The Swans got better as the game went on and proved too strong for the Hoppers on their home deck, running out winners 12.15 (87) to 9.9 (63) at Kindra Park.

Little separated the two teams early and Coolamon led for the majority of the first half before two late goals gave Griffith a two-point lead at the main break.

The Swans then broke the game open and booted five unanswered goals either side of three-quarter-time to establish a match-winning lead.

Will Griggs, Mick Duncan, Ben King and Jordan Iudica all ran amok through the middle of the ground as the Swans ran out resounding winners.

After an opening round loss at home to Leeton-Whitton, Griffith coach Adrian Pavese was thrilled to come away with the four points from Coolamon.

“Absolutely, it’s always tough over here,” Pavese said.

“It was a good grinding win, too, I was really pleased just that we weren’t at our best early, and probably weren’t at our best at the end, but we still found a way to find avenues to goal.

“It was good.”

Coolamon started the game strongly and Pavese said the most pleasing aspect of his team’s performance was the way they dug in.

“The fight,” he said.

“Coolamon started really well, as they always do here, but we kept ourselves in the contest and they never got more than two goals in a row, so that was a pleasing part.”

Griffith full-forward Brent Arho finished with four goals but had his chances to have an even bigger day, booting five behinds.

Joe Redfern was winning the battle against Arho but was then swung forward late in the second quarter as the Hoppers searched for avenues to goal.

Roy Kantilla finished with five goals for Coolamon and took his chances when they presented. Mitch McKelvie never gave up for the Hoppers and was the Hoppers best, also booting three goals.

For Griffith, their ball movement was impressive. It often started from half-back and they went back through the middle of the ground with ease often.

Pavese expects it only to get better.

“It’s just those little errors that let us down a little bit. But again, a lot of it is just us finding our niche, and finding how each other plays,” Pavese said.

Griffith will now set themselves up to consolidate their position on the ladder with games against Narrandera and Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in the next fortnight.

Coolamon have the bye next week but then face an important showdown with Collingullie-Glenfield Park at Kindra Park, followed by Wagga Tigers the week after.