Barossa’s A grade deputy vice-captain Simon Wills was selected and played against Nuriootpa on Saturday, August 30 without fulfilling the total qualification criteria.

Barossa president Chris Gill explained the mistake was a simple error from a volunteer within the club, who misread the qualification criteria.

“A large fine does effect any club within the league,” Gill continued.

‘The directors were forced to set a precedent to which we can’t appeal or argue against.”

The laws pertaining to the eligibility of players for finals state:

Law 7.2 Qualification of Players part (d) states - No club shall play a player who is unregistered or for any other reason unqualified. The manager shall scrutinise all team sheets and any club breaking this rule shall forfeit the match and/or receive an appropriate fine but does not have the right of appeal.

Law 7.3 Team Qualifications part (g) states - Subject to sub rules 7.3 (i) and 7.3 (j) for a player to be eligible to play in a particular grade in major round matches, that player must have played in at least three minor round matches, each played on separate days, either in that or a lower grade but not a higher grade where eligibility is sort.

Law 7.3 Team qualifications (h) - A senior player who plays in more than four games during the last nine games of that season shall not be permitted to play in the reserves major round matches except under a special permit as outlined in Law 7.3 (j).

Wills didn’t fulfil eligibility criteria in law 7.3 (g) and the club didn’t apply for a special permit.

He then played in the Barossa District A grade second semi final against Tanunda last Saturday.

Nuriootpa reserves coach Adam Fiegert believes Wills had an impact in the game, keeping key Tiger forward Richard Newcombe quiet for most of the day.

“Simon playing certainly changed the dynamics of the game,” Fiegert said.