Ineligible player costs Old Xaverians grand final spot
Old Xaverians were disqualified from the grand final one day after winning their preliminary final.
Old Xaverians U19 men's team won their Victorian Amateur Football Association preliminary final against St Kevin's by five points on Saturday. At three-quarter-time, they had been two points behind.
The next day, the VAFA disqualified them. After looking into what happened, they found the team had used an ineligible player in that match.
Under VAFA rule 50, the club loses all matches where the ineligible player played. The other team gets the win.
St Kevin's will now face Old Brighton in this week's grand final instead. The VAFA did not say why the player was ineligible.
Old Xaverians had beaten minor premiers Old Brighton just four weeks earlier. They would have fancied their chances in the decider.
- 5 points
- Preliminary final winning margin
- One day
- Time to disqualification
- VAFA rule 50
- Rule applied
Why it mattersA team's grand final dream was erased overnight by a rule breach. This raises questions about how the league checks who can play.
AustraliaVictorian amateur footy competitions have been marked by eligibility controversies this year; the VAFA's handling of this case may affect how clubs prepare rosters.
Corroborated by7news.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 10 d ago
