Dapto to fight Wallace sanction

Wallace returned from injury for their Canaries in their 26-6 win over Helensburgh in last week’s preliminary final but a review of his eligibility following the match revealed that he had met only one of two criteria to qualify for the finals.

The rules state that all players must play a minimum of four games in a season while Illawarra Cutters contracted players must play three of the last six to qualify for finals.

Having specifically sought clarification on Wallace prior to the finals, club secretary David Jones said the club based it’s belief that eligibility requirements had been met on advice from the league.

“I raised the question in August and was told directly that three games in the second half of the comp for Cutters players gets them qualified, which he did,” Jones said.

“He was injured after round 10 but attended our remaining games . Had I been advised of the four game requirement I would’ve had Blake take the field but I was of the understanding that this was not necessary as he had already qualified for the back end of the season. 

“Blake’s a Dapto junior and he’s committed 11 years to this club. I’ve known the kid since he was two years old, I’ve known his mother his father and his grandparents. To have him ruled ineligible because of a genuine misunderstanding due to the information we received, would be a tragedy.”

Illawarra Rugby League general manager Chris Bannerman said the decision to allow Wallace to play in the prelim last week was made in good faith from both parties but checks following the match showed only one of two criteria had been met.

“Given he wasn’t [initially] named in the Dapto side there were no qualification checks done prior to the game,” Bannerman said.

“Without access to records we spoke to the Dapto club before the game and they in genuine good faith insisted he was eligible and we accepted that. 

“Under their misunderstanding of the eligibility conditions they were right but that wasn’t consistent with the by-laws which were circulated to all clubs in June, and to Dapto again in August. Blake did play three games in the second half of the season but fell short on the first criteria which is a minimum of four games played.

“I’m really disappointed for Blake, he’s a sensational kid and a young bloke you can’t help but like. He’s been a really good servant to the Cutters, to Illawarra Division and he’s a Dapto junior, he’s off to Canada next year and this would be a great farewell for him and for him to miss out is devastating for him, disappointing for the club and from a league perspective we share his disappointment.

“Unfortunately it’s the board of management’s role to act in accordance with the by-laws. 

“There is a right of appeal to the board of the Illawarra District Rugby League Football Club and any appeal process will consider extenuating circumstances or other considerations that should be given to the case.”