Lockleys stripped of Adelaide Footy League grand final spot

An Adelaide Footy League premiership favourite has lost its spot in the grand final after fielding an ineligible player – but they will get a second chance. See the club’s response.

A suburban footy club has lost its spot in a grand final and will now need to play in a preliminary this Saturday after fielding an ineligible player over the weekend.

Lockleys Football Club, which competed in division five of the Adelaide Footy League, fielded an ineligible player against Hectorville in its second semi-final last Saturday, winning by a point and booking promotion to division four and a spot in this year’s grand final.

The Demons had previously been approved a permit for the player to participate in the club’s reserves qualifying final on August 20 under the provision he would not be allowed to play A Grade again this season.

On Tuesday night, Hectorville submitted a complaint to the league regarding the player’s participation in the semi-final on August 27 and after a subsequent tribunal hearing on Wednesday it was decided Lockleys had breached the permit for him and would have its score wiped.

Lockleys Football Club has lost its spot in the division five grand final after fielding an ineligible player over the weekend. Picture: Lockleys Football Club

Lockleys – the favourite for the division five premiership having lost just one game this season – will now play a preliminary final against Gepps Cross at Elizabeth Oval this weekend while Hectorville takes its spot in the big dance.

“The conditions of granting the permit were that the player would only be eligible to play B Grade thereafter,” league chief John Kernahan said.

“The league laid a charge as per rules and regulations and Lockleys Football Club took the matter to a tribunal which also found them guilty of fielding a player ineligible to play in a match and ordered a reversal of the original result.

“We are comfortable Lockleys did not deliberately circumnavigate the rule but as we have prosecuted before, we also need to consider the aggrieved club - Hectorville - in conjunction with the integrity of the competition.”

Adelaide Footy League chief said the punishment for Lockleys was laid out in consideration of Hectorville and the integrity of the competition. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“It may appear to be a disproportionate penalty … but we believe our regulations can’t be diluted because the impact is worse due to it being either a final or a minor round match – rules are rules.”

In a statement to fans on Thursday morning, a Lockleys Football Club spokesperson said the permit breach was down to an administrative error.

“Unfortunately, an administrative error has resulted in the club inadvertently fielding an ineligible player in Saturday’s A Grade semi-final against Hectorville,” they said.

“The player in question is a registered Lockleys player who had played 10 A-Grade games in season 2022.

“As a club we stand by our value of owning our mistakes, and this is one of those moments.

“We thank the coaching group, players and committee for the support given to the matter and personnel involved.”