wish a happy end to the series of home and away matches and we trust our game will be played in great spirit that our two clubs have shared for many years.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'Wester" September 10, 1978 - No. 19

Congratulations Ariah Park ... you showed us too much endeavour and spirit to allow us a chance to beat you on your own ground.

You made us look ineffective while your own game was top class ... how come you are so far down the ladder?

However, defeat or victory only has a one-week value ... with one exception we include a premiership win or lose another matter.

We know we fumbled our way into defeat last Sunday but today against the Redlegs on a ground where we have more room, we expect to be far more comfortable. Our Reserve grade had a convincing win without Darrell Collins, Terry Bennett and Steve Best.

We expect to have these players in the second semi-final and at full strength, we also expect to do well in the run to the flag.

What a remarkable effort put up by the young Under 19's - they set out to propel Marty O'Donnell to the top of the goal kicking, and he finished with 18 for the match.

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'Wester" September 17, 1978 - No. 20

What a pathetic waste of a football season with us after half time collapse by our Seniors in last Sunday's semi against Leeton.

We simple fail to understand nor accept Senior players who cannot discipline their action on the field of play to the point their team mates then have to carry the penalty for their errors.

A number of our contract players last Sunday failed miserably when most needed and with these people sopping up the bulk of the supporters' money that is raised to run a football club, we regard their actions as deplorable.

Our capitulation to Leeton after half time can only be blamed on these players and a lot of Griffith people are unhappy about this aspect.

Today we expect a different result from the Reserve grade. Coach Kevin Kirkpatrick has them well tuned and disciplined and all are in the side because they want to do their best for the club. We believe the better team should be the rightful winner and we have shown ourselves to be amongst the best all season. (Scribe - Griffith Club president, Jack Luhrs)

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'Wester" October 1, 1978 - No. 22

Great football weather on Sunday at Narrandera where the preliminary final was conducted and a good win to Leeton in the Firsts.

The umpiring in the Thirds left a lot to be desired and some of our younger players had difficulty in interpreting the umpire's decisions.

Best I thought was Maurie Wood, Gerard Toscan, Joe Ammendolia, the Vico brothers and young Chris Scobie, until injured.

Vice-president Trevor Hyde and the committee would like to thank all players and supporters for their help and the Ladies' Committee also would like to thank everyone who was kind enough to assist on the day.

Players and supporters of this code will be pleased to hear that our President Jack Luhrs is out of hospital, and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

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