HIS teammates got a chance to atone last week, but Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong youngster Matt Hamblin wants to put the gut wrenching loss to Wagga Tigers behind him with a strong display at Leeton-Whitton on Saturday.
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Hamblin, 17, played for GWS Giants Academy against the Swans Academy last week, when the Lions put their late fadeout to the Tigers behind them to win at Osborne.
It sets up a crucial clash against fellow 2-1 outfit the Crows in the six-round AFL Riverina Championship, with the victor to gain the inside running for a top two spot and a double chance in finals.
"They (Swans Academy) were pretty good in the second half and they ended up beating us by about three goals," Hamblin said.
"I really enjoy getting back to Ganmain, and it's a big game for us this week.
"They'll have a fairly young side as well so they should run out the four quarters quite easily.
"I haven't really looked at their list but I know they've got a fair few of the Canberra boys back from uni and they'll be pretty handy."
Hamblin was influential against the Tigers with two goals, and is a handy addition to a side rated by many as the benchmark in this year's six-team competition.
He believes the loss to the Tigers can be a pivotal moment in their season.
"It was a bit annoying (conceding) that game with a goal with 20 seconds to go, it's the way it goes sometimes but it was disappointing," he said.
"It's very rare a team goes through winning every game. It should hopefully be a wake up call really, and a reminder we have to be better.
"We haven't seen much of the other teams because everyone's playing Saturday, so you can't watch everyone else and see which players are doing well.
"But by all accounts Leeton's looking strong and they'll be tough."
Leeton were missing a number of key players in last week's loss to the Tigers including coach Daniel Muir, John Spina, Bryce O'Garey, Lucas Meline and Coopa Steele.
The Crows also lost Jayden Lehman (shoulder) and Sam Hopper (knee), but Muir expects all of them to be available bar Steele, who remains on Giants Academy duties.
"It's a big week to see who has the upper hand to finish top two," Muir said.
"The guys who came off in the last quarter was more precautionary. They all trained last night, which was pleasing, so touch wood everything goes OK and they'll be right to go.
"It's a good problem having so much depth, guys are being picked on form and not on name. It's exciting for the club to field such a strong seniors and reserves side."
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