Woodville-West Torrens writes to SANFL seeking compensation after being denied spot in grand final
WOODVILLE-West Torrens has lodged paperwork with the SANFL demanding “significant” compensation for being denied a spot in this weekend’s grand final.
WOODVILLE-West Torrens has lodged paperwork with the SANFL demanding “significant” compensation for being denied a spot in this weekend’s grand final.
The Eagles board met on Tuesday afternoon and wrote to the league later that night seeking an undisclosed sum in the wake of a controversial decision to allow its preliminary final conqueror North Adelaide to proceed to the grand final against Norwood.
This was despite the league fining the Roosters $10,000 and docking them four premiership points for next season for fielding 19 men in the last quarter of Sunday’s preliminary final.
Eagles chief executive Luke Powell would not reveal how much the club is seeking but said it was “significant”.
“We are seeking compensation for loss of income through grand final prize money and income streams from a grand final appearance and the possibility of winning, plus legal fees,” Powell said.
“It was lodged with the SANFL late last night and we will wait for a response before taking it any further.”
The winner of the grand final receives $20,000 in prizemoney and the runner-up gets $10,000.
It’s understood the sum the Eagles are seeking also includes potential uplift in membership, merchandise and functions stemming from a grand final appearance.
If the SANFL does not agree to pay the Eagles compensation the club is expected to take legal action.
“The club feels it has had something taken away from them,” Powell said.
“For members, supporters and sponsors, we have to stand up and show that we’re not going to be pushed around.
“We are a small club but there is plenty of fight in us.”
Powell said he did not know what the SANFL’s response would be but said the club’s legal advice was it was in a “very good position”.
The Eagles learnt of their fate at a tribunal hearing at Adelaide Oval late on Monday night but players did not hold a ‘mad Tuesday’ post-season get-together. They are instead expected to catch up with coaches and support staff on the weekend.
SANFL chief executive Jake Parkinson confirmed the league had received the letter from the Eagles but he would not comment while the focus was on this weekend’s grand final.
Chief executive of Sturt, which had won the past two premierships, Sue Dewing said it was difficult to quantify exactly how much money it had made but she said membership increased by nearly 400 after the 2016 flag and last year on grand final day alone merchandise sales hit $25,000.
reece.homfray@news.com.au