WILLIAMSTOWN will appeal AFL Victoria's decision to allow ineligible Hawthorn ruckman Ben McEvoy to play for Box Hill in the VFL second preliminary final this Sunday, labelling the move "absolutely outrageous".
AFL Victoria notified Williamstown and its semi-final opponent Werribee last Friday that if Hawthorn defeated Geelong in its AFL qualifying final that night it would grant the Hawks' VFL affiliate, Box Hill, permission to play either McEvoy or Ryan Schoenmakers in this Sunday's second preliminary final, despite the fact neither Hawk had played the minimum six VFL games required to play finals.
Both McEvoy and Schoenmakers played five VFL games this season, and it is understood Hawthorn intended to play McEvoy against Williamstown this Sunday.
Williamstown general manager Brendan Curry told AFL.com.au on Monday morning that the Seagulls had informed AFL Victoria they would be appealing the McEvoy decision.
"It's absolutely outrageous that an unqualified player would be given permission to play in a VFL final," Curry said.
"We got told on Friday that AFL Victoria had made the decision. We weren't part of any of the discussions, we weren't given an opportunity for that.
"We look forward to playing Box Hill. They're a great side, they're the reigning premiers, they're going to be chock full of talent.
"But we don't think we should be playing against anyone who's unqualified."
Curry said the decision to allow Hawthorn to field an ineligible player for Box Hill was "unfair" given the state league teams of other AFL finalists such as Fremantle and Geelong were not playing in their respective finals competitions.
Last year, AFL Victoria gave permission to Hawk Taylor Duryea to play for Box Hill in its preliminary final against Werribee.
Like McEvoy, Duryea had not played the minimum six VFL games required to be eligible to play finals, but Werribee consented to the decision.
Williamstown is expected to lodge the official paperwork confirming its appeal on Monday afternoon, with the appeal most likely to be heard on Wednesday night by the VFL's independent appeals tribunal, which is chaired by Ian Hill QC.
AFL Victoria released a written statement on Monday afternoon defending its decision.
"This approval was provided under VFL rule 20.8 with due consideration of the competition, all clubs and players involved, including the fact Hawthorn agreed that Jon Ceglar, who played for Hawthorn last Friday night and has qualified for VFL finals, does not play for Box Hill Hawks in this weekend's VFL preliminary final," the statement said.
"AFL Victoria believes this decision is fair and reasonable in the circumstances given the competition needs to consider the needs of VFL clubs and aligned VFL/AFL clubs, and the fact that clubs and players can be disadvantaged by the non-aligned finals series of the VFL and AFL competitions."
Prior to the 2012 VFL season, there was no minimum games requirement set for finals eligibility when an AFL club and its VFL affiliate were both playing finals.
It is understood the six-game qualification mark was introduced to prevent VFL teams from stacking their finals teams with AFL-listed players.
Box Hill general manager Paul Barnard told AFL.com.au Williamstown's appeal was a matter between the Seagulls and AFL Victoria.
"There was an adjudication last week under the provision of the finals qualification and the adjudication was for Ben McEvoy to play this week. Effectively, that's all we know," Barnard said on Monday.
"I've spoken to AFL Victoria this morning and while Williamstown absolutely have the right to appeal that adjudication, my understanding of rule 20.8 is that it's under the discretion of the general manager (of AFL Victoria).
"It's nothing to do with us, it's basically Willy versus the VFL."
