Griffith Swans have signalled their intentions for the 2018 Riverina Football League season after a 20-point win over Collingullie Glenfield Park at Exies Oval on Saturday afternoon.
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Three goals each to Jordan Iudica and Sam Daniel has helped their side become the only undefeated team in the competition with the 13.6 (84) to 9.10 (64) win.
The Swans were able to make a strong start taking the lead in the opening few minutes of the game and held it for the rest of the afternoon.
A five-goal opening term set the tone for the afternoon and even as the Demons tried to fight their way back into the game in the final 10 minutes, the Swans were able to maintain their composure.
Swans coach Will Griggs was elated with his side's performance as they claimed their biggest scalp of the season.
“We knew this was going to be our biggest test for the year they are a great team and were coming off a big win against Coolamon,” he said.
“We knew it would be a tough battle, but to our credit, we stuck it out. Made a few clumsy errors in the last quarter, just a few nerves I think but credit to Gullie they kept coming as we knew they would.”
Griggs praised the performance of a few of the senior players keeping the key figures of the Gullie side quiet.
“I thought Guy Orton did a fantastic job on Gestier (Luke), Tosco (James Toscan) on Geppert (Marc) and I thought Heater (Heath Northey) was really good on Jayden Klemke,” he said.
“Personally I thought he got on top, to be honest. I know they had to move him forward in the end, and he proved pretty dangerous up there, but I thought especially in the second half Heater really got on top.”
The strength of the defensive line a whole was a key factor in the Swans success according to Griggs.
“I thought our run out of the backline was great,” he said.
“We have tried to maintain that backline group for two or three years now with a few changes this year, but I think you can tell we are in sync.”
The only concern is an injury to Theo Valeri which he sustained late in the third quarter.
“I think his (Theo's) shoulder popped out,” he said.
“He reckons its alright, but we wait and see. We are lucky to get a few boys back next week so we won't be rushing him back in.”