GRIFFITH CLUB NOTES - by Swan 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" April 19, 1981 - No. 1 

By Swan: Kevin Kirkpatrick coaching the new look 1st 18 Griffith side is looking forward to a much-improved season in 1981 with a season's experience to the young players and the added strength of Ian Geddes, Grant Luhrs, Bruce Thomson, Phil McGarry and Glen Harrison things look good for the Swans this season.

Darryl Collis had thoughts of retiring this season after notching his 200th 1st grade games last season but was persuaded to put the boots back on again and coach the 2nd 18 well done Darryl.

Glen Harrison back playing with the 1st 18 will coach the Under 19 side. Good luck to the three coaches & their teams.

Welcome to all visitors to Griffith for the Vintage Festival.

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" April 26, 1981 - No. 2
What a great start for the Swanies - three wins in their opening competition round.  This is a definite lift for any side, and the Griffith sides really needed this start. 

Glenn Harrison's Under 19's started the run with a great win over the young Coolamon side. Out of a good team effort Russell Hicken, Alan Frank and John Bordignon were better players.
Darryl Collis kept the ball rolling with his Reserve Grade for another well earned win and led his team as one of the better players along with Ian Minchin, David Taylor, Trevor Brand and Dennis Schmetzer.
In the Senior Grade, Kevin Kirkpatrick and his boys had to live up to this good start and battled hard to hold out a last minute effort from Coolamon to win by a mere five points. Best players in this game were Gerry Toscan, Bruce Thomson, Ian Geddes, Phil McGarry and Grant Luhrs - well done boys.
Congratulations to the young people who decorated the Swans' float for The Vintage Festival Parade - a great job. 
Congratulations to Glenn and Trish Harrison on the birth of their daughter on Easter Sunday.   
 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" May 3, 1981 - No. 3

None issued in The Sou'wester No. 3  
 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" May 16, 1981 - No. 4

Sorry for no notes in Sou'wester last week - the postman let us down. Congratulations to Wendy & Darryl Collis on the birth of a baby girl.

The Swans kept on their winning way with fine wins in all three grades over Leeton. Great games by all players - possibly a mention for Phil McGarry, really good rucking and nine goals for the day. Darrell Collins at full forward had a ball kicking 12 goals.
Congratulations to the three boys picked in the South West side last Sunday - Ian Geddes, Phil McGarry and Grant Luhrs - and what a great game Grant must have had winning both awards for the day - the umpires' award and the Carlton United award - great work, Grant.
Welcome to Griffith, Cootamundra, in your first visit to Swans' country. We wish you luck in the South West and a good injury free game today. 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" May 24, 1981 - No. 5

Whoops! We nearly blew it, didn't we? Cootamundra really pushed the Swans on Saturday and made them work hard for their win. Unfortunately, the loss of Peter McGrath in the first few minutes of the game was a blow. Peter has a broken bone in his leg and a bone in his cheek broken so he will be out for some weeks.
I am sure all supporters wish "Hoot" a speedy recovery.  Our players struggled hard to keep our winning record intact, best players being Darrell Collins, Grant Luhrs, Rob Owen and Roy Agresta.
Darryl Collis kicked 12 goals to lead his Second XVIII to a great win by 106 points. Along with Darryl as best players were Garry Owen, Dennis Schmetzer and the welcome return of Drew Luhrs.
Unfortunately Cootamundra could not field an Under 19 team so the Swannies were without a run.
Kel and Max Turner are still on the sidelines through injury - hope it won't be long before these two players are in the side again.
 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" May 31, 1981 - No. 6

Once more our supersonic Swans had the last laugh on the knockers who predicted our downfall against Ardlethan.
Few teams go through a season undefeated, and we had hoped to win four of the first six. We now have five wins and hope for a sixth today.
Our boys are playing as a team and each week it is difficult to pick the best players.
The votes this game went to Phil McGarry, Bruce Thomson, Darrell Collins and Grant Luhrs.
Well done Gerry Toscan who went onto the ground injured and played a good game right to the end.
Stephen Brand and Garry Owen both taken off with injuries - best wishes fellows for a quick recovery. 
The Second 18 went on their winning way with a good win over Ardlethan.
The Under 19's, after keeping within one straight kick of Ardlethan until midway through the last quarter, let the game slip away to register their first loss - so back to the winner's circle this week boys.  
 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" June 7, 1981 - No. 7

As usual Ganmain put us to the test, and it was great to see our boys come back so well when the pressure was on.
Ganmain's goal kicking left little to be desired - unlike the Swans who tallied up a few too many points.
What a great game by one of our younger and less experienced players in "Snow" Taylor - he never stopped trying - if not our best, certainly came close to it. Another first class game by Phil McGarry and Roy Agresta.
The Second XVIII had their first loss with too many players unable to handle the wet conditions - better luck next week boys.
A great win for the Under 19's - with continued efforts like this, great days are ahead.
A double congratulations to Ian and Karen Minchin on the birth of twins - a boy and a girl.

 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" June 14, 1981 - No. 8
None issued in The So'wester No. 8

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" June 21, 1981 - No. 9
What a great effort by a very depleted Griffith side to come within one kick of beating the South West top side in the mud at Maher Oval last Sunday. With Darrell Collins and Ian Geddes joining the ranks of the walking wounded and John Seidel, Peter McGrath, Kel Turner and Steve Brand still on the boundary, the Swans are still putting together a good side.
It was great to see the best play go to Roy Agresta followed by Marty O'Donnell and Robbie Owen.
Both Second XVII and Under 19's were unable to handle the conditions and were beaten by the stronger Turvey Park sides.
A special vote of thanks to the Turvey Park Ladies' Auxiliary who supplied hot soup for the Swans' Under 19's after the game - what a thoughtful gesture and most appreciated by the Griffith camp.
Today we line up to a strong Ariah Park team.  This will be a great game, and all supporters are assured of a great day's football.
 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" June 28, 1981 - No.10

Disaster struck again - not in the loss of a game but more injuries. It looks as though we have lost Drew Luhrs for the remainder of the season, also Paul Baldi and Tony Dillon with, we hope, lesser injuries. Joe Catanzariti is out of the Seconds and so it goes on.
On a brighter note - it is great to see the return of so many supporters - familiar and new faces Les and Rosemary Borland with our major sponsors, Andy and Maureen Baldi. Special thanks again to Baldi and Fletcher and to the many sponsors whose names you will see on the boys' tracksuit each - you are what keeps the club going.
Great to see Dorothy and Bob Carroll (it's too cold for skiing). Watch for your name next week. 
 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" July 5, 1981 - No. 11

Congratulations to Glenn Harrison and his Under 19's who really kept the flag flying for the Swans on Sunday.
It was a great team effort with maybe extra effort from Alan Frank, Ken Skates, Drew Hicks and Paul Baker.
Not so good was the one point loss by the Second 18, after having a good lead at three quarter time. Better players were Glen Luhrs, Kel Turner, Randall Strongman and Darryl Collis.
The gloom continued on into the First 18, who never looked like beating the Coolamon Greens and to top it all, Glen Hall broke a bone in his little finger - welcome to the casualty ward, "Hally".
Better players for the First 18 were Ian Geddes, Bruce Thomson, Grant Luhrs, Darrell Collins, Robbie Owen and Marty O'Donnell.
Our Personality for the Week is your friend and mine with the big spoon, Harry Kurtzman, stirring our players along, win or lose, Harry is with us all the way.

 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" July 19, 1981 - No. 12

It's great to be back in the winner's circle again - two winning sides against Grong Grong-Matong gave the Swans a great lift. With the return of three of our injured senior players in Kel Turner, John Seidel and Phil McGarry - strength was added to the Seconds and they started the day with a big win, with good all-round effort better players were Alan Hicken, Randall Strongman, "Snow" Taylor and Darryl Collis.
The First XVIII combined well and proved too strong for their Magpie opponents to add a much needed four points to the board, better players being Darrell Collins, Phil McGarry, Grant Luhrs, Roy Agresta and Bruce Thomson.
Last Sunday's bye gave the Swans an opportunity to have a family day and social which was enjoyed by those who braved the weather and came along, many thanks to those players and supporters. 
 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" July 26, 1981 - No. 13

The Swans met a more determined Leeton line-up last Sunday than in the first round and had to pull out all stops to be in front on the final siren. What a great game from Bruce Thomson, with strong marks and six goals. He was well supported by Grant Luhrs and Ian Geddes with great work coming from the younger brigade of Max Turner, Marty O'Donnell and Neil Sexton.
The Under 19's and Second XV111 showed how to fight back when, from a good start, both grades fell behind but not to be denied, pleased their supporters with a great return to form and four points on the board.
Best players: Second XV111: Randall Strongman, Garry Baldwin and Darryl Collis.
The Under 19's better players were T Winder, Andrew Smith, Tony Hicks and John Garzoli. 
 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" August 2, 1981 - No. 14
A win today is what the Swans need to really boost their morale
After the long trip and in poor conditions, the Griffith side kept their final hopes high with a good win over Cootamundra.
Better players were Bruce Thomson, Garry Owen, Gerard Toscan and Marty O'Donnell.
Darryl Collis once again showed the way in another good win for the Second XV111 with good support from Ian Minchin, Stephen Best, Randall Strongman and Roy Agresta. 
The Under 19's gripped their final four position a little tighter with another win on Sunday.
Good games came from Mark Whalan, Mark Tyndall, Drew Hicks and Robert Andreatta.
Congratulations to Trevor and Karen Reed on the birth of their daughter last week.
Congratulations also to John Newton (APM) - a wonderful effort - 100 goals and the season is not over yet.
Special thanks to Pat Cooper, the secretary of Cootamundra, for the quick service in finding and returning a key lost by one of our players - much appreciated.

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" August 9, 1981 - No. 15
None issued in The So'wester No. 15​

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" August 16, 1981 - No. 16
Another great performance from the Swans. It was a fantastic effort beating Ganmain in all three grades. The Firsts' win was a result of an extremely good team effort. It appeared that all players put in 100 per cent effort which is required when playing top sides in the finals.
The Reserves' win was one of their best for the season. They had a lot riding on that game and to have lost it would have meant them having very little hope of reaching the finals. Congratulations fellas, especially to Darryl Collis who has done a lot this year for the Second XVIII.
The Under 19's had an extremely hard fought win against the opposing Ganmain side This puts us in good stead for the match against Narrandera today - best of luck fellas.
Bad news for the Swans and for Robbie Owen. "Pretty Boy" Owen damaged the medial ligaments in his knee and will be out for the remainder of the season. Best of luck in your recovery "Pretty Boy" - you will be sadly missed for the rest of the season.
Anyway, this week the Swans are away to Narrandera. This will be a good chance to practice our winning habits on the Sportsground. After all, practice makes perfect!   
 

GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'Wester" August 23, 1981 - No. 17

The Swans experienced a day of mixed fortunes last Sunday against the Narrandera Imperials.
The day started badly for the Swans when our Under 19 combination failed to capitalise on their good first half and went down to a strong finishing Narrandera side by 48 points. Best players for the Swans were Mark Tyndall and "Roller " Skates.
The Second XVIII also went down fighting against a very determined Narrandera side. It was great to see "Hoot" McGrath making a comeback to football through the Second XVIII. It just goes to show what a bit of G. and D. can do - well done "Hoot".
Best players for the Swans were "Randy" Strongman and Darryl Collis.
The tables were turned in the First Grade game for the Swans when a determined Griffith outfit outclassed the Imperials to register a great win. This must surely rate as the Swans' best game for the season and it shows that we certainly mean business. Every player gave his all which is required when playing top teams in the finals.
The best players for the Swans included Darrell "Split Pin" Collins, Roy Agresta, "Billy" Harrison, Marty O'Donnell and indeed every player wearing the red and white guernsey who took the field - well done fellas.
This week the Swans are at home to the Turvey Park combination. In all grades, a win is essential, and I am sure every player making up the three grades for the Swans will ensure three good wins on Sunday. UP THE SWANS! 

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'Wester" August 30, 1981 - No. 18
The Swans are really running hot after last week's performance against the Turvey Park "Bulldogs" they must be warming up for a really big final series. The match against Ariah Park-Mirrool this week should be a real cracker. A win to go into the finals would be a huge morale booster. For the second week in a row the Swans had numerous best players. However, the choice of these were Bruce "Bruiser" Thomson, Robert Prest, Phil McGarry, Gerard Toscan and Marty O'Donnell.
The sad new for the Swans on Sunday was the loss of the reserves. This now puts us out of contention for the final series. What was even more disheartening was the fact that we had Turvey Park o the rails for three quarters of the match, but they fought back well to register a good win. Best players for the Second 18 were Randall Strongman, Garry Owen and Phil Purtill.
Lets cap off the season with a good win against the Second's minor premiers Ariah Park. Best of luck fellas.
The Under 19's suffered their worst defeat of the season when they went down to an extremely tall and talented Turvey Park combination. I'm sure the boys will learn a lot from the game and will eagerly await the next match against them in the grand final. Best players for the Swans were Ken "Roller" Skates, Tim "Peter Moore" Johanson and Paul Baker.
This week is a do-or-die effort fellas. Let's get a win for Billy. We owe it to him. 

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GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'wester" September 6, 1981 - No. 19
None issued in The So'wester No. 19

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