10/05/2026
***Club Statement***
We were very disappointed to lose the Hospital Cup Semi final on Wednesday last week. Caulfield were the better team on the evening as the early red card went against us.
Prior to the game, upon seeing who was playing for our opponents, we questioned the BDFA chairman regarding the eligibility rule of 44%.
The Chairman seemed unaware that the rule applied when we raised our concerns.
We then contacted the league on Wednesday night to raise these concerns. We were told to send an official email regarding this, which we did on Thursday morning. We were told it would be looked into at the earliest opportunity. After several back and forth's via email and WhatsApp we are still awaiting a formal reply in regards to the potential rule breach. Given it is a Cup Semi Final and the final is the week after, we expected the league to look into the matter with urgency - no matter the outcome.
As of 7pm on Sunday (today) Less than 3 days before the final we are yet to receive an official response.
This is clearly a neglect of duty to the enforcement of the rules that the league themselves introduced.
Not to add, the disregard we have been shown by raising our concerns and made to feel we are complaining with no justification.
We have held off from making this public knowledge in the hope that the league would act both in accordance with the rules and give us the respect we feel we deserve.
After similar concerns in the 2024 Challenge cup final between Darfield Queen Vic and Birdwell, the rules were tightened and extra steps were put in place to avoid situations like these happening, but on this occasion it seems like these have been neglected.
Unfortunately at this stage, it appears we have now no choice but to make this public knowledge as we await a response.
