THEY let a big opportunity slip, but Griffith coach Greg Dreyer said the team still took plenty out of last week's narrow loss to Coolamon once the disappointment of their late fadeout subsided.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Swans led by a couple of goals heading into time on in the final quarter, but Coolamon piled on four unanswered goals to prevail by 11 points and improve to 5-1.
Griffith also led Wagga Tigers by three points in round four before going down by 22 points, and trailed Collingullie-Glenfield Park by 15 at the final change in a 33-point loss in the opening round.
Dreyer believes their inability to put icing on games down the stretch comes down to inexperience and unfamiliarity with a new group, but said they generated belief from pressing the Hoppers to the limit on their turf.
The task doesn't get any easier against when they host Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong on Sunday.
"We were disappointed with our last five minutes, we had a chance to close it out. It's a bit of inexperience I guess, it might be an excuse," he said.
"With what's been going on over the course of the season and our progress, that was a big leap forward for confidence.
"Coolamon looked like they were really going to get on top of us a couple of times and we managed to get back in front. Our guys really had a go.
IN OTHER NEWS
"Tosco (forward James Toscan) got injured with about eight minutes to go which left a big hole, and under pressure you go back to bad habits. We probably kicked to the wrong spots, Coolamon defended well and rebounded even better."
Dreyer expects the in-form Lions to present just as difficult a challenge as unbeaten Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes this weekend.
The Swans are searching for just their second win of the Riverina League season.
"After this week we'll have played two top three sides in a row, so let's see where we sit and how we go against that calibre of team," Dreyer said.
"There's no pressure on us, we just have to work out how we're improving and assess how we go.
"We're a new team they're getting some combos going now and getting used to each other.
"We're settling on our core group and once you do that the better you're going to get.
"It's about getting confidence and trusting each other I suppose.
"This week will be as big a test as Mango I reckon. They're a pretty big team as well, it's going to be a huge challenge.
"We'll take it on, don't worry about the result and see how we cope under pressure."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
