GRIFFITH produced their best performance of the year to down arch-rival Leeton-Whitton by 31 points on Saturday.
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The Swans scored their first win over a top five this season and took a giant step towards cementing a finals berth, downing the Crows 13.4 (82) to 7.9 (51) at Leeton Showground.
In stark contrast of the earlier meeting between the two teams this year, Griffith started strongly and got right on top of Leeton-Whitton early.
The Swans kicked four goals to one in the first quarter, then another three to one in the second term to enter half-time 27 points clear.
The second half was much tighter but Griffith still did enough to win both quarters narrowly and enjoy their first win over Leeton-Whitton since 2014.
Griffith coach Adrian Pavese was as proud as punch and described the win as the Swans’ best performance of the season.
“They were brilliant, the boys,” Pavese said.
“It was the first time this year we’ve played we’ve played four quarters and we hit all our KPIs for the first time this year, which is good.”
Pavese said there was a sense of relief in the win, but for different reasons.
“You could say yes, there was, we finally clicked and the boys got to see that,” he said.
“It was nothing to do with my coaching, or the coaches, it all came from them. It had been building for three or four weeks and it’s a relief, that they got to see it. That when we bring that effort and intensity we can get the results.”
Pavese believes his team’s energy has helped turn a corner.
“I just think it’s the energy,” he said.
“After Collingullie put us to the sword we sat down as a group and agreed that no matter what goes on, we’ve got to keep the energy up and it stays there even in the tough times.”
Pavese said the loss to Leeton-Whitton, and particularly the bad start that day, was a big focus for the Swans.
“We couldn’t let them dictate terms like they did in round one,” he said.
“We had an inner confidence that we were a better team now then we were in round one.”
Heath Northey played his best game for Griffith and was a clear best-on-ground. Will Griggs continued his fine season with another good game, while Mick Duncan, Lucas Conlan and Jacob Conlan were all very good.
Jade Hodge and Tyh Evans were two of the better Crows, who now face a trip to Robertson Oval next week.
The Swans can all but book their ticket to September when they host Coolamon next week. They will lose Northey, who is unavailable, but get Guy Orton back.
