The Swans welcomed back Jacob and Lucas Conlan for the day but it mattered little as the Lions continued their strong start to the season with a 44-point win, 12.11 (83) to 5.9 (39) at Exies Oval.

Not only were the Swans boosted for the clash but the Lions went in without young guns Matt Hamblin, Kai Watts and the travelling Kirk Mahon.

Any doubts were put to bed early as GGGM kicked five unanswered first-quarter goals to open up a 31-point lead.

The Swans lifted their intensity and more than matched the visitors for the next two quarters, before the Lions finished full of running in the final term.

GGGM coach Sam Martyn was best-on-ground and he was relieved to survive a potentially dangerous trip to Griffith.

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"I was actually really nervous about it, to be honest...but I was really, really impressed with the boys," Martyn said.

"The first quarter, we had it on our terms. We were able to play the brand we want to play. We retained possession for most of that quarter.

"But the second quarter, we just went away from what we are good at. Our pressure went down and theirs went up. Credit to them, they did what they did against Coolamon, they kept grinding and willing their way to the contest.

"At half-time, even though we were winning, I gave the boys a bit of a bake because we just lowered our standards. That was the most disappointing thing.

"Even in the third quarter, it was a tight contest and we made some really silly errors. I think we thought we were a bit better than what we were today, at times.

"Then the last quarter, we rolled our sleeves up and got to work and ran out the game really well. That was the most impressive part. Sometimes you've got to win ugly and I think that's what we did today."

The Lions did get a couple of injury concerns with Ben Walsh (hamstring) and Josh Walsh (ankle) both going to be racing the clock to be fit to face Coolamon in the upcoming local derby.

Martyn also singled out the Lions' defence for their efforts in shutting down a dangerous Griffith attack.

Nathan Richards, Jack Powell and Riley Irvin were best for the Swans.

Full-time

GGGM Lions 5.2, 6.5, 7.9, 12.11 (83)

Griffith Swans 0.1, 3.8, 4.9, 5.9 (39)

GOALS, GGGM Lions: Thomas Anderson 3, Riley Corbett 2, George Alexander 1, Lachlan Parker 1, Jack Sase 1, Jacob Olsson 1,Daniel Foley 1, Ben Walsh 1, Jesse Lander 1; Griffith Swans: Henry Delves 2, Jack Powell 2, Jack Rowston 1

BEST, GGGM Lions: Sam Martyn, Joshua Walsh, Jesse Lander, Jacob Olsson, Jakob Taylor, Thomas Anderson; Griffith Swans: Riley Irvin, Charlie Cunial, James Toscan, Nathan Richards, Jay Summers, Henry Delves.

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