Country footy: Heath Shaw withdraws from appearance with GVL club Benalla

An AFL premiership player has been forced to withdraw from a guest appearance with a struggling country club because of the implications it meant for his EDFL side.

A former AFL star has been barred from making a guest appearance for a struggling country club as it would have attracted a points penalty for his EDFL side.

Heath Shaw was supposed to play for Goulburn Valley league outfit Benalla on Good Friday in a one-off appearance against Tatura.

The Saints made headlines in the off-season as they launched a desperate plea for new players after a large number of last season’s playing group moved on.

AFL Victoria confirmed Shaw, who plays for East Keilor, and has already been assigned five player points this season would be given an additional point for the remainder of the EDFL season if he played for Benalla.

He lodged two clearances during the weekend but both were denied on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In a Facebook post, Benalla said Shaw would still make the trip to the town and act as the team’s runner for the day.

“Benalla Saints are very disappointed to announce that unfortunately Heath Shaw is unable to play today as planned,” the GVL club said in a statement.

“Heath is currently registered to East Keilor in the EDFL. East Keilor was going to be penalised with Heath attracting an additional player point which is unworkable with their current senior list points.

Heath Shaw was forced to withdraw from his appearance with Benalla. Photo: AAP

“The EDFL unfortunately could not see the value in what Benalla and Heath were trying to do for country football so we were left with no other option.

“The AFL has tried all week to assist to no avail.”

EDFL manager of senior football and netball Pauline Leslie confirmed on Friday morning that she had spoken to AFL Victoria to confirm an additional point would be added to Shaw.

She described the comments from Benalla as “unfair”.

Leslie said East Keilor and the league would have been happy to support Shaw’s one-off country appearance.

In their opening two EDFL Premier Division games, the Cougars have used their full allocation of 46 points with Shaw the only five-point player.

Shaw will also take part in an sportsman’s night on Friday alongside former AFL player agent Ricky Nixon.

In a social media post, Nixon labelled the decision to not allow Shaw to play as “absolutely pathetic”.