In perfect conditions the 2009 season kicked off as the Cats played host to Mount Evelyn. With no under 18's this season the day's football action kicked off at 12.15 and here is a review of the day's games:

Reserves

Despite plenty of speculation around the Valley that we were struggling to field a Reserves side, we managed to easily field a team and have players miss out! With Darren "Daisy" Stegehuis taking over the coaching role from Brett Hartman the Cats took to the field a little under done however full of enthusiasm.The unlikely "Monga" booted the first goal of the game and another from Allan Thornhill saw Silvan hold the early advantage. Mount Evelyn hit back however and at the first change they held a four point lead. The second term saw the Cats strike  first again as the 2008 B & F winner John Bonanno put his name on the scoresheet as did last years under 18 leading goalkicker Rory Kavanagh. Despite the 2 key forwards registering goals it was the opposition who slammed on 6 for the quarter to go into the main break with a 29 point buffer.
The Cats came out firing in the third, again it was the two big forwards looking dangerous as was A.B who was picking up plenty of touches in the middle. The side was being led from the younger brigade namely Shorty, Wellsy, Jake Healey and Trent Matthews all of whom played 18's last year. Unfortunately the Cats couldn't find the big sticks with 9 shots on goal registering 4 goals 5 behinds for the quarter. Nonetheless this drew them within 3 goals at the last change.
Mount Evelyn got on top early in the final term and our boys ran out of puff as we watched the opposition pile on 7 goals to none in a disappointing finish. The signs are there and "Daisy" will walk away from this 61 point loss knowing with a few handy players to return that there is plenty of room for improvement in his young side.
Final Scores: Mount Evelyn 18.10.118 Defeated Silvan 8.9. 57
Goals: John Bonanno 3, Rory Kavanagh 2 and singles to Matthew Welten, Alan Thornhill and Ashley Beckwith.

Seniors

This would be a tougher assignment for the home side as their opponents had done some handy recruiting over the Summer whilst the Cats went into the game without coach Ben Haynes.
The scene was set for a huge game with Mount Evelyn fielding a new look line up and the Cats missing a host of premiership players. Mount Evelyn had bad memories of this ground  from last year when the Cats booted a record 44 goals in round 18. And the game started just as it finished off last year with Gary Moorcroft marking and kicking truly early in the game. But a similar result was not on the cards this time around with the visitors gaining control in the first term. Despite having all the play in the first quarter Mount Evelyn were squandering their chances as they kicked 3.8 for the term to Silvan's 3.3. The 2nd quarter saw the visitors again take control only this time they were kicking straight. If not for "Dizzy", Biss and Sweater in defence and Jake and Bully in the guts, the reigning premiers would've been in real strife. Gary and Harty were both making the most of their chances but they weren't getting enough supply as Mount Evelyn booted 7 goals to 3 in the quarter to hold a 23 point lead at the main break.
Things got worse for Silvan early in the 3rd as Mount Evelyn continued to apply scoreboard pressure and increase their already handy lead. An undisciplined act saw a Mount Evelyn player sent from the ground giving the Cats a glimmer of hope as we found ourselves in an unusual position, 40 points down in the third quarter. The Cats found a spark as young Paul Lister goaled as did Weatherley and by the time the 3 quarter time siren sounded, we had got to within 21 points. The last term saw Hartman swing into action booting a timely goal as the margin was narrowed again. Halfway through the last, Silvan, through Hartman and Moorcroft had increadibly recaptured the lead and looking the goods. But just as quickly as Silvan hit the front, the visitors fought back and booted two goals to grab back an 11 point lead. With only 5 minutes remaining, Mount Evelyn's nemesis Gary Moorcroft snapped a brilliant goal from the boundary and Hartman dribbled another through making it 3 for the quarter for him. Silvan somehow snuck out to a 7 point lead as the siren sounded to end what was a great game of football. The reigning Premiers had got out of jail and somehow taken out a remarkable victory and extended the unbeaten run to 23 succesive victories, our last loss coming in the 2007 second semi final. Mount Evelyn were gallant in defeat and probably should've had the game sown up in the first half. But the Cats showed some great fighting spirit coming back from an almost impossible position to retain the Councillors Cup. A special mention to Marc Bullen who was judged best on ground and receiving the Harrison Medal for his efforts.
Final Scores: Silvan 17.14.116 Defeated Mount Evelyn 15.19.109
Goals: Gary Moorcroft 9, Brett Hartman 4, Owen Weatherley 2 and singles to David Gillespie and Paul Lister.
Best Players: Marc Bullen, Gary Moorcroft, David Gillespie, David Bissels, Brett Hartman, Dean Carswell.