Sunraysia: Robinvale-Euston salary cap penalties appeal dismissed

Robinvale-Euston has learnt the fate of its appeal against a big fine and loss of premiership points for a salary cap bust.

Robinvale-Euston has lost its appeal against penalties handed for a salary cap bust last year when it finished runner-up in the Sunraysia league.

The club appealed on the grounds that an error of law had been made in arriving at a guilty verdict and the sanction including a fine of $15,000 and the loss of 12 premiership points was manifestly excessive.

Robinvale-Euston will also have six less player points in 2025.

“Based on the detail provided by both parties to the appeal, the appeal board was not satisfied that there was an error of law that had a material impact on the decision and or that the sanction imposed was manifestly excessive,” an AFL Sunraysia Commission statement said.

“As such, the appeal has been dismissed.”

Under AFL Victoria rules the appeal board is not compelled to provide reason for its decision that was released on Friday.

The penalties were handed down in early July with Robinvale-Euston recording a win and a loss while the appeal was mounted.

It is sitting fifth on the ladder and expected to play finals after beating sixth-placed Merbein last round.

The Sunraysia league changed to a top-five this season.

Robinvale-Euston was initially fined $11,500 for failing to lodge a player declaration, gain signatures of non-declared players and providing full and free access to records.

An amount of $5000 was suspended pending compliance with the salary cap until June 30 next year.

The appeal outcome brings to a conclusion the audits taken of every team that made a grand final in country footy in 2023.

Robinvale-Euston was found guilty of breaking the salary cap by $9650.