The Bill Nikolopoulos Cup is an annual three-game International Rules series played against the Wombats, played in honour of our great friend and team-mate Bill Nikolopoulos who passed away last year and who played with such distinction for both the Lions and the Wombats.

 

The 3 match series between the Gaelic Lions and the Wombats kicked off at Turf City on Saturday 3^rd March. In the first encounter, the Wombats ran out victors for the first time since the series began in 2006.

 

The 2nd game was held on Saturday 21^st April at the SMU. The game was tight, hard, fair, and played in a great spirit. Afterwards the teams and supporters mixed together over a cool beer or two, with the talk about how everyone enjoyed it. 

In the game the Wombats lead until the fourth quarter taking full advantage of the defensive lapses of the Lions. In the fourth quarter the Lions made the most of the lucky breaks and got the scores needed to pull ahead. Even then the Wombats did not give up and with a strong defensive performance from the backs and midfield the Lions held out for a much needed victory.

 

The 3^rd and Final Game, the decider was held at Turf City on Saturday 19^th May. The Wombats battled hard in this final game, ensuring that the Lions had to work very hard through the 4 quarters. In the end however, the Lions emerged victorious to retain the Bill Nikolopoulos Cup for the 2^nd year in a row.