VICTORIAN Football League-listed players now have a greater opportunity to play country league finals after a rule change at state level.
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AFL Victoria Country has increased the number of games a footballer can play in the VFL and still be eligible for finals with his home club.
The lift to 12 matches is up from 10 when the rule was first implemented in 2015.
East Point is one club that will look to cash in on the added flexibility after being stung by the rule during last season’s finals series.
Jordan Staley had to sit out the club’s elimination final against Lake Wendouree – a one-point loss – because he had played too many games in the VFL.
The Kangaroos have just confirmed the luring of former Gold Coast Suns player Louis Herbert.
While Herbert is aligned to the Roosters, he can return to play for East Point in the Ballarat league when not required at VFL level.
Kangaroos football manager Gary Wilson said it was hoped Herbert could play at least three games in the red, white and blue during 2016.
“The more guys of his caliber playing in the BFL can only be good for the league,” he said.
Wilson said the rule change was great for the entire Ballarat competition.
“All the clubs want to see the best players playing in the finals - it just showcases the league,” he said.
Wilson said it was hoped Herbert could make his debut for the club in round three when North Ballarat has a bye.
Herbert was rookie-listed by the Suns in 2013 after starring for the North Ballarat Rebels in the under-18 TAC Cup.
He played a total of three AFL games for the Suns after making his debut in round 18 of 2014.
Herbert is joined at East Point by fellow Roosters-listed players Xavier Vearing, who has requested a transfer to the Kangaroos from Wimmera league side Ararat, and last season’s recruit Keegan Mellington, who barely had an impact for the club after suffering an early knee injury.
Wilson said he was in talks with players in the hope of securing a fourth Roosters player - the club’s limit for 2016.
“We are confident we will fill it with someone,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nick Hind has taken the next step in making his move back to Eastern Oval official by lodging his clearance from Central Highlands club Clunes.
East Point is heading into its third season under senior coach Glenn Wilkins, who took over at the helm from Dan Jordan.
Wilkins and his side finished seventh in his first year in the job before the return to finals in 2015.