North Adelaide are free to play in the 2018 SANFL grand final after a tribunal slapped them with a paltry punishment for having 19 players on the field during their preliminary final win over Woodville-West Torrens.
The Roosters booked a spot in the big dance with a five-point win over the Eagles, but were found to have an extra player on the field during part of the last quarter.
Woodsville Torrens-West told an official but couldn't get the message to the captain to organise a head count by the time the extra player had come off the field.
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“I was the runner on the day, I looked over to their bench and only (saw) two players on their bench,” Eagles chief executive Luke Powell told FIVEaa.
“We knew that (Aidan) Tropiano was the one who was hurt and went down injured, but he was actually on the ground, so that’s when probably my ears pricked up and from then on, I had a look and I could only see two and that’s the time I went to the fourth umpire and official.
“At that time, there was a North Adelaide player running off the ground.”
After a five-hour deliberation, retired Supreme Court judge the Hon. Michael David QC deemed North Adelaide's actions to be ''grossly negligent'', however the club was only handed a $10,000 fine and docked four premiership points next season.
“In accordance with the SANFL Constitution, Rules and Regulations, the SA Football Commission resolved that the matter be referred to the independent SANFL Tribunal for determination,” the SANFL said in a statement.
“In accordance within the SANFL Constitution, Rules and Regulations, the decision is unable to be challenged or appealed.”
Woodville West-Torrens are unable to appeal the result at the tribunal, meaning the Roosters will play Norwood in the grand final this weekend.
The matter could still head to court, with AFL commentator Gerard Whately pointing out that the result would be overturned at AFL level, possibly giving the Eagles legal ground to stand on.
The Eagles returned to training this week and prepared as if they were playing, however the result at the tribunal may kick off the end of season celebration earlier than they had hoped.
