Goulburn Valley FL: Echuca stripped of points for playing ineligible players

A major controversy has erupted in the Goulburn Valley league with a premiership contender stripped of points from its big first round victory.

ECHUCA will mount an appeal against the “farcical” call to strip the club of points from first round victories for playing ineligible players despite the Goulburn Valley league powerhouse self-reporting the issue which led to the tough penalties being imposed.

The four premiership points from big wins at senior and reserves level were handed to opponent Rochester late last week by the GVFNL in consultation with AFL Victoria Country Football Manager John O’Donohue.

An investigation found senior player Matthew Lias and reserves player Toby Hore were not cleared by their former clubs.

But they were listed on team sheets for round one without any red flags being raised by a new player registration and administrative system, PlayHQ, which has been widely condemned since its introduction this year.

Matthew Lias in action for Echuca against Rochester in round one. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Echuca president Ash Byrne said the penalty was too heavy handed given the difficulties being experienced with PlayHQ by volunteers returning to their roles after two Covid-ruined seasons.

“It’s farcical that they’ve taken the points off us,” he said.

“Our presumption was that they had been cleared to play because there was no system restriction on the PlayHQ system of them being entered on the team sheet.

“Historically a player could not be registered on a team sheet unless a clearance had been granted.

“As soon as we became aware of the issue we notified the league.

“That penalty just impacts our whole club.

“All for an unintentional mistake.”

The Weekly Times has sought comment from the Goulburn Valley league.

Echuca won the senior match by 53 points and the reserves clash by 117.

Byrne said it was “atrocious” for the GVFNL board to endorse the decision to strip his club of premiership points and also fine them a combined $10,000, suspended until the end of 2023.

“I’d like to think based on the reaction from the public right across the whole state and nation about the penalty they have imposed on us they would reconsider,” he said.

“We’re a good club and always trying to do the right thing and then be whacked like this is quite unbelievable.”

Echuca won its second round match against Euroa by 43 points with Lias among Echuca’s best players.