It was announced last month that Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League, Group 6 Junior Rugby League and Group 6 Senior Rugby League will merge to create the Macarthur Conference Competition in 2022.

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Whilst Under 6's to Under 12's will remain in their current competitions, Under 13's through to seniors will join the new league.

Despite considering moving to the South Coast-based Group 7 competition alongside the Southern Highlands Storm or even Canberra, Murphy said the Lions would look to continue playing in the Wests Tigers catchment area.

"There were options to go down to the coast in Group 7 or down to Goulburn and Canberra but it's in our best interests [to stay]," Murphy told the Southern Highland News.

"Wests Tigers have shown a bit of faith so we're going to follow through with that and stick with them."

In fact, it was after an invitation to Tigers HQ that the club decided to give the new structure a crack.

"We were invited along with all presidents to the Wests Tigers offices in Concord earlier in the year," Murphy revealed.

"We had a bit of a chat with CEO Justin Pascoe and he said his line is open anytime. He's very interested in what the juniors are doing, especially down this part of the world.

"There's a pathways program in place but they have shown a bit more dedication and promise about how the players can actually move through that pathway.

"There are different kinds of rep teams they've brought in between SG Ball and Harold Matthews Cups. The Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups are there as well for us to combine with but knowing that the Wests Tigers are open for comment too [is good]."

Despite big clubs from Campbelltown, Glenfield and Liverpool set to prove challenging opposition in the new structure, Murphy said the biggest obstacle would be travel.

"Logistically is probably the biggest challenge for us," he explained.

"We're the most southern club in Group 6 and normally it would take us 40-50 minutes to Camden, Narellan or even Warragamba.

"Now you'll add on another half an hour to it and with our kids still playing against Group 6 teams, if you have two or three kids playing for the club, one might be in Picton and one might be down around Liverpool or Campbelltown.

"Logistically for parents driving around it will probably be a challenge but I'm sure we'll work through that, we have done for the past 100 plus years."

Discussion of the new structure is set to be a hot topic at the club's AGM in October.

Ultimately however, Murphy believes staying put is the correct decision.

"That's what I'll be bringing to the AGM and strongly putting forward that we stay with the Wests Tigers but the AGM is there for a reason.

"It's a chance for members to express their opinions and vote accordingly. All going to plan we will be with the Wests Tigers for forever and a day but you never know what will happen out of an AGM."

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