Banned player Jack Gleeson causes stir after appearance at SFL Grand Final

A deregistered player has caused a stir after watching the SFL Grand Final from the coach’s box and celebrating on-field with his team after the game. Some have suggested he shouldn’t have been allowed to do either. DETAILS>>>

THE SFL has defended its decision to allow deregistered footballer Jack Gleeson to take part in Lindisfarne’s on field premiership ceremony following the Two Blues win over Cygnet on Saturday.

Last month Gleeson was deregistered from all football competitions around Australia after breaching the 15 game career suspension limit for a sling tackle on Huonville’s Matthew Coad.

As per the National Community Football Policy Handbook, Gleeson is now unable to register or take part in any football competition in Australia as neither a player nor an official.

Furthermore Gleeson was unable to take to the field or bench during Saturday’s SFL Grand Final at any time while the game was in play or the umpires were still on the ground.

But after the Two Blues 12-point win over Cygnet Gleeson was a notable figure in the postmtach presentation as premiership coach Michael Cassidy presented the Two Blues skipper with a premiership medallion before the pair posed with the team in celebration.

Josh Green, Michael Cassidy and Jack Gleeson Lindisfarne. SFL Grand Final 2022 Lindisfarne V Cygnet. Jack Gleeson did not play in the grand final. Picture: Linda Higginson

Furthermore, throughout the online broadcast it was noted that Gleeson was in a coach’s box at the venue as he watched on from the sidelines.

Gleeson’s involvement in the on ground post-match celebration and his presence in a coach’s box generated a lot of discussion on social media by pundits who believed it to be in violation of the deregistration rules.

But on Sunday SFL president Russell Young defended the incident and said no rules were breached.

“While some call it a coach’s box it was our understanding that Lindisfarne were coaching from the bench and Jack was in the box watching the game as he is allowed from anywhere else at the ground.

Jack Gleeson. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“To our understanding Jack was not wired up or anything like that and there was no communication to the bench and therefore no coaching was being done and no rules were being broken.

“As for the post-match celebrations we spoke with the TUFA [Tasmanian Football Umpires Association] during the week and we asked if they would have a problem with Jack being on the ground following the match if they were to win and were wanting to present him with a medal.

“They were fine with that and so we also spoke with Lindisfarne’s president and Michael Cassidy and they were happy with that and so again no rules were broken there either as everyone was fine with that happening.”