Southern Districts fined and docked player points after breaching player rule

Southern Districts Football Club have been hit with a massive fine and will lose player points next season after breaching an AFLNT player rule.

The Southern Districts Football Club has been whacked with a hefty fine and will be docked player points for the 2023-24 after breaching an important law.

Districts have been fined $10,000 after they named a player on their team sheet who did not take to the field.

The breaches came in Round 17 (February 11) and 18 (February 18) of the Men’s Division 2 season, and have the potential to generate a player point advantage for the Men’s Premier League.

A player named for the club, whether at Premier League or lower divisions, will cost fewer points for that club the following season.

As a result of the indiscretion Southern Districts have copped a $10,000 fine, $5000 of which has been suspended until the end of the 2023-24 season.

The Southern Districts Division 2 side was found in breach of a player point rule when they named a player who did not play. Picture: Courtney McCabe / AFLNT Media

The Men’s Division 2 side were also given forfeits for both the Round 17 and 18 matches, against St Mary’s and Tracy Village.

However, the largest penalty for the club going forward is that for the entirety of the 2023-24 Premier League Districts’ player point allocation will be reduced by two points per match.

In the 2022-23 NTFL season clubs are allowed 16 points per match, meaning if the system stands Districts’ points will be reduced to 14.

No sanctions have been placed on the 2022-23 premier league side as the actions did not threaten the integrity of the current season.

“AFLNT and the NTFL regards integrity of the competition to be of the utmost importance,” an AFLNT spokeswoman said.

“We believe that the imposed sanctions send a clear message that such breaches will not be tolerated.”

Southern Districts are understood to have lodged a notice of appeal on the sanctions.