Southern Inland ladder reshuffle after Albury wins appeal

The Steamers had been found to have played an unregistered player in their win over Wagga City and were docked of the points by the Southern Inland board on Monday night.

However the penalty was altered on appeal, with the game now a draw, moving Albury back into fourth heading into the final round.

They are now five points clear of the Boiled Lollies ahead of their clash with Waratahs at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.

A bonus point is all the need to play finals.

President Mick Raynes is pleased the decision hasn't cost them a chance to make finals.

"It's a bit of a stalemate but it has advanced our season and it is all we could have asked for," Raynes said.

"The season is back in our control which I think is a valid enough outcome."

Southern Inland president Warwick Grant said the mitigating factors of the case changed what he initially described as a black and white case.

Albury had been registering David Cooper-Dunn weekly, and had so on five occasions before the round 15 clash, before the error.

Grant said it was enough to change the board's decision.

"It was an unfortunate oversight and we felt it shouldn't affect their whole season," Grant said.

Wagga City are the biggest losers after a week of upheaval with the initial decision putting them above Albury on points difference heading into their clash with seventh-placed Tumut.

However president Dan Ribot has accepted the decision.

"It wouldn't have been a very pleasant way for us to play finals football in all honesty," Ribot said.

"The fact they've created one set of rules for other clubs who have done the same thing is interesting however there is not much we can do about it.

"I don't begrudge them (Albury) and believe they have done enough to be in the finals.

"The reality is we didn't win enough games, but maybe the rugby gods will smile on us."

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