In a blow that could cost the Pigeons thousands, AFL Victoria revealed yesterday that the former Carlton superstar was ineligible to play against Lavington on Easter Sunday due to a lingering one-week suspension from his stint with Casey Scorpions in the VFL.

Despite serving the one-week ban for striking with Waratahs in the Northern Territory over the summer, AFL Victoria communications officer Anthony Stanguts said yesterday Fevola still had to serve his suspension in a Victorian league.

“According to the rules and regulations it must be served in Victoria,” Stanguts said.

“The Northern Territory league has the option of enforcing the ban, as they do with any player that goes up there, but it must be served again during the winter in a Victorian league.”

Although Fevola’s absence would take a considerable chunk out of the monster crowd expected at Mulwala, Yarrawonga president Glenn Brear was coy when contacted by The Border Mail late yesterday.

“It’s all in hand at our end,” said Brear, who would not comment any further.

With a number of leagues, including the VFL, commencing prior to the start of the Ovens and Murray season, the option of clearing the star goalkicker to another club for a week to serve the ban had been mooted in some circles.

However, a technicality looks set to derail that possibility.

Under AFL Victoria’s rules and regulations, a suspended player may be cleared to another club, however he cannot be cleared back for at least 28 days.

Casey plays its first game on March 24, 15 days before the Pigeons’ annual blockbuster at Lonsdale Reserve on April 7.

Fevola, who booted nine goals for the Tahs in their 99-point elimination final defeat on Saturday, was under the impression he was free to play for the Pigeons in round 1 when contacted yesterday.