The off-season was a very trying and emotional time for the new "Greater Sydney Juniors-Sydney West" region. The AFL's governing body pushed for many changes in the area including changing the competition days to Sunday and announcing that the Under 16's would be joining the "Northside" competition. After much heated discussion, the AFL listened to the "needs" of the region and relented on both fronts. A Sydney West/South West competition was formed in the Under 16's which eventuated into the biggest competition in Sydney in that age group.
The Emu Plains/Glenmore Park Lions were very active in the schools in the area. The Club donated jerseys to local primary schools and funded the installation of AFL posts to the local high school, Nepean High. The club was in a position to purchase new jerseys due to the great sponsorship by Jim Aitken + Partners, Emu Sports Club, PKC Management and ADI Industries. Many thanks to Lions Stalwart, Geoff Payne for his massive involvement in the schools programme over the formative years of the club. Two "Bunnings" BBQ's were run by the Lions in February and March which provided good funding for the year and a Framed signed Sydney Swans Premiership Jersey was raffled which also helped boost the clubs coffers.
Craig Sharp took over the all-important role of Football Manager and certainly had his work cut out for him early in the season. With two tens teams and two twelves, the club was seeing the other side of the coin when it came to expansion. The days got longer for all concerned.
The Emu Plains/Glenmore Park Auskick squad was again strong with great numbers attending after many had gone up to Under 10's footy. David and Karen Batson continued the excellent work done by their predeccessors and indeed added some more variety to the programme. They also convinced nine parents to participate in their Level 0 coaching accreditation. Other highlights of the year for this talented squad were: Playing at Telstra at Half Time, Parents V Kids match, Balloon Games, Brekkie at McDonalds, the Dukes Oval Auskick Gala Day where over 110 kids from various clubs participated, Fruit Platters at half time and the amount of parent helpers that pitched in every week.
It was a rocky road for the Under 10's. The AFL had encouraged clubs to have minimum numbers in the 10's, so with about 22 players available, a decision was made to have two teams. It became evident that other clubs did not follow this recommendation so after the first round, the club listened to the pleas of the coaches and merged these teams into one team. The team managed to win their next match against Penrith which was their only win of the season, but with only three "true tens" and the rest either nine or eight, it was always going to be a case of "next year" being their year. Coaches Paul Hocking and Glen Stevens did an exceptional job in blooding these youngsters for the future along with their support staff, Monique Holburn, Greg Beacroft, John Pollock, Dave Batson and Mitch Perry.
The Under 12's were split into two teams in 2006 as the club experienced a torrent of late registrations in this age group. The club continued their policy of selecting sides of equal ability. The "Gold" team was coached by former player, Matthew Cusack who did a magnificent job with the kids. Matty set up some early rules which the teams adhered to rigorously and although, as expected, they did not make the finals series, their commitement was beyond expectations. The great news for the team and the club was the "comeback" of one of our original Auskickers, Chris Nolan, along with parents and club founders, Kim and David Nolan. Both the Nolans and Paul and Liz Devlin did a wonderful job in assisting Matthew, who was doing his HSC that year. Janine Worth was Manager of the team. John Rix stepped up in his usual style with another difficult task of coaching the 12's Maroon side. It was difficult in that only thirteen players were available, but they were certainly a class team with players of the caibre of Pat Pope, Ryan Ely, Alexander Hocking, Alexander Wade, Julian Borg, Jeremy Rix and others playing in the side. With many Under 10's playing up every week, their position on the ladder did not reflect their ability often going down in tight matches to the leading teams.
The Under 14's also had another stellar year under the coaching of the "evergreen" Geoff Payne. With a squad of nineteen players and a rapidly improving region, it was becoming tougher each week to keep up the consistency. The team often had to rely on a number of Under 12's to back up every week and they did it with aplomb. With the "veterans' group of Matty Payne, Adam Sharp, Gordon Howell, Nic Edwards, Luke Fitzpatrick and co leading the way, the team performed very well and once again made the finals series finishing third in the "home and away" series, but had a rare "off" day when beaten favourites in the elimination semi-final by an enthusiastic Blue Mountains side.
The Under 16's Mountain Lions success continued in 2007. Sporting a new and unique playing strip, reflecting the colours of both the Lions and Kangaroos. Lyle Thomas and Kevin Tate took on coaching duties with the team finishing second on the ladder. The most memorable match was played at Dukes Oval when they took on the South West outfit, the Razorbacks. The Camden/Wollondilly team had been unbeaten in the home and away series for two and a half years. Manager Greg Corless reported on the match:
"It was the dreaded return match against the Razorbacks, who had easily accounted for us in the two previous matches played during the year. The match, before a big crowd at Dukes Oval saw the boys get off to a flying start which stunned the visitors and by half time had grafted to a thirteen point lead. The Razorbacks came alive in the third quarter kicking five goals to one and looked set to run away with the match. The Lions to a man lifted with three goals in the last quarter and sensational defence in the final five minutes put to rest the myth that the Razorbacks were invincible with an incredible three point win to the Mountain Lions"
The Razorbacks, however, got revenge in the major semi final and a week later the Lions played Ingelburn in the Preliminary Final. After gaining an early lead, some unusual decisions by the South West umpire saw the confused team drop their intensity with the Magpies going on to win the match and dashing the hopes of a blockbuster Grand Final against the Razorbacks, who accounted for Ingleburn easily in that match. The team however, won the GWFA Cup once again.
Committee 2006 |
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President |
Greg Corless |
Vice President |
Graeme Lean |
Treasurer |
Greg Rogers |
Secretary |
John Rix |
Football Operations Manager |
Craig Sharp |
Committee |
Geoff Payne |
Committee |
Glen Stevens |
Committee |
David Batson |
Committee |
Sandi Thomas |
Team Staff 2006 |
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Auskick Coach |
David Batson |
Auskick Manager |
Karen Batson |
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Under 10's Coach |
Glen Stevens |
Under 10's Coach |
Paul Hocking |
Under 10's Manager |
Monique Holburn |
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Under 12's "Gold" Coach |
Matthew Cusack |
Under 12's "Gold" Assistant Coach |
David Nolan |
Under 12's "Gold" Assistant Coach |
Paul Devlin |
Under 12's "Gold" Manager |
Janine Worth |
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Under 12's "Maroon" Coach |
John Rix |
Under 12's "Maroon" Manager |
Kylie Rix |
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Under 14's Coach |
Geoff Payne |
Under 14's Assistant Coach |
Craig Sharp |
Under 14's Manager |
Joann Randall |
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Under 16's Coach |
Kevin Tate |
Under 16's Coach |
Lyle Thomas |
Under 16's Manager |
Greg Corless |
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Other Volunteers 2006 |
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The Dixon Family |
Canteen |
Victoria Becus |
Canteen |
Heidi Howell |
Canteen |
Jan Rogers |
Canteen |
Cusack Family |
Fundraising |
Karen Batson |
Property Manager |
Greg Beacroft |
Football Operations |
John Pollock |
Football Operations |
Mitch Perry |
Football Operations |
Kim Nolan |
Football Operations |
Liz Devlin |
Football Operations |
Leah Jeffreys-Brown |
Football Operations |
PKC Management |
Major Sponsor |
Jim Aitken |
Major Sponsor |
Emu Sports Club |
Major Sponsor |
Award Winners
Award |
Under 10 |
Under 12 Gold |
Under 12 Maroon |
Under 14 |
Under 16 |
Best and Fairest |
Jake Stevens |
James Devlin |
Patrick Pope |
Gordon Howell |
Josh Shephard** |
Most Consistent |
Tim Thomas |
Christopher Nolan |
Alexander Hocking |
Matthew Payne* |
Tayt Corless |
Most Improved |
Matthew Barbuto |
Emma Crilly |
Blayne Robinson |
Luke Fitzpatrick |
Joshua Anasis |
Coach's Award |
Bryony Corless |
Michael Kerr |
Jake Jeffreys-Brown |
Tom Noble |
Aidan Cook |
Senior Clubperson |
Stephen Dixon |
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Junior Clubperson |
Adam Sharp |
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*Matthew Payne was also voted Best & Fairest (umpire votes) in the 2006 Sydney West Under 14's Competition
** Josh Shephard was also voted Best & Fairest (umpire votes) in the 2006 Sydney West/South West Under 16's Competition
Representative Players
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
GSJ - Sydney West Under 10's |
Timothy Thomas |
GSJ - Sydney West Under 14's |
Matthew Large |
GSJ - Sydney West Under 11's |
Christopher Nolan |
GSJ - Sydney West Under 14's |
Adam Sharp |
GSJ - Sydney West Under 11's |
Patrick Pope |
GSJ - Sydney West Under 14's |
Matthew Payne* |
GSJ - Sydney West Under 14's |
Luke Fitzpatrick |
GSJ - Sydney West Under 14's |
James Randal |
*Matthew Payne was also selected for: The Sydney Northern Starz Under 14's, The Sydney Brumbies Under 15's and the Sydney Swans Academy.
Milestones
Milestone |
Player |
Milestone |
Player |
100 Club Games |
Blake Daenell |
50 Club Games |
Mitchell Rogers |
100 Club Games |
Joshua Cochrane |
50 Club Games |
Timothy Thomas |
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50 Club Games |
Jeremy Rix |
50 Club Games |
James Devlin |
50 Club Games |
Alexander Wade |
Service Awards
Recipient |
Games |
Tayt Corless |
117 Club Games |
Joshua Cochrane |
106 Club Games |
Joshua Anasis |
91 Club Games |
David Webb |
72 Club Games |
Joshua Shephard |
70 Club Games |
Last Modified on 26/12/2008 10:03