Nightcliff Tigers to be deducted points for breaching NTFL fly-in rule
An NTFL club has been handed some severe penalties, which will have big finals implications, after being found to have breached the fly-in player rule. Read the latest.
Northern Territory
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The Nightcliff Tigers’ hopes of finishing in the NTFL top three have been put in jeopardy after an investigation was launched into a potential fly-in player rule breach.
Nightcliff were set to finish the Men’s Premier League in second spot ensuring a finals double chance, but may now have to do it the hard way with two wins taken from them.
NTFL clubs are not to have more than three fly-in player per game, and each club cannot have more than eight per season.
A fly-in player is defined as a player who has not established permanent residence in the Territory before December 31 in the year the competition commences.
An AFLNT investigation found more than three fly-in players were used during Nightcliff’s Round 13 and 14 matches against St Mary’s and PINT.
Nightcliff will be deducted two games, meaning they have been dropped to fifth position, setting up an elimination final match with Waratah.
The club will forfeit premiership points, percentage, player allocations and any accolades associated with the victories in Round 13 and Round 14 for both the Men’s Premier League and Men’s Premier League Reserves.
The Nightcliff Football Club has been issued a fine of $10,000, while head coach Leigh Crossman will face a two match suspension.
An AFLNT spokeswoman said the NTFL “remains committed to upholding the integrity of the competition and ensuring that all clubs adhere strictly to established by-laws”.
“The Nightcliff Football Club has been notified of these sanctions and retains the right to appeal the decision in accordance with NTFL procedures,” she said.
“The NTFL has offered to provide the support needed to ensure further breaches do not occur.
“The investigation is complete and AFLNT and the NTFL will make no further comment at this time.”
Nightcliff president Mark Dodge said the club had always ensured it worked and acted within the rules set out by the AFLNT.
“We are and have always acted within the AFLNT rules and regulations,” he said.
“Particularly around fly-in and relocated players.
“We are committed to ensuring our competition and our players stay within the rules.
“We will be appealing the decision in due course.”
The Palmerston Magpies were hit with a $10,000 fine and docked four competition points for breaching the rule in Round 8 and 9 of the 2022-23 season.
Southern Districts were hit with a similar sanction later that same season after they named a player on their Division 2 sheet who didn’t play to potentially gain a player point advantage.
It impacted the start of their 2023-24 Premier League season with their player point allocation reduced by two points per match.
Further back St Mary’s were hit with a four point deduction at the start of the 2021-22 season for a breach in the qualifying final of the 2020-21 season.
Their coach Anthony Vallejo was also banned for four matches while they were fined $10,000 as well.
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Originally published as Nightcliff Tigers to be deducted points for breaching NTFL fly-in rule
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