The AFL has completed its investigation of an issue that arose during the Smithy’s Victorian Football League (VFL) Round 17 match between GWS Giants and Brisbane Lions at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday, July 16.

It was reported after the match that the Brisbane Lions had 19 players on the field for a period of time during the final quarter. In accordance with the laws of the game, a VFL club must ensure that the number of players of the club on the playing surface during a match does not exceed 18.

Upon investigating the issue, including reviewing the relevant match footage, the AFL confirms that Brisbane Lions had 19 players on field for a period of 4:19 minutes during the fourth quarter (from the 5:54 minute mark until the 10:13 minute mark).

As such, the Brisbane Lions will be sanctioned as per the following:

•    Brisbane Lions will have the score they accumulated during the fourth quarter of the match, from the commencement of the quarter up to the point the 19th player exited the playing surface (i.e. from the 0:00 minute mark until the 10:13 minute mark), removed from their total score. 

Accordingly, Brisbane Lions will have 1 goal and 3 behinds (9 points) removed from their total score, which will be adjusted to 9 goals and 13 behinds (67 points) from 10 goals and 16 behinds (76 points). The Brisbane Lions players who scored the 1 goal and 3 behinds during relevant period will not be credited with those scores in the official VFL statistics.

As such, the final score of the match is as follows:
GWS Giants 8.10 (58)
Brisbane Lions 9.13 (67)

Brisbane Lions retain the four premiership points, with both clubs’ percentages adjusted accordingly.

•    Brisbane Lions receive a fine of $1000

The AFL has advised both clubs of the outcome of the investigation, and considers the matter closed.