GANMAIN-Grong Grong-Matong said the AFL Riverina Championship's rules forced them to reluctantly field injured forward Riley Corbett on the reserve grade bench in order for him to qualify for finals against Turvey Park on Saturday.
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Corbett hasn't played since injuring his ankle in round two, but rules stipulate he must have been selected for three games to be eligible to play in the finals series.
The Lions warmed up for next week's elimination final clash against Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes with a 19.13 (127) to 5.10 (40) win over Turvey Park at Ganmain Sportsground.
Two losses by less than a kick to top two sides Wagga Tigers and Leeton-Whitton ultimately proved costly for GGGM, who now must win three straight finals to win the AFL Riverina Championship.
Lions coach Christin Macri said they had no option but to sit Corbett on the bench without playing a single minute in case his ankle heals in time to play a part in finals.
"Unfortunately we had to do that, we didn't want to do that but the rules are he has to play the three games, even though he's been injured," Macri said.
"I find it a bit strange when guys are injured and they would be playing if they weren't, it's not like they're anywhere else.
"We didn't like to do that but he's an important player, he's moving well and trained through the week so he's not far away.
"He probably won't play next week but we'll see what happens after that if we're good enough."
GWS Giants Academy prospect Liam Delahunty is also an option to come in for this debut first grade game for the Lions next week after again playing in the reserves, but Macri said he will most likely miss out.
"It's going to be difficult because we've had another strong performance and with Sam Murray (hamstring) coming back in and Mick Rothnie missing today too, we'll have to see what happens.," Macri said.
"Selection will be challenging but that's what you want."
The Lions had far too much arsenal for the bottom-placed Lions, finishing with 11 different goal kickers to fine tune for the Goannas.
Louis Miller bagged four goals and Matt Hamblin three, while Sam Martyn, Zac Burhop and Tom Anderson were also influential.
"We wanted to make sure we continued to play team football. We had 11 diffferent goal kickers which showed we did that, so we're really pleased," Macri said.
"It's a team first attitude and that shone out in a fair bit of our play today, that's what you need to try and win finals footy."
GGGM 6.5 12.8 13.12 19.13 (127) def Turvey Park 2.1 3.2 5.7 5.10 (40)
GOALS: GGGM - Louis Miller 4, Matthew Hamblin 3, Samuel Martyn 2, Thomas Anderson 2, Zac Burhop 2, Scott Proctor, Ben Walsh, Thomas Sase, Curtis Steele, Nicholas Murray; Turvey Park - Bradley Ashcroft 2, Harry Woods, Will Ashcroft, Patrick Voss.
BEST: GGGM - Samuel Martyn, Louis Miller, Zac Burhop, Jacob Olsson, Daniel Foley, Thomas Anderson; Turvey Park - Jackson Weidemann, Alexander Rogers, Jack Haggar, Chase Grintell, Harry Woods, Tyler Cunningham
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