Marrar coach Shane Lenon pleased with how Bombers are shaping up after eight-point win over Griffith in trial game

The Bombers put the finishing touches on their round one preparation with an eight-point win over an undermanned Griffith at Langtry Oval on Saturday.

The Swans started strongly before the Bombers worked back into the contest to take a narrow win, 9.16 (70) to 9.8 (62) in windy conditions.

Jack Reynolds was a standout for the Bombers, while James Lawton made a strong impression and kicked a couple of goals in a competitive duel with Griffith defender James Toscan.

New Griffith recruit Jack Powell impressed for the Swans and was a clear standout for the visitors.

Marrar coach Shane Lenon was pleased to be competitive against quality Riverina League opposition and believes it will give the Bombers confidence heading into a round one clash against Northern Jets.

"That's the beauty of playing RFL sides. I think you get a lot more out of playing an RFL side, it's a bit stronger comp, your playing group can learn a lot from that and you certainly get a lot more out of playing better opposition than you do playing someone and beating them by 100 points," Lenon said.

"We really look forward to playing against the RFL sides and to be able to get over an RFL side is a good result."

Lenon said it was a sharp but expected improvement from a big loss to Collingullie-Glenfield Park a week earlier.

"I expected that we would perform a fair bit better. I think we had 12 players in this week that didn't play last week so the side was obviously a lot stronger on paper," he said.

"We prepared a lot better this week, training was good Thursday night and we prepared similar to what we would round one. We put a few things in place, played a bit more to our structures and I was pretty happy with how the team performed, it was a good effort."

Lenon says he now has some selection headaches to work on before round one but is happy enough with how they are coming together for the Jets clash on Saturday week.

"We've got a young side, I think we'll improve as the season progresses," he said.

"I think we've done enough work and we're going to have a side good enough to be competitive round one, that's what it's all been aimed at. Your pre-season and your trial games and everything you do is all aimed at being ready and prepared to turn up and perform round one and we've ticked the boxes along the way and I think we're in pretty good shape heading into round one.

"We didn't get any injuries out of (Saturday's) game so we'll select a side and we should have a fair few to select from so it should be all good."

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Others to impress for Marrar in the trial were Jackson Moye, Chris O'Donnell and Jack McPherson.

Lenon was also happy with what Lawton provided the Bombers in attack.

"He was very good. He obviously kicked a couple and was very dangerous up forward," he said.

"He set up goals and gave us a good target there. You couldn't have asked for much more, being his first game and he'll be better for the run but he's going to be an asset for the side."

Griffith will take on Collingullie-Glenfield Park in round one at Crossroads Oval on April 17.

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