Tolland coach Chris Ayton sent just seven men into battle in a bid to protect all first graders flirting with exceeding the yellow card limit and landing an automatic suspension before the finals.

The Wolves were down to six men late in first-half, and with South Wagga up 6-1 and the game becoming increasingly farcical, the referees made the decision to call the game off at half-time.

Hull was not impressed.

“My guys expect to play a proper 90 minute game, not 45 minutes against a half-arsed team,” he said.

“Our players were pissed off, (captain) Prince (Thompson) didn’t even go on.

“From a coach’s perspective, I understand it.

“But as the same time, it’s disrespectful to us.”

Tolland co-coach Chris Ayton stood by his decision to avoid risking suspensions, adding that there were minimal reserves available and playing third graders would have rendered them ineligible to return to their regular team for finals.

“He’s entitled to his opinion,” Ayton said in response to Hull. 

“But with our card troubles and and our lack of availability, there really wasn’t much we could do.

“Last time we played them they had three red cards and that shows how heated things can get.

“We just couldn’t risk it.”

It remains unclear whether the dead rubber will be replayed or abandoned permanently.

On the adjacent pitch, Lake Albert thrashed Tumut 5-1 on the back of a Fred Gardner hat-trick.

Henri Gardner scored the first goal of the game and Justin Curran also found the back of the net, while Reece Mastellotto slotted the Eagles lone goal from a set piece.

Tumut were never headed as Lake scored twice within the first ten minutes of the game to stamp their authority on the contest early on.

Sharks coach Michael Babic said the dead rubber served as a valuable tune-up for his side, which is set to face minor premiers Henwood Park in the first round of finals action.

“We just wanted to use today to get some ball movement and touches under our belt,” he said.

“We pushed to ball around the way we wanted to and maintained possession with a focus on taking that into finals.”

Meanwhile, the Weir family enjoyed a day to remember as Junee thrashed Wagga United 5-1 at Rawlings Park.

Lincoln Weir erupted for four goals, teenager Harrison Weir also made his way onto the scoresheet and Adrian Weir played his last game for the club.

Leeton downed Young 2-1 at MIA Sports Field without the services of Adam Raso, Nick Trifogli and Luke Mandaglio.

Michael Di Lorenzo and Anthony Trifogli both scored for fourth-placed United.