Swans down Dogs in surprise thriller

The Bulldogs produced a performance that signalled they will not be easy competition as they made Griffith earn the four points, 13.13 (91) to 12.9 (81).

The Bulldogs led at quarter time and the main break and were still right in the hunt going into the final term, down by just five points.

Griffith’s experience shone through as they did enough to get the points but it was far from a convincing performance.

Griffith coach Brandon Mathews chose instead to give the opposition praise.

“They were good,” Mathews said.

“We were obviously a little bit short staffed but full credit to Turvey, their contested footy was terrific, really good.

“We really didn’t show up with the right attitude but I don’t want to take anything away from Turvey, they cracked in really good.”

Mathews also credited Turvey Park coach Brad Burkinshaw for the job he was doing with the Bulldogs.

In the end, he was happy to get away with the win.

“Late, we did enough,” he said.

“It’s not good when get smashed at the contest like that.

“But we’ll take the four points and go home.”

Ben King and Chris Cerato led the charge for Griffith, while Jono Gastin and James Toscan both chimed in with four goals each.

It was an unusual situation for Cerato, the former coach of Turvey Park, going to Maher Oval as a visitor and playing against the Bulldogs for the first time.

Josh Donaldson, Dane Campbell and Tim Doyle were just three of the Bulldogs to have a crack for four quarters.

Dusty Brown proved dangerous in attack and booted five goals.

Griffith were without Mathews, Josh Hamilton, Sam Daniel, Tim Mathieson, Mick Duncan and Che Jenkins and hope to regain them in coming weeks.

Griffith will host Coolamon in a big round four contest at Kindra Park next Sunday.

The Bulldogs travel to Ganmain Sportsground to take on the Lions.

Full-time

GRIFFITH (91)

1.3 4.8 9.11 13.13

TURVEY PARK (81)

2.2 5.4 9.6 12.9

Goals: (Griffith) J Toscan 4, J Gastin 4, C Cerato 2, D Crack, R Malone, R Johns; (Turvey Park) D Brown 5, J Brooks 2, T Doyle, A Hill, N Flanigan, J Haggar, C Grintell.

Best: (Griffith) B King, J Taylor, J Gastin, K Ruyg, C Cerato, J Toscan; (Turvey Park) J Donaldson, D Campbell, T Doyle, J Brooks, D Brown, F Doherty.