Adelaide Footy League docks one premiership point from Salisbury West after a player’s suspension
A THIRD club from the same Adelaide Footy League division has been stripped of premiership points for an on-field indiscretion.
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A THIRD club from the same Adelaide Footy League division has been stripped of premiership points for an on-field indiscretion.
The league this week docked Salisbury West one premiership point after the tribunal handed Darrell McIntyre a one-game ban for striking a Trinity Old Scholars player on Saturday.
The Tigers join fellow sixth-tier clubs Rosewater and West Croydon in losing premiership points this season.
All three clubs are on league affiliation agreements, which include the loss of premiership points for each game one of their player’s is suspended.
The tribunal found McIntyre guilty of making “negligent”, “high” contact at a “low” impact with a Trinity opponent.
Salisbury West president Frank Timpano said the offence was “very minor” but was a reminder of the club’s responsibilities.
“At the end of the day we abide by the league and the conditions that we are under,” Timpano said.
“We had a meeting last night and everyone – players, coaches, officials, support staff – is on the same page.
“We’ve made some great strides at the club and have our own sanctions and rules, which we stick by and have followed.
“It’s a slight hiccup, which will give us a reminder that we can’t slip up.”
Rosewater was docked three premiership points earlier this month after a player’s three-game striking ban, while West Croydon was stripped of three points in round four following a player’s three-game suspension for abusive language.
League chief executive John Kernahan said the Salisbury West incident “was not anything terribly offensive” but was still a breach of the club’s agreement, which was signed at the end of last season.
“What we really enjoyed as a result, and it is symbolic of what we regard as progress, is the action Salisbury West took as a club internally as a result,” Kernahan said.
“Their vice-captain Justin Davies wrote an email to their members and players and reaffirmed not only what the league’s expectations are, but the club’s expectations, which are in line with ours.
“That took real leadership and we respect that.”
Kernahan said the league would continue to sanction offending clubs to strengthen them.
“We don’t do it because we want to wack them, we do it because we want them to be central points in their respective communities using footy as the common denominator,” he said.
“The beauty of a minor offence is it can be used as a reminder of what comes following a more serious breach.
“But what is really encouraging is we’re not finding reasons to offer clubs the opportunity for an early exit from their sanction due to getting on board with league direction.
“A couple of had bumps in the road but generally there’s been a noted correction in behaviours.
“We’re taking this league forward on and off the field and those that want to come with us will be welcome and those that don’t will lament the day they didn’t read the tea leaves well enough.”
The one-point deduction drops Salisbury West, which has a 10-4 record and 19 points, to third on the division six ladder.
It is equal on points with West Croydon (11-3) but behind on percentage and six points back from unbeaten ladder leader Rosewater.