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1979 SEASON
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GRIFFITH NOTES: "The Sou'Wester" April 29, 1979 - No. 3

By Swan: Closing the breaks in the closing minutes helped Turvey Park beat us in the finish yet on the day we felt we had the better of the play.
However, that is football and with two losses we find ourselves with our backs to the wall and another tough nut today in Narrandera.
We expect to do much better today as our side is now more settled and we always find that something extra against our old rivals.
Our best players last Sunday would include a good effort from Peter Dwyer, and the Best twins, Shane and Stephen.
However, our best was left to our veteran Sid Robins. What a perfect example is Sid as far as a player and a clubman ... we doubt if there is a better in the league over the years.
Our Reserves Grade found their football legs in the third quarter and clinched what has been a hard-fought contest.
Stephen Brand was at his best, followed closely by George Duncan, Norm Alexander and David Graham.
Our young Under 19's remain as yet unsettled but with Len Threlfall and Bob McKenzie to sort things out, we expect to see some top results coming our way soon.
We are sorry to see the end of our very good friends from Whitton and their withdrawal from the South West League
It is clear the game and some clubs are under a lot of pressure today and there will be some casualties.

It is sad it had to be Whitton.

Notes No. 4 >>>

GRIFFITH MAY SURPRISE NARRANDERA
By Jack Luhrs

Forceful Griffith centreman Glenn Harrison will be out of football action for six weeks, and will not be available on Sunday against Narrandera on the Ex-Servicemen's Oval
Harrison has a fractured wrist and the injury was revealed after the game last Sunday when Griffith were defeated by Turvey Park at Wagga.
He was replaced in the last quarter and a later X-ray revealed the break.
Harrison will miss at least three South West competition rounds with general byes for inter-league fixtures, and the club bye caused by the withdrawal of Whitton filling in much of the injury time.
The centre post could go to Shane Best who was used in that position against Turvey Park when Harrison was injured.
Following their crushing win over Ardlethan last Sunday, Narrandera have taken the lead on the South West table and are rated by many as the best premiership bet.
And the friendship existing between rival coaches Peter Matuska and Warren Finger will be left in the dressing rooms for the duration of the game.
Matuska is aware his Swans are losing contact with the leading group, and another loss on Sunday makes his goal of a place in the finals that much harder.
Finger recommended Matuska for the Griffith coaching position, after being members of the same Eastern District Football League club in Melbourne.
And Warren Finger has his Imperials heading for a game on grand final day.
It would be irony for Finger if Matuska was to beat him for the premiership he considers is his.
The Swans looked goods despite defeat last Sunday.
They paid for lost concentration when the match was within their keeping to let expensive defence errors cost them their first win of the season.
The gap left by Glenn Harrison will be easier with both Pat Dwyer and Peter Carey returning to consideration for selection.
Dwyer paid a penalty for missing training to be dropped from the match at Wagga, but moved well in Wednesday's session.
Another good run tonight may see him back in the side where his grit and skill has a real value to the side.
Carey missed through illness, but likewise trained strongly on Wednesday.
He too is a valuable player and could be used on the interchange.
Griffith selectors were pleased to see Ian Wade suffer little from his enforced absence after a shoulder injury.
The key defence role of centre half back looks to be his again after a good show at Wagga.
Curbing Jeff Hemphill at full forward will be one of the goals set by the Swans.
Hemphill leads the goal kicking with 22 from two matches.
Matching Narrandera in the goal to goal line is the key to the game.
The Imperials have swamped both Ganmain and Ardlethan in the first two rounds and it is up to Griffith on their own home ground to show they will not be the visitors third victim.
Griffith's home ground sparkle was considerably dulled a fortnight ago by Ariah Park.
It burned for one quarter only when they danced to a dazzling five goal lead.
However, they showed the class is there and with the right effort from all players the Swans could humble the match favourites.

(The Area News - Friday April 27, 1979)