AFL Mackay today backed a decision by itâs Permit Secretary, which will see five of the competitionâs six clubs fined, and the lose their competition points from Round 1 following several Reserve and Senior grade matches where teams fielded un-registered players.
âFollowing the introduction this year of an on-line player registration system, it has become a far easier task to check if clubs are doing the right thingâ, AFL Mackay Chairman Ian Draper said.
âPlaying un-registered players has some serious insurance and liability issues if someone were to be injuredâ, he said, âso itâs important that clubs understand the ramifications of their actions.â
Under the rules relating to playing unregistered players, clubs will face fines of $200 per unregistered player, plus the loss of competition points, for and against percentages, goal kicking figures and best and fairest votes.
âIt was a decision that wasnât easy to make, but had to be made under the circumstances. The rules are clear cut in this regardâ, he said. âThe league in past years has been guilty of not following up on these kinds of incidents, however clubs were informed that we intended to take a firmer stance this year, and we have done just thatâ, he added.
The ramifications of the decision for the senior competition will see a reversal of the Eastern Swanâs win over Bakers Creek in Round 1, plus a âdouble forfeitâ in the match between North Mackay and Moranbah.
Following this weekâs results, Whitsunday and Bakers Creek find themselves at the top of the Seniors ladder, with 2008 premiers North Mackay, Eastern Swans and Moranbah so far winless.
Last Modified on 29/06/2010 12:46