Essendon have been slapped with a $20,000 fine after naming Joe Daniher as a late change for their Good Friday clash with North Melbourne.
The tall forward was not named in the Bombers' initial 26-man squad but was brought in as a replacement for injured ruckman Zac Clarke, who was ruled out with a calf issue.
Daniher kicked two goals in his return game from a calf injury suffered in the pre-season as he attempted to recover from osteitis pubis that kept him out of most of 2018.
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Clubs are allowed to bring in late changes without sanction, though they must be named as an emergency.
The Bombers opted not to use any of their named emergencies in Kyle Langford, Aaron Francis, Brayden Ham or Sam Draper, instead going with the returning Daniher.
''The AFL wishes to advise the Essendon Football Club has been sanctioned under the AFL Player Regulations for matters surrounding the late inclusion of a player on match-day,'' an AFL statement wrote.
''Essendon was sanctioned $20,000 for the late inclusion of player Joe Daniher for the round five match against North Melbourne, played at Marvel Stadium on Friday April 19, after he had not been named in the initial team of 22 players, and four emergency players, that was submitted on Thursday April 18.
''The club was formally notified in writing today of the AFL’s decision.''
The fine is a significant increase to when Collingwood were sanctioned $5,000, half of it suspended, for bringing in the unnamed Jesse White for a match in 2016.
The original plan was to play Daniher in the VFL on Saturday, however Essendon felt they were stranded for options in the forward line.
"We notified both North Melbourne and the AFL as soon as possible and we thank them for their understanding," Bombers footy manager Dan Richardson said.
"It was our intention for Joe to play in the VFL this week.
"With injuries to McKernan and Stewart, structurally for our side today, we had to look at the key forward position so the decision was made.
"While unavoidable, the club accepts the AFL’s ruling on this decision and the financial sanction it will impose as a result."
