Ex-Magpie’s country footy team has premiership stripped over salary cap breaches

Country Victorian footy side Wangaratta, coached by former Collingwood player Ben Reid, has been stripped of their 2022 premiership.

Ovens & Murray FL, Grand Final, Wangaratta Magpies V Yarrawonga Pigeons, at Lavington Sports Grounds, the winners - Wangaratta Magpies, coach Ben Reid, 19, & captain Michael Newton, 3, Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Country footy side Wangaratta, coached by former Collingwood tall Ben Reid, has been stripped of the 2022 premiership over major salary cap breaches.

The Ovens and Murray league handed down heavy sanctions on Monday, after previous sanctions on the Magpies’ netball side were also delivered.

It was determined Wangaratta was $28,000 over the $125,000 salary cap, after a player received an extra payment which helped push the club over the limit.

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.The club also did not name all players who were paid for playing in 2022.

No replacement premier will be named. The Magpies defeated Yarrawonga 86-83 in a thrilling decider last year.

“The 2022 OMFNL Senior football premiership awarded to the Wangaratta FNC cannot be recognised due to the AFL Victoria APP Rule breach,” the league said on Tuesday.

“As such, there will be no OMFNL senior football premier declared for the 2022 season.”

Wangaratta Magpies coach Ben Reid & captain Michael Newton. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

League chairman David Sinclair said: “Whilst aware of the emotion surrounding last night’s decision, particularly to the players, volunteers and supporters of Wangaratta, the league remains committed to the allowable player payment rules and absolute integrity around this.

“Where a breach is proven, innocent mistake or otherwise, the league simply cannot award a premiership where sanctions are handed out that bring into focus the integrity of the competition.”

The Magpies had already been fined $28,000, prevented from earning premiership points in the first two games of 2023, and cut their player points to 36 from 40.

The club did not appeal the sanctions initially which were declared an administrative error.

Wangaratta is coached by former 152-game Collingwood star Ben Reid.

One of his players, Joe Richards, drew interest across the 2022 season and was picked up by Collingwood with pick 48 in the national draft late last year.

Originally published as Ex-Magpie’s country footy team has premiership stripped over salary cap breaches