While I can see the point Shane is trying to make, I cannot agree with it.
It's flat out wrong.
The presence of Freo players in the Peel side is a natural consequence of the alignment system, a system I opposed when it was mooted and I still oppose it. However, Peel has obligations under the alignment system and they do not get an expanded squad to choose from. Their squad is the same size as every other club, including slime lite, West Perf and sowfs.
Should you accept what Shane says and not allow Freo listed players to play in the finals, who the hell do Peel choose to play? You cannot take out four or five players or ten or the whole fifteen and say to Peel , well you can select from whats left over. Can't get a full squad? Too bad.
The rules governing player eligibility were set in place several years ago but all of a sudden when one of the clubs gets a benefit, it all unfair? Spare me.
If you have an alignment system, this is always going to be the inevitable result. Don't like the result? Then don't have an alignment system but its absurd to allow Peel (or East Perth) to field AFL aligned players in the season and suddenly not allow that in the finals. Thats making Peel play with one hand tied behind its back.
People can complain about having AFL players in the side but realistically, where is the alternative? If its suddenly all hunky dory for South to complain about having to play against AFL players then where were these complaints when East Freo were knocked out of a finals Perth by the other AFL aligned club? There were none. Sh*t happens, right?
There is no realistic alternative to this unless the alignment with a single club is the system in place
