Mittagong Lions will enter their first trial match of the season on Saturday with a cloud still hanging over their future.
The Lions face Group 7 side Berry on their home ground tomorrow evening, uncertain whether the side will be able to field a competitive first grade side this season.
Club officials have been working overtime trying to attract sponsors and quality players to the club but so far they have had mixed success.
Mittagong Lions coach Grahame Andrews said the club will have a better idea of where they stand after this weekend's trial against Berry and at this stage the club is determined to have another crack at the top grade.
"We are, but we can't let what happened last year happen again. We'll just wait and see what happens on Saturday and gauge our decision on it from that."
The Lions have attracted at least four classy players to their ranks this season, but those gains have been offset by the loss of key players.
Last year's skipper Lee Faavae has rejoined Thirlmere, Steven Baines has signed with the Goulburn Stockmen and Mark Georgiades will line up for The Oaks.
Trent Anderson, Shane Struthers and Dean Johnsen, who all live in the Sutherland Shire, may line up for the club again in 2004, but the trio have yet to sign on the dotted line, with Struthers waiting for clearance from his surgeon.
Among the new faces at the club are hooker Jamaine Yasso from Logan City in Brisbane, former Wests lower grade centre Trent Horsey, ex-Souths second rower John Sutu and Richard Pasikala, who has returned to club after playing in Newcastle.
Talented fullback Patrick Molan and prop Paul Downs are also in training with the club and Andrews reckons the club only needs two or three more quality players to be a competitive outfit.
"If we can get 13 players to that last session of the week and create some form of atmosphere and camaraderie we won't set the world on fire but we'll certainly compete with the sides up there and keep the club going," he said.
The club's commitee, led by president Tony Caldwell, have been pounding the pavement in recent weeks approaching local businesses for support and no matter what happens Andrews said the club has left no stone unturned.
"The president, you've got to give him credit, he's putting it in. I don't now how successful he's been, but he's been foot slogging, he's been putting the effort in.
"We've got a committee that's willing to put in and take a few risks to attract players and we hope to get the sponsorship to be able to afford them."
But Mittagong are mindful of the disruption Warragamba's withdrawal caused last year and Andrews said the club will make a decision sooner rather than later.
"It's only fair that if we can't (do it) we're not going to wait until the comp starts and jerk the other sides around, so we've got to make a decision in the next week or two, but I'll be annoyed if we haven't got the players to do it," Andrews said.
As for the side's first hitout for 2004 tomorrow night, Andrews is not expecting any miracles against the Shoalhaven-based side.
"We're going down to play a strong side and they went real well last year, so it's going to be tough that's for sure." he said.
All three grades will play against Berry tomorrow with the under-18s starting at 4pm.
Email a friend