BIG FINISH: Linore Zamparini with the Group 10 premiership trophy after Sunday's grand final in Lithgow. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0916cyms4
IT finished with a bang but Group 10 president Linore Zamparini said the 2012 season was a challenging one.
Lithgow claimed the premiership with its 40-14 grand final win over Orange CYMS on Sunday.
The grand finals in Lithgow capped off a headline-grabbing season for Group 10.
Zamparini said the season had produced some excellent games but also delivered some challenges.
The biggest was the round 10 premier league match between Mudgee and Lithgow which was called off after 37 minutes following four brawls and three sin bins.
Eight players were suspended for a combined total of 25 weeks for their involvement in the incidents and the two clubs fined.
While it was a bad moment for Group 10, Zamparini said they learnt from it.
“We had a few trying issues during the year,” Zamparini said.
“We’ve dealt with them and I don’t think they’ll rear their head again next season.
“We’ll certainly look for signs before anything happens now. We can put players on notice.”
The fallout from the game prompted some changes in the Group 10 judiciary process which have worked well since.
“The judiciary is handing down penalties to suit the offence,” Zamparini said.
“They [players] know on Tuesday night what grade they get and the penalty. They have an opportunity to take the early plea or front the judiciary.
“It’s free-flowing. The coaches know who they have in the team for next week, or more importantly who they don’t have.
“It’s a good system. There are still going to be some tweaks next year but once they’re done it will be great.”
The president said there still needed to be more communication between the clubs, the group and the referees to ensure a good season in 2013.
This year Group 10 introduced the “tough love” rule for under 18s players in an attempt to stamp out violence in the sport.
This meant any player who threw a punch during a game was sent off but Zamparini said some players weren’t getting the message.
“It was disappointing there were lots of under 18s sent off for the tough love rule,” he said.
“They’ll certainly learn. If they’re playing in under 18s next year that will be on their record. It stays with them and if they do something else the penalty will be more severe.”
Zamparini said while they had their share of problems, overall, he was happy with the standard delivered in the Group 10 competitions this season.
“It was pretty good. Most clubs were represented in the finals,” he said.
The 2013 season could be even better with Blayney working towards fielding teams in all three grades next year.
Blackheath is also confident of stepping up to premier league in 2013 after fielding first division and under 18s sides this year.
The Group 10 annual general meeting will be held in November and Zamparini said he would stand for president again.
“It’s up to the clubs but we’ll see how we go,” he said.