The Bombers ensured late-season signings Curtis Allen and Fred Sleeth were eligible for finals by twice featuring in reserve grade and first grade matches on the same day to reach the four games for qualification.

The club exposed the ruling which was worded: a player who has played 25% of available home and away games (4 games) to qualify in either First, Reserve or Under 17.5’s Grades shall be deemed eligible.

Despite the pair being available for only two rounds out of 16 (12.5 percent of the season), AFL Riverina said there was nothing in the by-laws, as they were written, specifically stopping them counting two games in a day.

The rule is likely to be rewritten for next season after a meeting on Monday featuring Riverina and Farrer League clubs. 

“It is on the agenda for consideration by clubs,” AFL Riverina operations manager, Shane Buchanan, said.

“A number of clubs have highlighted the loophole in the by-law and that the by-law had to be reviewed.”

He said the intention is to stick with four club games as the minimum to play finals but specifically rule out allowing two games on one day to count towards qualification.

Under 17.5 finals eligibility will also be looked at due to a discrepancy in rules between the two leagues. 

In the Riverina League, players are allowed to feature in finals provided they've played four games for their club, in any grade, during the season.

In the Farrer League, players need to have featured in four under 17.5 games during the year to be able to play finals. 

Next Monday’s meeting will also be a chance for clubs to discuss the rule changes being introduced at AFL level next year as discussions continue as to whether they should be applied to local leagues.

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