MRP / Trib. Jack Redpath Suspension - AFL Regulations

[TempletonTheRat]

I'm still baffled by the Jack Redpath situation and Andrew Dillion's interpretation.

Can someone who is more versed in legal matters please tell me why he was unable to play a VFL practice match last weekend.

From the article on the WB site
"Redpath was eligible to play in the JLT Community Series and the AFLX tournament, but was ineligible to play in last week’s VFL practice match, according to the AFL."

Below is the AFL Regulations in regards to suspensions - this is from the following document dated 2015 (I cannot find anything from 2017 or 2018)
s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/.../AFL%20Regulations%20-%202015.pdf


17. Suspension and Disqualification

17.1 Ineligible to Play if Suspended or Disqualified
Subject to Regulations 17.3 and 17.5, a person who is suspended or disqualified by the Commission, the Tribunal, the Appeal Board or any other League, Association or body affiliated to or recognised as being competent by the AFL, as a result of committing a Reportable Offence or otherwise, shall not play with any Club or hold any office or act in any capacity for a Club until such suspension or disqualification has expired or has been removed by the body which imposed it.

17.2 Suspension to be Served in Next Match or Matches
A Player suspended in accordance with Regulation 17.1 must serve the period of suspension commencing from the date of the next Premiership Competition Match that his Club is scheduled to play. For the avoidance of doubt, a suspension received in a Pre-Season Competition Match or Club Practice Match will be served commencing in the first round of the Home & Away Competition.

17.3 Exception – Club Practice Match
A person who is suspended or disqualified may participate in any Pre-Season Competition Match or Club Practice Match unless otherwise directed by the Commission or the body that has imposed the suspension or disqualification.

17.4 Club Practice Match
For the purposes of this Regulation 17.1, a Club Practice Match includes intra or inter-Club Matches played before the Home and Away Matches or otherwise, but specifically excludes:
(a) Home and Away Matches; and
(b) Finals Series Matches.

17.5 Suspension of Players in State League Competition
If a Player is suspended by a State Body tribunal and he is unable to serve that suspension in the State Body competition and, as a consequence, he is unable to compete in a Home and Away or Finals Series Match(s), the following shall apply:
(a) the relevant State Body shall advise the AFL of the suspension imposed on the Player by the relevant State Body tribunal; and
(b) the suspension shall be served by the Player being and remaining ineligible for selection to compete in a Home and Away Match(s), matches in the Finals Series for the period or any remaining period of the suspension.

17.6 Club that Plays Suspended Player
(a) Any Club which includes a suspended or disqualified Player in any Match shall forfeit each Match in which the Player participates.
(b) Each such Match shall be awarded to the opposing Club and if the opposing Club elects by lodging a notice in writing with the General Manager - Football Operations within 7 days from the date of the Match, the scores of both Clubs in the Match shall be ignored for all the purposes.

 

[Sentinel]

I'm honestly surprised Gordon hasn't gone all legal on them over this. There has been no real explanation from either the club or the AFL, and the articles written quote clause 17.3 which only creates more confusion around the ruling. It would be nice to have some further clarification.

Clearly Redpath was in line for selection yesterday so we will miss him. The club has said nothing publicly to challenge the ruling or explain their mistake if there was one so I hope it comes out eventually - at the moment we look like idiots.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I think the explanation somewhere I read was although the match itself was that it was a VFL practice game, it was played on the weekend that there was an AFL game being played.

So if you ignore the distinction of AFL games, VFL games or practice games or this or that, an interpret it to mean - he can play any footy in the pre-season before the AFL season begins (as he did with AFLX), but he can't play any footy for the first week of the AFL season, you can see why it happened.

But there is a great kind of irony that that original punch - which shouldn't have been a suspension, or if it did becomes a 1 week one - eventually has become a 4 week suspension.

 

[TempletonTheRat]

I think the explanation somewhere I read was although the match itself was that it was a VFL practice game, it was played on the weekend that there was an AFL game being played.

So if you ignore the distinction of AFL games, VFL games or practice games or this or that, an interpret it to mean - he can play any footy in the pre-season before the AFL season begins (as he did with AFLX), but he can't play any footy for the first week of the AFL season, you can see why it happened.

But there is a great kind of irony that that original punch - which shouldn't have been a suspension, or if it did becomes a 1 week one - eventually has become a 4 week suspension.

Thanks TNP - this was the line a few commentators were taking (although I'm not sure they are up to date on the regulations - nor do I believe they researched it).

But that does not seem to be the way the regulation is worded which is why I highlighted "or otherwise" - is it just badly worded or is it just my interpretation

 

[TiAn_]

The AFL season had started, it wasn’t the pre-season any more.

What we did was like having a guy suspended during the middle of the season and having him line up in the VFL. Clearly prohibited.

Utterly idiotic.

 

[Sharkey66]

The AFL season had started, it wasn’t the pre-season any more.

What we did was like having a guy suspended during the middle of the season and having him line up in the VFL. Clearly prohibited.

Utterly idiotic.

But it is still pre season for the VFL

 

[TempletonTheRat]

The AFL season had started, it wasn’t the pre-season any more.

What we did was like having a guy suspended during the middle of the season and having him line up in the VFL. Clearly prohibited.

Utterly idiotic.

the regulation is worded "may play in a Pre Season Competition Match OR Club Practice Match" - so is a VFL practice match not a club practice match

 

[Next Waiting]

Thanks TNP - this was the line a few commentators were taking (although I'm not sure they are up to date on the regulations - nor do I believe they researched it).

But that does not seem to be the way the regulation is worded which is why I highlighted "or otherwise" - is it just badly worded or is it just my interpretation

My interpretation is that "or otherwise" allows for the possibility that a club practice match might occur within the home and away season - over the bye week for example

the regulation is worded "may play in a Pre Season Competition Match OR Club Practice Match" - so is a VFL practice match not a club practice match

My interpretation is that 'Pre season" should be applied to both competition match and/or club practice match

 

[TempletonTheRat]

My interpretation is that 'Pre season" should be applied to both competition match and/or club practice match

This certainly seem to be the case based on the ruling applied. The punctuation/use of capitals is bad if so. And why did they then specify Home and Away Matches and Finals Series Matches?

 

[Next Waiting]

This certainly seem to be the case based on the ruling applied. The punctuation/use of capitals is bad if so. And why did they then specify Home and Away Matches and Finals Series Matches?

They are specifically excluded from being categorised as Club Practise Matches for the purpose of avoiding any ambiguity or possibility of arguing otherwise. Agree it seems superfluous but that's lawyers for ya

 

[TiAn_]

But it is still pre season for the VFL

Irrelevant.

the regulation is worded "may play in a Pre Season Competition Match OR Club Practice Match" - so is a VFL practice match not a club practice match

Not if the AFL season has started.

 

[TempletonTheRat]

Irrelevant.



Not if the AFL season has started.

ok - so what does "or otherwise" mean or why were these words even included?

 

[Yojimbo]

Clear gender discrimination in play here just as there was
last time, if Jack Redpath was a woman he would have
received a reprimand and a nice fruit basket. Would have
made sense when the team sheet was handed in that
an AFL official may have stepped in and said Redpath is
not eligible. Then again i expected a Bulldog official to
have a talk to Katie Brennan and say you have one
reprimand hanging over you and a badly injured ankle
that will effect your ability to tackle, so don't.

 

[Next Waiting]

ok - so what does "or otherwise" mean or why were these words even included?

I would say that the or otherwise is exactly what has happened. A VFL practice match is deemed to be an inter club practice match that has occurred during the AFL season and not before it.

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

Clear gender discrimination in play here just as there was
last time, if Jack Redpath was a woman he would have
received a reprimand and a nice fruit basket. Would have
made sense when the team sheet was handed in that
an AFL official may have stepped in and said Redpath is
not eligible. Then again i expected a Bulldog official to
have a talk to Katie Brennan and say you have one
reprimand hanging over you and a badly injured ankle
that will effect your ability to tackle, so don't.

Get over yourself, you are becoming boring with your constant reference to gender.

 

[flamethrower]

Bit surprised the AFL didn't double Redda's suspension.

Giving the death penalty for jay walking seems to be in vogue for sporting organisations at the moment.

 

[Some Idiot]

Clause 17.3 reads as a nice loophole that lets the AFL do as they see fit. Let's move on.

 

[Yojimbo]

Get over yourself, you are becoming boring with your constant reference to gender.

I am sorry Dogs_r_barking, if i had the initials QC after my
name instead of DH it would make it better. I will stop,
but i was offended by our stance.

 

[Testekill]

Clear gender discrimination in play here just as there was
last time, if Jack Redpath was a woman he would have
received a reprimand and a nice fruit basket. Would have
made sense when the team sheet was handed in that
an AFL official may have stepped in and said Redpath is
not eligible. Then again i expected a Bulldog official to
have a talk to Katie Brennan and say you have one
reprimand hanging over you and a badly injured ankle
that will effect your ability to tackle, so don't.

Get the **** over it you stupid ********.

 

[Testekill]

Clause 17.3 reads as a nice loophole that lets the AFL do as they see fit. Let's move on.

Because the AFL basically does what it pleases

 

[Yojimbo]

Get the **** over it you stupid ********.

Is that warranted and would i ever address you in such a
manner, i doubt it very much. Grow up buddy it is so
obviously a piss take. Never mind i will take a seven
day break from posting, at the very minimum.

 

[JJHunter]

Is that warranted and would i ever address you in such a
manner, i doubt it very much. Grow up buddy it is so
obviously a piss take. Never mind i will take a seven
day break from posting, at the very minimum.

When u come back can you work out
Why
Sometimes
Your sentences jump to the next line
And only
Leave

One or two
Or three
Words on a line ?

 

[dogwatch]

Get the **** over it you stupid ********.

Chill...

 

[lachy]

Need a few more closed sessions for training to hide suspended players

 

[immortalmike]

Get over yourself, you are becoming boring with your constant reference to gender.

Get the **** over it you stupid ********.

This board is a cesspit when a shitty joke gets this sort of reaction.
It doesn't take much to scroll past and leave well enough alone. Instead you've chased someone else off. Poor form, especially from you Testekill who's better than this.