AFL Victoria can confirm that Williamstown FC has provided notification it will lodge a Notice of Appeal pursuant to the VFL Rules on AFL Victoria’s decision last week to allow either Ben McEvoy or Ryan Shoenmakers (but not both) to play for the Box Hill Hawks in this Sunday’s VFL preliminary final against Williamstown.
After considering a submission from Hawthorn FC, AFL Victoria notified Williamstown FC last Friday that should they win through on Sunday, one of these two players would be given permission to play for the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL Preliminary Final against the Williamstown FC the following weekend (this Sunday).
This approval was provided under VFL Rule 20.8* with due consideration of the competition, all clubs and players involved, including the fact Hawthorn agreed that Jon Ceglar, who played for Hawthorn last Friday night and has qualified for VFL finals, does not play for Box Hill Hawks in this weekend’s VFL Preliminary Final.
AFL Victoria believes this decision is fair and reasonable in the circumstances given the competition needs to consider the needs of VFL clubs and aligned VFL/AFL clubs, and the fact that clubs and players can be disadvantaged by the non-aligned finals series of the VFL and AFL competitions.
It should be noted that similar approval was provided last year for Hawthorn player Taylor Duryea to play for Box Hill Hawks FC in their 2013 VFL Preliminary Final, with the support at the time of the Werribee Football Club.
The Appeal will be heard by an independent Appeal Board, most likely on Wednesday evening and no further comment will be made until the matter has been heard.
* VFL Rule 20 Participation in Finals - 20.8: Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, the General Manager of AFL Victoria can deem any person eligible to play in any match.
Last Modified on 08/09/2014 14:30