Axle Rose wrote:Well it appears a decision has been reached with MV U18's having their premiership stripped from them and being fined. The club takes responsibility for what appears a complete misunderstanding of the rules. Like stated earlier by ASERT, the club was under the impression the lad could play whilst the B Grade was still playing, backed up by the fact he was not selected for the 2nd final, after the b grade won their first final, earning the week off. Rules are rules, and they were broken regardless of the misunderstanding.
What is an absolute crock of s#!t, is the fact that the league appears to have awarded the premiership to cove. What do Edwardstown and Brighton think about this decision? Pretty sure if Brighton had been given the opportunity, they would have been a real chance at beating cove, given the fact they had beaten them during the year.
Whilst MV will accept their part of the responsibilty, the league seems to have accepted none of the responsibilty for the fact the lad played in 2 previous finals unqualified, with nothing said. Surely, with all the technology these days, it would be an easy thing to avoid if things were done properly.
Example: A MV B grader was suspended in the preliminary final and couldnt play the GF. When the team manager put the GF team in on the thursday night, that players name had been taken from the available list of players to choose from, making it impossible for him to be chosen. Why cant this process be applied to all unqualified players? Too much work maybe? Too hard maybe? Well its time the league took some responsibility and got the right people in the right places so things like this dont happen again. It is embarrasing for everyone involved, not to mentioned absolultely shattering for the players.
As embarrasing as it is, the right decision would surely be to make this years U18 comp a no result. Nothing against the cove side but they are not the only team involved.
Once again, MV accept responsibilty and the penalty. Its about time the league did too.
Stupid rule. If the kid is under 18 but good enough to play at a higher grade and the higher grade does not make the finals, he should be able to drop back to the 18's, even if he's only played a couple of matches with them. So much for development. I know this rule isn't the case in the Gsfl & Rmfl.