An opportunity to play AFL football will be on offer for a select group of current Peter Jackson VFL players.
The AFL yesterday announced Essendon’s temporary list concessions for the 2015 NAB Challenge matches, allowing them to use players from their VFL list and also use players from other State League teams to enable them to field a side.
This will mean a number of current VFL players could be called upon by Essendon to play for the Bombers in their three NAB Challenge matches against: St Kilda in Morwell on March 7, GWS at Spotless Stadium on March 13 and Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on March 20.
The AFL Commission formally delegated power to General Counsel, Andrew Dillon to oversee and to implement further changes for the AFL home and away season in the event of suspensions arising from the Anti-Doping Tribunal hearing.
In the event of suspensions from the Tribunal impact on the Premiership Season, the Commission gave power to the General Counsel to determine ongoing list concessions, based on the principle that there should be no undue disadvantage to the other clubs arising from the changes.
In principle, the Commission agreed that:
- The Essendon FC may sign temporary playing contracts with any player not currently on an AFL list but who have been on an AFL list in the last two seasons;
- With the exception of their own VFL listed players, Essendon FC is restricted to signing a maximum of two players from any club.
Dillon does have the power to agree to exceptions to these guidelines, but only in the circumstance that it does not unfairly disadvantage any other club.
The AFL will continue to work with Essendon and the AFLPA to ensure appropriate terms and conditions for the temporary players including minimum payments and provisions for injury, insurance and medical.
Dillon said that the package of concessions and policy recommendations signed off by the Commission would allow the Essendon Football Club to field a team during the NAB Challenge, allows them to enact a contingency in the event that players are suspended for the Premiership Season, and was a suitable outcome for the competition.
“This is a reasonable and sensible package of concessions that recognises the unprecedented situation facing our competition, does not unfairly disadvantage other clubs, and allows Essendon to field a team,” Dillon said.
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Last Modified on 17/02/2015 15:54
