LGSHA 2024: Manypeaks women docked four premiership points, set to miss finals for playing unregistered player

Manypeaks women’s A-grade side is set to be booted out of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association finals series after being penalised four premiership points for illegally playing an unregistered player during fixtures this season. That decision is being appealed by Manypeaks Hockey Club, with an outcome expected to be known by Friday. Peaks are one of the most feared sides in the competition, led by WA Country star and former Hockeyroo Kathryn Slattery and her WA Country-capped sister Meg Slattery. After Peaks drew 1-1 with Spencer Park in round nine and secured a 5-4 win against Mt Barker in round 14, they were slapped with 3-0 forfeit losses for playing an unregistered player. They also suffered a 5-0 and 1-0 defeat to Park in rounds six and 11 while playing an unregistered player, but given they lost, the scores were not altered. The deduction in points meant they dropped to 14 premiership points and dropped to fourth on the ladder, allowing Mt Barker to move up into third spot, one point ahead, and secure the last position in the finals that start this weekend. LGSHA marketing and promotions coordinator Matt Heberle said the association “acted upon the by-laws as they have been written”. “Manypeaks were notified and didn’t follow any due processes,” Herbele said. Peaks approached Hockey WA to contest the penalty, but they declined involvement, citing it as a local issue. The penalty is now going through a new appeals process after president Hudson Field launched another challenge and the LGSHA is meeting to decide an outcome on Thursday night. “The club has lodged an appeal based on advice from Hockey WA regarding an identical precedent and is awaiting a decision,” Field said. The women’s A-grade finals start this Saturday with the top-two sides playing in a quarterfinal and the loser is set to face the third-placed side in a semifinal in a fortnight.