VSDCA makes call on Ivanhoe and Brunswick player points appeals
Subbies clubs Ivanhoe and Brunswick have had their say after the VSDCA and Cricket Victoria finalised the messy player points saga.
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The VSDCA has made a call on its messy player points saga.
Cricket Victoria last week confirmed the decision to assign Louis Cameron as a four-point player, denying Brunswick’s appeal.
The former Victoria and Essendon paceman was mistakenly allocated three points before the error was brought to the VSDCA’s attention after Round 2.
On Tuesday night, the Subbies board rebuffed Ivanhoe’s protest over it’s Round 3 loss to the Wicks when Cameron was given permission to continue playing as a three-pointer.
The Saints arguing the VSDCA board allowed Brunswick to play despite it’s selected XI being in violation of the player points cap.
Subbies chairman Phil O’Meara said Cricket Victoria’s head of association and club support, Paul Milo, had adjudicated on the appeals.
“The Ivanhoe scenario was heard last night, that won’t go to a hearing.
“Paul Milo said we had the right to do what we did – make Louis Cameron three points for the game against Ivanhoe.
“It was only because of the timing factor, it was Friday morning when Brunswick got the letter about Louis Cameron and they’d already selected the side.
“I told (Ivanhoe president) Mark Dixon that Louis Cameron would be three points that week until it went to a hearing (and) Cricket Victoria has agreed with the ruling.
“It was an honest mistake and I think we were fair.”
Cameron took match-best figures of 4-22 as Brunswick won the match at Gillon Oval by eight wickets.
Ivanhoe president Mark Dixon lashed the VSDCA, saying the league had failed to move with the times.
“We’re not surprised but we are disappointed,” he said.
“I noticed some commentary suggesting it was unfair to Brunswick because they only got a letter on Friday, I think it’s embarrassing that it took 48 hours to tell Brunswick Louis Cameron had been allocated four points.
“It’s 2021, surely we should be using mobile phones or email and not relying on courier pigeons and telegrams.”
Dixon said he believed Brunswick made an error in registering Cameron but the league had now set a dangerous precedent for clubs.
“We’re looking at what we can do, we don’t believe the process has been handled correctly,” he said.
“It wasn’t forwarded to an investigation and the board basically rubber stamped a mistake they’ve made.
“It’s about the integrity of the rules … it’s a dangerous precedent moving forward.
“Does everyone put all their players in as one-pointers next year and try and bluff the competition.
“I believe Brunswick did make a mistake but what does the precedent set, every club will claim they’ve made a mistake, and there’s no consequences.”
Brunswick was without Cameron for Saturday’s loss to Coburg due to work commitments, easing the pressure on its points squeeze.
Wicks cricket director Tim Lumsden said the club would accept Cricket Victoria’s ruling.
“We’re moving on, we accept the decision and move on,” he said.
Combined with an appeal by South group power Brighton and the club’s decision to play with only 10 players in the opening two games, it’s been a tough opening month for the VSDCA.
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As a result the Subbies board will conduct a full review in the new year, O’Meara suggesting there would be major changes.
“Cricket Victoria has offered their expertise, we’re going to invite eight presidents and a couple of board members reviewing all our systems,” he said.
“Are we doing the right things? Does one game constitute a full season? If a Premier cricketer misses a season or two should that be counted? We only count it if they have three seasons off.
“I think some of our rules regarding points will be changed completely.”
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