AFLNT received a complaint about fly-in player breaches from an NTFL club

An NTFL club filed the complaint that found a rival team in breach of the league’s fly-in rules by three players in Round 9. Read the fallout from the penalty.

An NTFL club was concerned up to six fly-in players were used in the Round 9 match at Freds Pass.

The NT News understands a complaint was filed after the alleged breach in the Round 9 match between Southern Districts and Palmerston at Norbuilt Oval.

The club had concerns that up to five fly-in players were used in the Round 8 match against St Mary’s, and six in the Round 9 fixture.

An NTFL club raised concerns that five fly-in players were used against St Mary's in Round 8. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media.

Former AFL players Mathew Stokes, Gary Ablett Jr and Cameron Pedersen played against St Mary’s while Palmerston also called in Neville Jetta, Eddie Betts and Ben Nason for the clash against Southern Districts.

The Magpies were fined $10,000 for breaching the league’s fly-in rules in both games, which have since been declared forfeits.

Only three fly-in players are allowed per game.

However, the league has not named how many fly-in players were used in either clash.

A league spokeswoman said it had no further comment to add and the investigation was complete.

Palmerston Football Club has been contacted for comment.

In an earlier statement, the club said it accepted its penalty.

“The club accepts that it did not do enough to ensure that all our players met the by-laws in these two rounds,” the club said.

“It is difficult to manage a dynamic situation when players’ circumstances can suddenly change.”

Palmerston fined $10,000 for breaching fly-in rules

Palmerston Football Club has been fined $10,000 and docked four competition points for breaching fly-in player by-laws.

Under NTFL rules, no more than three fly-in players are permitted to play in a Men’s Premier League or Reserves match.

The Magpies were found to have breached the rules during Round 8 and 9 matches: a loss against St Mary’s and a win over Southern Districts.

AFL legend Gary Ablett Jr, along with former Geelong teammate Mathew Stokes and ex-Melbourne big man Cameron Pedersen, played against the Saints at TIO Stadium.

However, AFLNT has not named the offending players who contributed to the breaches.

Both games are now considered forfeits.

It comes nearly a year after St Mary’s and Nightcliff received suspended fines for breaching the fly-in rules in a Division 1 clash in January this year.

Gary Ablett Jr made his NTFL debut on November 18. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Saints were also slugged $11,500, coach Anthony Vallejo missed four Men’s Premier League games and the Green Machine deducted four competition points from the beginning of the 2021-22 season, for breaching the rules in February 2021.

Crocs have now shot to the top of the NTFL Men’s Premier League ladder – after being awarded Palmerston’s four competition points – after the league’s decision while the Magpies have slipped to fifth.

In a statement, AFLNT said Palmerston had “co-operated fully”, taken ownership of their breaches and taken measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

In a further statement, the club said it did not do enough to ensure “all our players met the by-laws in these two rounds”.

“It is difficult to manage a dynamic situation when player’s circumstances can suddenly change,” the club said.

“We accept that we need to be more vigilant to protect the integrity of the by-laws in this area.

“We are committed to creating opportunities for local talented players and to building the competitiveness of the Magpies on the field.

“We did not get it right on this occasion and we must try harder as we strive for success.”

Originally published as AFLNT received a complaint about fly-in player breaches from an NTFL club