It took until midway through the final quarter but Griffith eventually overcame a gallant Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong to record their second win for the year on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Swans were put under the pump by a hard-working home team before they eventually broke the game open late, finishing 10.12 (72) to 6.2 (38) winners at Ganmain Sportsground.
In a scrappy affair, the Lions threatened when 15-year-old Matt Hamblin kicked his second goal on debut to narrow the margin to nine points eight minutes into the final term.
But Griffith got a quick reply through Jordan Iudica and then finished full of running to bag the final three goals and seal an important win.
The Swans were made to work a lot harder than in their opening round annihilation of Narrandera and new coach Will Griggs described it as a ‘wake up call’ for the Swans.
“It was a bit of a difference over the first two weeks, last week to this week,” Griggs said.
“They kind of clogged us up a bit, Ganmain, wouldn’t let us get that free-flowing style but we weren’t working near hard enough.
“It was a bit of a wake up call to the boys, we had an interrupted week on the track and it shows when we train well, we play well. I think it highlighted that we need to come ready to go at training on Tuesday.”
Griffith started the better of the two teams but were inefficient going forward, while GGGM made the most of their chances to take a three-point lead at quarter time.
The Swans continued to be wasteful in front of goal but had enough opportunities to ensure they went into half-time in front by eight points, despite having eight more scoring shots than the Lions.
Griffith kicked the first two goals after the break to extend the margin and went into three-quarter-time 20 points clear.
While the Lions challenged briefly, Griffith finished full of running to remain undefeated.
“Ganmain at home is always a tough battle, they seem to grow a leg playing at home no matter where they are on the ladder, so we knew we couldn’t let them get a jump on us early and unfortunately they did,” Griggs said.
“Their pressure was fantastic all day and to be honest, we were just happy to get away with four points.”
Griggs was happy with the way his team finished the game.
“They kicked two quick ones but to our credit, we stuck true and ran away with it in the end,” he said.
Guy Orton was very good for the Swans off half-back, while Heath Northey got a lot of the footy through the midfield.
Young ruckman Riley Irvin competed well all day and went forward late to kick two goals.
For GGGM, Jack Sase was good across half-back, while Jack McCaig worked hard at centre-half-forward.
GGGM picked up another injury concern with Lachie Parker hurting his shoulder.