MID GIPPSLAND FL
The outcome of the Mid Gippsland Football League’s Yarragon and Hill End match is in question, after the victorious Panthers were found to have one player too many on the park at the start of the final term of Saturday’s round eight encounter.
Mid Gippsland Football League secretary Rod Lucas said the matter was being investigated by the league with an adjudication to come.
Yarragon’s Ben Damschke and Hill End’s Matt Coutts were sent off just prior to three-quarter-time, but the Panthers returned to the field for the final term with a full complement of 18 before the 15 minute expulsion period had elapsed.
The umpires converged on the centre of the ground to discuss the head count about a minute into the term, and there was additional drama when play resumed prematurely and a behind was kicked prior to the goal umpires returning to their post.
The score was called back, and ultimately no points were added while the extra player was on.
In previous seasons the penalty for too many players on the park was a full score wipe, but a recent change to laws of the game has mitigated this possibility.
The umpires submitted a report to the MGFL for consideration.
The league is set to stage a meeting on Wednesday night.
Yarragon won the match by 11 points.
