Archie Wilkinson barred from finals by registration rule
VFL star Archie Wilkinson cannot play Launceston's finals because he was registered with a different club first.
Wilkinson was told by his VFL club to sign with SFL side Glenorchy to train full-time before playing for Launceston in round two. Since he was registered with Glenorchy first, not Launceston, he needed to play five games for that club to make finals.
He played none. The 24-year-old is deeply disappointed at missing Saturday's match.
Before the season, NTFA Premier League club presidents voted unanimously to remove minimum games requirements so VFL players could return for finals. But Wilkinson's registration date placed him under the old rule.
Launceston president Scott Stephens said the rule was "ridiculous in this instance," but the NTFA refused to make an exception.
- 24 years old
- Player age
- 0
- Games played for Glenorchy
- 5
- Games needed for eligibility
- November
- Contract signed
Why it mattersThe case exposes the tension between rules designed to prevent abuse and their unintended impact on players caught by technicalities beyond their control.
AustraliaTasmanian football has been losing players to other states; this ruling may add to concerns that league rules are hindering efforts to keep local talent competing at the highest level.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 21 h ago
