TWO Ballarat Football League presidents have hit out at AFL Victoria for not consulting clubs before making a rule change that will crack down on VFL footballers playing local league finals.
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North Ballarat City president Peter Carey has labelled the AFL Victoria Country rule change “nonsensical” and “amateurish”, while Sunbury president Jack Ogilvie says it will hurt the players.
The statewide rule means players who play more than 10 VFL games throughout the year will be ineligible to play finals at their home club.
It is designed to prevent players spending most of the season in the top Victorian league, only to drop back and dominate in country leagues for finals.
However, Carey said it could only have negative impacts on Ballarat Football League clubs, as well as the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL.
He said it also went against the mantra of clubs fielding their best players when available.
“There was no consultation process at all, even just two weeks before the start of the season we had heard nothing official,” he said.
“As a club, we’re not likely to be affected by this, but there are others that might.
“What if a player is about to play his 10th game for the Roosters and his club wants him to play finals? They could get in his ear to fake an injury. It would hurt the Roosters and it could turn farcical.”
The new rule would have affected two players in the 2014 Ballarat Football League finals series, with Sunbury pair Jack Sheahan and Daniel Toman both regular Bendigo Gold players.
However, since they played three home and away games for the Lions, they were able to play for Sunbury in the finals.
Sunbury president Jack Ogilvie said the AFL rule would hurt both clubs and players.
“It’s a restriction on trade for the players; I don’t think the players will be too happy with it,” he said. “What if they play 11 games, then get dropped and then they can’t play anywhere? These good-
quality footballers are losing out on playing football, as well as match payments.
“It could also stop clubs recruiting VFL players to their club.
“Nobody has called for these rules. There was nothing wrong with the system we had, and the worst part is, we were not consulted about it.”
The rule change will be reviewed at the end of the year.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
