Penalty pain for Kangas

North Albany have been stripped of four premiership points after the Great Southern Football League discovered the Kangas had played an ineligible player in their round 12 clash with Denmark-Walpole last Sunday.

West Australian Country Football League by-laws state that a player who plays in a WACFL league is then unable to play in a different competition on the same weekend.

Corey Hitchcock kicked four goals from seven possessions in the Claremont Tigers’ one point win over Perth in the WAFL colts on August 5.

The young wingman then backed up the next day as the Kangas demolished the Magpies by 129 points.

GSFL general manager Paul Higginson said the club had been notified.

“At this stage, North Albany will lose their points,” he said.

“We’re just following the by-laws.”

Kangas president Iian Woods said they had asked the league to reconsider.

“I don’t think the rule is designed for that purpose,” he said. “We’re trying to put player development at the forefront and we’re being penalised.

“We weren’t aware of the law but that’s no excuse — we’ll accept whatever the league decides.”

As a result of the penalty, the Kangas drop from first to third spot on the ladder, with Mt Barker and Royals now four points clear.

On Sunday, the Kangas overcame a young and competitive Albany outfit, piling on the last 10 goals of the game to run away with a 107-point win at Collingwood Park.

The Kangas, who also brought in a host of younger players, were challenged at times by the Sharks, but proved too strong when kicking with the breeze and finished ahead, 18.22 (130) to 3.5 (23).

The sides managed two goals apiece in the opening quarter as the Sharks made the most of limited opportunities.

The Kangas took advantage of the breeze in the second quarter, kicking six unanswered goals to seize control.

A spirited start to the third quarter brought a major from Nicholas Penny to bring the Sharks within seven goals, however late goals to Jesse Wynne and Grant Free-borough settled the Kangas. Eight goals to none in the last quarter ensured the Kangas continued their good form as they head into a blockbuster clash with Mt Barker this weekend.

Jack McPhee and Brock Ramsay led the charge for the Kangas through the midfield while for the Sharks, Fraser Eaton showed poise with the ball and Red Rogers worked hard all day.

Kangas coach Craig Dew said he was pleased with how his younger players performed.

“It’s pretty exciting stuff,” he said.

“The young guys all played to our structures and played their roles.

“I think our fitness probably shone through in the end and we were able to get on top in that last quarter.”

Sharks coach Scott Sedgwick said his side showed good signs.

“We were very competitive for most of the game,” he said.

“The last quarter really hurt us, but I thought we got plenty of first use in the middle and looked good going forward.”