The Robe Football Club has accepted the dual penalties of a loss of score and premiership points after an A Grade team sheet error in its round two victory at home over Glencoe.


As reported exclusively by The SE Voice, the penalties were imposed at a tribunal hearing convened by Mid South East Football League on April 29.


The tribunal had found the club guilty of breaching MSEFL by-law 22.1.3 regarding a senior colt in A Grade and the Roosters lost their ladder-leading ranking and slid to fourth.


Robe Football Club president Debra Mackey canvassed the views of key club figures on the following day and then addressed the senior coaching staff and players at their regular training session at the Robe Oval that night.


Mackey then issued a media release and described the “administrative error”.


She said the error was purely due to a fast decision made by an inexperienced management team who were without their more experienced mentors on that day.


“At no time were the team attempting to flout the rules,” Mackey said.


“Whilst errors were made, we stand by our people who are doing the best they can in the positions they have volunteered for.


“At the time of the breach the management team were unaware of the error so failed to seek further clarification.


“Whilst we are extremely disappointed at the outcome, we must also accept full responsibility for the breach and the consequences that have followed.


“The league’s decision was based on a precedent set several years ago and was made to ensure fairness and to uphold the integrity of our league.


“We respect the league’s decision in this matter and must now look to understand exactly how the error occurred and take proactive measures to ensure that this never happens again.


“We wish to take this opportunity to apologise to our Robe Football Club members, our community, and our senior players for this breach and for the disappointment of the result.”


Meanwhile, the Robe Football Club put the disappointment of the week behind it and staged a well-attended past players reunion on Friday night.


On the following day, it hosted Kalangadoo and defeated the reigning premiers by 60 points.


The win lifted the Roosters one rung on the premiership ladder while the winless Magpies are now second to bottom.


The SE Voice reported last week on a similar penalty imposed on Mount Burr Junior Colts for a recent team sheet error and the response of Mozzies president Clint Bowering.