Mountain Lions Back To Back Wins!

[Phil Doyle]

The Katoomba-Lithgow Mountain Lions have arrived as a force to be reckoned with after two big weekends of Australian football at Katoomba Falls Reserve saw wins over the Orange Tigers last Saturday and the Mudgee Black Swans the previous Monday.

Dave Bridgeland was best on ground in the Mudgee game with his strong runs through the midfield. Dav Stritch showed strength to get down to the ball in the midfield and Sean Muir contributed all over the ground - his booming long kicks and strong tackling being a hallmark of his play. Chris Isles was everywhere in defence and was ably supported by the return of new father Ben "Dozer" Foster.

In the "Digger" Riddell Trophy for the Mountain Lions Best and Fairest Dave Bridgeland scored three points in the Mudgee game, Sean Muir two and Chris Isles one.

Last Saturday the Katoomba-Lithgow Mountain Lions took on Orange Tigers in under 17’s and seniors, with he club continuing their form from the holiday weekend.

The Mountain Lions were strong across the park from a committed and gutsy performance from the backline to a flowing and entertaining style up forward. The game, which became quite spirited at times, was played in near-freezing conditions, but the Mountain Lions never let up the pressure against last year’s Central West AFL grand finalists.

Sean Muir was best on ground and also won the ‘player’s player’ award. Charlie Body made a strong return to a side that piled on seven unanswered goals in the final term.

This coming Saturday the Mountain Lions travel to Bathurst to take on the Bathurst Eagles in under 17’s and Seniors at George Park, Bathurst.

Anyone interested in being involved in the Mountain Lions either in an on or off field capacity is encouraged to contact the club on 0415 463 585.

Details from Monday June 9 match:

Katoomba-Lithgow 19.18 (132)
Mudgee 3.2 (20)
Goals: Katoomba-Lithgow; Matt Hill 5, Sean Muir 3, Dav Stritch 2, Matt Hickey 2, Rob Mayak 2, Brent Kelly, Chris Isles, Nathan Conroy, Dave Bridgeland, Toby Wellington. Mudgee; Unavailable. Best: Katoomba-Lithgow; Bridgeland, Muir, Isles, Stritch, Kelly. Mudgee: Unavailable.
At Katoomba Falls Reserve

Details from Saturday June 14 match:

Katoomba Lithgow19.15 (129)
Orange 5.14 (44)
Goals: Katoomba-Lithgow; Hill4 Mayak 4 Muir 3 Cuffe 2 Hickie 2 Stritch Wellington Bridgeland Kelly. Orange; unavailable. Best: Katoomba-Lithgow; Muir Stritch Mayak Kelly Body Isley Martin. Orange; unavailable.
At Katoomba Falls Reserve

[Mobbenfuhrer]

On a roll Phil! No problems getting a senior possie in the league next year, now, I presume?

[Phil Doyle]

We expected to beat Mudgee but we treated the Orange game as a 'final' and all the guys lifted, putting in 110% across the park. I played my best game of footy in five years across the backline, keeping Orange goal-less for the final quarter.

Orange were no slouches and in the second quarter things got a bit heated. By the third quarter the umps were forced to bring all players in and have a chat about the tone of the sledging, some late shots and the increasing number of swinging arms coming into the game.

after that we settled down and played footy. It was four degrees and the wind was howling across the ground, making our goalkicking effort even more impressive. Snow was forecast but luckily it held off for the game.

it was a great win and its still sinking in.

We are meeting with the NSWAFL on Tuesday to discuss entering a side in the Sydney Football Association Div 2. Because of travel concerns this is our preferred option. Ironically it is the travel concerns of other SFA clubs that may derail our admission there. The SFA is run directly by the NSWAFL, not its constituent clubs, so a bit of support from the benevolent dictatorship could see us in.

We are hesitant to go directly to first grade of the CWAFL as Mudgee are getting walloped each week, and the CWAFL rules mean that we would have to field under 14's, under 17's, reserves and seniors in two years (2006). I doubt very much if we could do that. One of Mudgee's problems is the number of players that have to back up over two grades, a situation we would be keen to avoiud.

The reserve competition is under a cloud at the moment and what we would probably see in the CWAFL is an age restricted comp - a combination of x number of under 20's and x number of over 30's, which would be an administrative nightmare.

The advantage of the SFA Div 2 is that we would have to feild only one senior side and could enter an under 16's side in the Western Districts (Penrith) Junior AFL.

But we won, and that's the main thing.

[Dogwatcher]

Originally posted by Phil Doyle
But we won, and that's the main thing.

Woo ha woo ha!

[TheMase]

And now you guys travel to Bathurst!

I will probably be there, in some form.
I received a nice corked thigh from my match(s) against Parkes on the weekend (yes, Reserves and First Grade :confused:).

We will see, but it'd be nice to catch up with you Phil!

[Phil Doyle]

Well, the travel will soon sort us out, that's for sure. It will be interesting to see what sort of side we have available.

Looking forward to it Mase - seniors at 1pm, George Park, and you guys have the ump!

I'll be in the back pocket wearing number 10.

[TheMase]

Originally posted by Phil Doyle
Well, the travel will soon sort us out, that's for sure. It will be interesting to see what sort of side we have available.

Looking forward to it Mase - seniors at 1pm, George Park, and you guys have the ump!

I'll be in the back pocket wearing number 10.

Will be good to have a run against you guys.

I am not sure who'll umpire the match LOL! I certainly am not going to do it, I'd rather play to be honest.

Looks like I will be playing too, thigh seems to be coming along well!

I am not sure what number I will be wearing, it seems to change week to week :D But I have been wearing number 75 (yes large number) with long sleeves in the last few matches, so I will probably grab that one again.

I'll say gday :)

[Mobbenfuhrer]

How did *I* go, Phil? :)

[Dogwatcher]

Originally posted by Mobbenfuhrer
How did *I* go, Phil? :)

Dont tell me that *I* was dropped for Kev, Phil!

[Mobbenfuhrer]

Oh, am *I* still in the wings, squeezed out of playing by Rob, Phil?

[Phil Doyle]

Originally posted by Mobbenfuhrer
How did *I* go, Phil? :)

In Parkes? Oh, we had Dogwatcher ;)