LEETON-WHITTON withstood a spirited late fightback from Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong to put themselves in poll position to secure a top two spot after a heart-stopping 7.12 (54) to 7.7 (49) win at Leeton Showgrounds on Saturday.
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With both teams entering the contest with a 2-1 record, the Crows looked to have the result in the bag after building a 30-point lead at three quarter time.
But the Lions surged with the only four goals of the last term to fall just short, succumbing to their second loss by less than a goal in this year's AFL Riverina Championship.
The Crows were wasteful early, booting 1.5 in the first quarter, with coach Daniel Muir the chief culprit.
But a strong first three quarters proved enough for Leeton-Whitton to join Wagga Tigers atop the ladder with three wins from four games.
"We fell over the line in the end, but it was a good win," Muir said.
"I thought we just swtiched off a bit early, before the game was in the bag. Ganmain are a quality side and they were always going to come at us.
"That last few minutes they had a burst, we were just lucky we were in front and played enough good footy beforehand.
"We stayed within our structures. We were winning the ball in the middle and turning defence into attack really well."
The Crows welcomed back a number of key players including centre-half forward Muir, key defender John Spina and Jayden Lehman and midfielder Bryce O'Garey.
Spina went off with a hamstring injury in the third quarter, but Muir described the decision as "precautionary".
"I think it might be nerves in his back more than anything. We might need to give him a rest now that we have a bit of a buffer.
"Mason Dryburgh was our best player and Sam Hopper was great all day on the wing. Bryce O'Garey and Matt Rainbird were awesome all day, getting us first use in and under.
Muir praised the work of his ruckman Mason Dryburgh against highly regarded Lions duo Jacob Olsson and Daniel Foley.
Leeton-Whitton 1.5 5.8, 7.12 7.12 (54) def GGGM 1.0 2.4 3.6 7.7 (49)
Goals: Leeton-Whitton Cooper Sharman 3, Jade Hodge 2, Ryan Dunn, Sam Hopper; GGGM Lions - Sam Murray, Zac Burhop , Scott Proctor, Jacob Olsson, Louis Miller, Ben Walsh, Nick Murray.
Best: Leeton Whitton - Mason Dryburgh, Samuel Hopper, Tyh Evans, Bryce O'Garey, Matthew Rainbird, William Wakeman; GGGM - Ben Walsh, Aaron Proctor, Thomas Quinn, Scott Proctor, Jacob Olsson, Sam Martyn
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