1914 to 1948
It is believed that the first competition the Griffith (Red & Whites) played was in 1914 when a local competition between Griffith, Darlington Point, Whitton and Mission Station. The Red and Whites (As they were known in the early years) won premierships in 1914, 1915 and 1917.
In 1921 the Griffith & District Football Association was formed, affiliated clubs being Griftith (coached by Jack Wood), Hanwood (George Bruce), Yenda (Frank Ballenger) and Binya (Ken Mathieson). Binya defeated Griffith (1 goal to 1 point) in the Grand Final played at Yenda with scoring almost impossible in boisterous 60 mph winds.
Griffith (Red & Whites) turned the tables on Binya in 1922, winning by 4 points.
In 1925 Griffith joined the MIA Football League and finished the season as Minor Premiers but Yanco defeated them in the Grand Final at Whitton by five points. With the redoubtable ’Pouncer’ Wade returning from the defunct Wilga team, accompanied by a young ’gun’ named Jack Haines, Griffith again, under the leadership of Frank Polkinhorne was ready for success.
Season 1926 saw Jack Haines give a brilliant exhibition of ‘king’ football in the Grand Final played on the Griffith Rugby Oval, defeating minor premiers Yanco by 15 points. Ack Haines was acclaimed hero of the game with his brilliance and eight match-winning goals.
They were again the superior team in 1927 finishing the season as minor premiers before again defeating Yanco by 8 points in the Grand Final at Whitton. Under the playing conditions as set down, Griffith became the holder of the Johnnie Walker Cup by winning the competition in two consecutive years. This cup was first presented to the League in 1924 when it was won by Wilga.
Griffith was known as the ‘Tigers’ from 1925 to 1936, and wore black and gold vertical striped jerseys.
In 1928 Griffith elected to play challenge matches in the district. For the next decade Griffith played in the Barellan & District F A 1929-30, Leeton & District F A 1931, Griffith & District F A 1932-33, Western Riverina A N F A 1934, Leeton & District F A 1935-38, South Western District F L 1939-1940.
Information Courtesy of Trevor Harrison and originally published in a book titled ‘Early Griffith & District A Pictorial
History’ Published by Griffith Genealogical & Historical
Society Inc, October 2005