Player points bungle quashed
AFL Barwon has quashed concerns over a possible player points bungle involving star Barwon Heads recruit Mitch Phelps.
Some clubs had raised concerns over the points allocation to the BFL’s leagueleading goalkicker, who arrived at the Seagulls as a sixpoint player but has been playing as a five.
But AFL Barwon operations manager Michael Limb quickly put the issue to bed yesterday, revealing Barwon Heads was granted a one-point reduction for Phelps.
“All clubs have the opportunity to request special consideration for a points reassessment, which Barwon Heads did, and the commission granted it on appeal and they gave him a one point reduction,” Limb said.
“We’ve had quite a number of requests for reassessments for personal reasons, which are confidential, and they’re judged on their merits.
“With this one, while the points committee initially didn’t grant it, the club has the grounds to appeal it and in this instance the commission felt it was appropriate to grant the reduction.”
Limb was unable to disclose the reasons for the reduction, but said the commission deemed it appropriate.
Phelps, who crossed from Ballarat Football League club Redan, had gained points by moving clubs in recent seasons.
“He came from a premier competition, which carries an extra point, so that brings him up to four and he’d been to three clubs in three years and was a best-and-fairest,” Limb said.
“So that made him a sixpoint player.”