Confusion over a hyphenated name has cost Rutherglen four premiership points and a $500 fine for a breach of the player point system.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cats’ round two victory against Mitta United at Eskdale was reversed with an AFL North East Border (NEB) investigation revealing they exceeded the maximum of 40 points by two.
The case was considered by the AFL NEB commission meeting on Wednesday, which found the club was in breach of the policy when the team was selected, including a player who had been applied the incorrect points value by the club
Rutherglen’s $500 fine is fully suspended until the end of the 2019 season, while their score was reduced to zero, which will be reflected on the ladder for both teams competing on the day.
“In imposing the penalties, the AFL NEB commission acknowledge the nature of the breach and the honesty of the Rutherglen Football Netball Club, however, recognise that consistency is required in the application of penalties,” AFL NEB regional general manager John O’Donohue said.
“AFL NEB acknowledged the invaluable work of the club volunteers and the unfortunate position the breach creates, however, believe that the integrity of the player point system is paramount.”
The confusion relates to Josh Warren, who is also known by many people in the sporting fraternity as Josh Warren-Marmo.
He was registered last year with the hyphenated name.
However, the player himself has never officially been called Warren-Marmo, the latter which is his mother’s maiden name.
He registered himself this year as Josh Warren and when a Rutherglen official saw no playing history under that name, thought he was an automatic two pointer.
However, Josh is a four pointer, hence the two-point discrepancy.
“I’ve got AFL Victoria’s details and we’ll certainly see what’s involved, we think its (the penalties) pretty harsh for what’s a simple mistake,” Cats’ president Greg Lumby said.