A SPECIAL allocation of player transfer points has been allocated to the Robe Football Club but they can only be used if recruit Pat Perry takes to the field.
The Roosters can use up to 17 points per game if the star North Gambier and ex-Nangwarry player is on the team sheet.
The Mid South East Football League made Robe aware on Wednesday of the extra allocated points and Perry made his debut in a red-and-white guernsey on Saturday against Tantanoola.
Going by its results in 2016, Robe was automatically granted 13 transfer points for this season.
The club lobbied for extra points due to extraordinary circumstances and was granted an extra two by the MSEFL executive committee.
The Roosters were still not satisfied and continued to seek additional points as Perry was now living at Robe and trying to establish a business.
Perry is a multiple premiership player with the Western Border Tigers and runner-up in the league best and fairest award.
During the off-season, Kalangadoo and Hatherleigh also tried to get additional player transfer points but were denied.
The issue has sent tongues wagging across the MSEFL in recent months and been debated on numerous occasions at meetings of club delegates.
In comparison to Robe’s allocation of 17 points (if Perry plays), Nangwarry’s allocation is 18 and it has not won a game for a few seasons.
The granting of additional points comes with a number of other conditions the Robe Football Club will need to adhere to or risk the player points being revoked.
These conditions will assist the Robe FC with future planning and were welcomed by the Club.
Consultation was also done with South Australian Community Football League key personnel in Matt Duldig, Community Football Manager and Scott Duncan, Murray South East Regional Director who assisted both parties with the discussions.
MSEFL President Peter Mitchell said a key factor in the decision of the League Executive to allow the additional points was a lack of playing numbers.
“It was hoped the League initiative to allow clubs to play 16-a-side in their B Grade sides would assist all clubs, ” Mr Mitchell said.
“However it is clear the Robe Football Club continues to struggle to attract consistent playing numbers across their senior grades.
“Whilst one player isn’t going to solve all their problems and they are no orphans in regard to the lack of playing numbers, they are particularly disadvantaged in they have no population base in which to draw players from or utilise SACFL Regulation 15 (dual registration) to any great effect” Mr Mitchell said.
