GANMAIN-Grong Grong-Matong coach Luke Sicker is happy with the Lions’ preparation a month out from the start of the Riverina League season.
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The Lions wrapped up their pre-season trial games with a 21-point loss to Farrer League club Marrar at Langtry Oval on Sunday.
An undermanned Lions outfit started strongly before being overrun by the Bombers.
GGGM also went down to Northern Jets and Osborne in earlier trials but Sicker is happy with the improvement shown by his young group.
“We’re pretty happy with where we’re at,” Sicker said.
“We’ve had our three practice matches and now we’ve got four weeks to get ready for round one.
“We’re in the best shape we could be.”
Experienced ruckman Jacob Olsson dominated the early parts of Sunday’s trial against Marrar, before being rested after half-time.
Riley Corbett was dangerous up forward, while Jack McCaig and Zac Wiencke showed good signs.
“I was rapt,” Sicker said.
“We went in with 23, one pulled out before the game, then a couple got sore during the game.
“Our first quarter was our best, obviously we got overrun after that, but that was the best gauge of what we can do.
“That was definitely our best hit-out on the weekend. We’ve had pretty good progress with the things we’ve been working on.”
Sicker said McCaig and Jack Sase have been the two most impressive players throughout the trial games.
Glenn Sypott, Hamish Jannings, Matt Knagge, Mitch Carroll and Luke Walsh will all come into the round one team, while Lachlan Steward will be right after suffering concussion against Marrar.
The Lions will take on Collingullie-Glenfield Park in round one.
Meantime, Griffith were very impressive in their 73-point trial win over Farrer League premiers East Wagga-Kooringal at Gumly Oval on Saturday.
Brent Arho booted eight goals in his first appearance for the Swans.
Griffith coach Adrian Pavese said the most pleasing aspect was the way his team finished the trial.
“The amount of footy we had in that last quarter, I think we kicked six goals to none, and we only had three or four turnovers for the quarter,” Pavese told The Area News.
“Something that cost us a lot last year was our turnovers. So I’m pleased with that.”
The game was part of a pre-season camp for Griffith, where they reappointed James Toscan as club captain.
In other trial games from the weekend, Turvey Park edged out Temora by about three goals at Maher Oval.
The Bulldogs showed improvement from the loss to North Wagga a week earlier, while the Kangaroos also showed plenty of good signs.
Wagga Tigers were also in the winner’s list with a 17-point win over North Wagga.
It was Tigers’ first pre-season hit-out as they prepare for their premiership defence, that does not start until April 29.