By Tallon Smith

An ineligible player drama has rocked the Group 20 Rugby League Finals after the Griffith Waratah Tigers’ 30-28 victory over Yenda at Wade Park on Sunday was reversed after a complaint.

The situation centres around Waratahs Prop Forward Isaiah Nauer, who had played for Woden Valley’s Under 19s on Saturday in the Canberra Rugby League Semi Finals, and was sent from the field, before backing up for the Waratahs in Sunday’s First Grade match.

Nauer, who is a talented young front rower, went on to score a try, which obviously contributed to the two-point victory.

The issue seems to have stemmed from a lack of communication between the NSWRL, Group 20 and the Canberra Region Rugby League.

Upon request, Group 20 President Adam Brill provided the following statement regarding the matter to Battlers For Bush Footy.

“It was brought to Group 20’s and [the] NSWRL’s attention on Sunday evening that a player has been playing in two different competitions and was sent off on Saturday 24/8 in the other competition. 

“As you are aware if a person is sent off during the weekend, they are not permitted to play until they go before a judiciary. 

“On Sunday 25/8 the player sent off from Saturday played for Waratahs in a semifinal. 

“As a result of this player playing, Waratahs are deemed to have played an unqualified player and therefore forfeit the match. 

“The Group were of the understanding that the club didn’t know, so instead of removing Waratahs from the finals, we reverse the result and they play in Minor Semi and Yenda play in the Major Semi. 

“The Group had a discussion with NSWRL and were all in agreement as we would like to keep Waratahs in the competition after coming back from recess. 

“Waratahs did [submit an] appeal late yesterday, which was unsuccessful.

“As for the other matter of playing in two competitions, that is still an ongoing investigation to how this occurred and we won’t comment or speculate on this at this point in time.”

In response, Waratah Tigers President Robert Nascimben also responded to Battlers For Bush Footy’s request with the following statement.

“We were made aware via phone call on Monday afternoon that one of our players was unfortunately suspended playing in another competition, [which was] unknown to us as well unknown to the player as he thought he was eligible to play in both clubs.

“[On] Tuesday afternoon we received an email indicating that the result of the match when we played Yenda on Sunday was overturned, meaning we are now demoted to the Elimination Final this Saturday.

“This is very unfortunate for the club and players in general as well as the player in concern; more importantly we are a family orientated club and our players, coaches, and supporters have been here to support him and his family the last few days and last night at training when I delivered the news that our appeal was unsuccessful.

“A mistake may have been made, but a lesson has been learnt. 

“Moving forward, we will move on to our next big hurdle this Saturday and stick together, win or lose on Saturday.

“The boys will reset, re-focus and play to the best of their ability this Saturday as they have done before.”

As for the complaint that caused the matter to be investigated, Battlers For Bush Footy is unsure where it originated, with competing claims that Yenda and/or DPC made the complaint unsubstantiated so far.

On the day, the Waratah Tigers carried their impressive form into the finals arena, recording a 30-28 win.

A late penalty to Ulu Akolo saw the Waratahs over the line, after they mounted a comeback to erase a 28-16 deficit and record a strong away finals victory.

The result reversal will see the Tigers play the Minor Semi Final, in which they will face Black and Whites at Solar Mad Stadium.

It is unclear as to why the Black and Whites have been allocated as the home team, given that the reversed result of the Qualifying Final should see the Waratahs host the match, however one could assume that the loss of home ground advantage is part of the penalties imposed upon the club.

In the other match this weekend, the Blueheelers will tackle the DPC Roosters as they look to move into the Grand Final.

The Grand Final is pencilled in for EW Moore Oval in Griffith on Sunday, September 15.

Black and Whites show their might to win sudden-death showdown with Greenies

The Griffith Black and Whites will live to fight another day after a dominant 40-12 win over the Leeton Greenies in the Elimination Final at Leeton No.1 Oval on Saturday.

After falling to fifth spot on the final day of the regular season after Leeton’s win over West Wyalong, the Black and Whites faced an away trip first up, but it did little to faze the Griffith team who ran in eight tries to two to book a Minor Semi Final appearance against Yenda this coming Saturday.

A dominant performance from fullback Solomona Toru spearheaded the Panthers’ charge to victory, with the Griffith custodian scoring a try double and booting four goals for a personal haul of 16 points.

The Black and Whites will face Waratahs in the Minor Semi Final on Saturday afternoon.