Just eight days after being smacked by Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes, the Lions responded in style with a 17.9 (111) to 7.7 (49) victory in front of a good crowd at Ganmain Sportsground.

The Lions were in control from the outset but an eight-goal third quarter put the result beyond doubt.

GGGM kicked four unanswered goals during a 10-minute period in the second quarter to establish a 37-point buffer and then drove it home with eight majors to two in the third term.

Tigers had the better of the last quarter but the heat had well and truly gone out of the contest by that time.

GGGM coach Sam Martyn revealed Wagga Tigers' after the siren win over the Lions at the same venue in last year's AFL Riverina Championship had been a source of motivation for his team.

"We spoke about last year, getting pipped at the post and going into our shells," Martyn said.

"We played a really good brand of footy for three quarters last year and when the pressure was put on us, we went into our shells and probably didn't play the free flowing footy that we're capable of.

"To see that we've learned from that mistake and be I guess proactive, be the aggressors was really pleasing. The fourth quarter we let our foot off the pedal a bit but you expect that with tiredness creeping in and fatigue."

Martyn was happy with the way his men responded after their first loss of the season last week.

"It was a really pleasing result. Good to get one back, especially against the reigning premiers," he said.

"It's a good morale boost for the boys. I guess we've beaten some sides that were lower than us but to beat one of the sides that are still contending is really pleasing. It sort of shows that our brand sticks up against the best of them.

"We got jumped (last week) and we didn't what that to happen again. We had an emphasis on a fast start and the boys responded really well and continued to put the foot on the pedal all the way to the finish line."

The Lions had an even spread of contributors and players to hit the scoreboard.

GGGM ruckman Jacob Olsson made the most of his size advantage and gave his team first use, while also working hard defensively to make life tough for Tigers.

Kirk Mahon proved what a valuable addition he is, while Dan Foley, Tom Anderson and Matt Hamblin continued their good seasons.

Tigers struggled to have too many winners across the ground. Charlie Bance won plenty of the footy across half-back, while captain-coach Murray Stephenson kicked three goals and was a strong target until he shifted to defence midway through the third term.

Nathan Cooke also battled away admirably in the ruck despite giving away a great deal in size.

Tiger lost Tom McCoullough to a yellow card in the second quarter.

Tigers will be hoping to regain the likes of Tom Osmotherly, Ryan Falkenberg and Hamish Gilmore as soon as possible.

FULL-TIME

GANMAIN-GRONG GRONG-MATONG (111)

4.1 8.3 16.5 17.9

WAGGA TIGERS (49)

1.2 3.2 5.4 7.7

Goals: (GGGM) Riley Corbett 2, Michael Rothnie 2, Jack Sase 2, Daniel Foley 2, George Alexander 2, Thomas Anderson 2,Matthew Hamblin 2, Kirk Mahon 1, Luke Walsh 1, Jesse Lander 1; (Wagga Tigers) Murray Stephenson 3, Patrick Ryan 1, Nick Ryan 1, Jock Cornell 1, Brady Morton 1, Lahn Shepherd 1.

Best: (GGGM Lions) Jacob Olsson, Daniel Foley, Aaron Proctor, Michael Rothnie, Matthew Knagge, Sam Martyn; (Wagga Tigers) Charlie Bance, Nathan Cooke, Reid Gordon, Thomas McCoullough.

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