The Griffith Swans were able to pick up the points in a meaningful game despite a scrappy third quarter as they picked up a 12-point win over Turvey Park at Exies Oval.
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In Michael Duncan's 300th game the Swans took out the four points with a 9.3 (57) to 5.15 (45) despite the Bulldogs closing to within four points heading into the final term.
Goals to Jacob Conlan and Heath Northey got the Swans off to a quick start to lead by 11 points heading into the first break.
Ben Lewington got the Bulldogs first goal of the day 13 minutes into the second quarter before the Swans kicked three quick goals before the main break with Tom Valeri, Will Griggs and Jordan Iudica to give the Swans a 20-point lead.
The Swans made a flying start to the third quarter with Conlan kicking his second goal in the opening minute, but Turvey Park found the ascendancy from that point onwards with Bradley Ashcroft kicking two goals to help his side win the quarter and close the gap to four points.
Iudica kicked the first goal of the quarter before the game took a spiteful turn with Luke Cuthbert given a yellow card after what Swans coach Will Griggs described as a cheap shot on Theo Valeri.
The Swans went up a gear after the incident, and two goals to Conlan helped the Swans regain the momentum to take out the 12-point win.
Griggs nows his side have plenty to work on after the scrappy performance.
"There was a lot of hype during the week with the big milestone for Mick, and I think the boys were a bit eager at the start of the game and got into our groove in the second," he said.
"The third quarters at the moment we are struggling to respond after the break. Sometimes you just have to win ugly."
Griggs was happy to see his side respond after a 'spray' during the three-quarter break.
"I don't normally do it that much it was good to see that they can take it," he said.
"I think when one of your players (Valeri) gets cheap-shotted like that it added a bit more juice to the fire. Theo is in good spirits now, but it was a bit upsetting at the time."
In his 300th game, Duncan was among the best for the Swans while James Toscan had a strong day at fullback. The Swans will now prepare to take on Narrandera.