The Bedge wrote:Our 17.5's had the same situation - 4 or 5 kids doubling up each week. We were not allowed permits, but when we made SANFL aware that we would not have a full side, they allowed 1 permit to get us to 18 players.
I'm surprised / sceptical that they wouldn't afford the same grace to Glenunga.
As for the rule, initially frustrated, but I suspect and believe the rule came in because of clubs exploiting it - doing enough to qualify a few very talented kids for finals, then come finals loading up with those talented players.
I'm sure every team would be filthy if they rolled up to finals and suddenly the oppo had x6 guns from a development squad fronting up... especially in one of the lower divisions.
My daughter's Under 15 team experienced exactly this a couple of years back. Last round, played TTG away, beat them by 8 goals or so. 2nd week of finals played TTG, there are 5 players they've never seen before. Under 13s playing up, 3 of whom had been State players in Under 12s the previous year. Those same kids went on to dominate the GF a couple of weeks later, including one who won the medal for best on ground.
