Footy Chick wrote:When you look at the legalities, I'm not sure they could overturn it.
1) The rule specifically states that the captain or acting captain must alert the on-field field umpire and request the count - this didn't happen. The boundary rider alerting the interchange steward or the 4th umpire isn't an official request for a head count, which is why nothing would've been done. SO calling for the 4th umpires head is stupid
Biggles and Roo carrying on this morning about how it isn't the captains problem to be doing this stuff. Fairly clueless remarks from both, considering the amount of games they've played between them.
Yes but as some astute poster indicated before, rule 5.5.1 indicates that "the" field umpire is requested to count the players. The rules may define "the" field umpire as the senior umpire, however if they do not then there could be an argument mounted that the rules are outdated. What cant be argued is that:
There are meant to be 18 players on the field, and the team who has more has a distinct advantage.
Norf had the advantage which was realised for a full 5 minutes (17% of a quarter) at which point North had the play advantage and converted this on the score board.
Godden has stated that they could not find how North were finding the loose player
The Eagles realised that there was an extra player and bought it to the attention of the 4th umpire.
The captain did not make the request for a count, hence could not invoke the count procedure
Of the above, if the rules are interpreted as being outdated or lacking, the least of concern is the captain asking for a count.
Footy Chick wrote:2) Umpires signed off on the card afterwards
No point in crying about it after the fact if you didn't follow the correct procedure to have the infringement rectified in the first place.
If they do overturn it, the Rooster will probably cop a massive fine from the SANFL to make up for the tickets that no-one will now buy
I agree, the result should stand but the fact is Norf have cheated, whether it was on purpose or inadvertent, they have cheated. Sure the Eagles had a big lead an blew it, but they fought back and deserved to win it because the 8 points that North scored they did with an unfair advantage.