(left) Swans’ pair Jordan Burley and Luke Peruzzi look to win possession and (right) Griffith’s Henry Delves and Angus McAlister attack the ball along with Wagga’s Dougal Howard at Narrandera on Sunday. Pictures: The Daily Advertiser
THE Griffith Swans were outgunned from start to finish in their Riverina Football League under 17s grand final on Sunday, losing to the Wagga Tigers by 121 points in a lopsided finale.
Despite entering the contest as outsiders, the Swans had shown plenty of form to beat Turvey Park, Mangoplah CUE and Leeton-Whitton to make the grand final.
But the gap in experience and size between the sides proved the difference as the Tigers never gave the red and white side a sniff at Narrandera Sportsground.
"The boys tried and tried and tried on the day, but they (Wagga) were a far better side in terms of depth and bigger bodies around the field, which counted against us," Griffith co-coach Matt Noonan said.
"We didn't have the guys to match their high-flying players up forward.
"Obviously they have some big players up front like Max King, who's about two metres tall.
"They were a bit angry and dirty at themselves at the end of the game, but when the margin was like that, you can prepare yourself for the disappointment for a couple of quarters."
Tigers jumped out to an early lead and had seven scoring shots to lead by a comfortable margin of 24 at the end of the first term.
Wagga then went on with the job and kicked an even 12 goals in each half to slam the door shut on Griffith's premiership dreams.
The Swans were never seriously in the hunt despite their best efforts.
Griffith did manage to kick 3.4 in the third quarter as they gained more possession, but it was hardly enough to put a dent in he already sizable margin their opponents enjoyed as they cruised through to the win.
Wagga's Dougal Howard kicked five goals in a big first-half but it was towering teammate King who stole the show and was adjudged best-on ground.
Despite the size of the loss, Noonan said every player had made giant strides forward in their development, and hoped they would return to the club to continue their growth.
"Every single one of them has improved in some facet of the game which is good to see, they're a terrific group of young men now," he said.
"So hopefully they can stick around and play a bit of senior footy from here on in and form the nucleus of a first grade premiership in three to four years time."
AT A GLANCE
Wagga Tigers 24.11 (155) d Griffith Swans 4.10 (34)
Goals: (Tigers) D Howard 6, J Maslin 3, M King 3, C Byrne 2, R McMullen 2, R Cahalan 2, F Inglis, B Farrell, J Gunning, C Lovell, S Armstrong, N Cooke; (Griffith) T Bruns, N Witherspoon, D Peruzzi, J Gordon.
Best: (Tigers) M King, D Howard, L McGregor,S Armstrong, T Delaney, C Lovell; (Griffith) A Blissett, B Tarr, F Josling, H Delves, J
Gordon, P McMahon.