WRFL INTRODUCES 23RD PLAYER RULE
For the first time all Senior Men’s teams will have the capacity to select and play a 23rd player this weekend.
The 23rd player rule was introduced at the beginning of 2020, however after the season was cancelled due to COVID-19, clubs couldn’t implement the new rule, until now.
The 23rd player rule will see players who turn 19 (in 2021) or younger, who are yet to play three or more senior (first 18) career games, feature as the 23rd player on their respective clubs senior team this weekend.
Twelve players across TIV Division 1, Prestige Group Real Estate Division 2 and Division 3 have been picked as the 23rd player:
| Club | 23rd Player |
| Altona | William Naismith |
| Caroline Springs | Lucas Blackman |
| Deer Park | Connor Parkin |
| Spotswood | Harrison Newitt |
| Werribee Districts | Lachlan Grima |
| Yarraville Seddon | Oscar Siddell |
| Albion | Brodie Holden |
| Newport | Ashraf Elayoubi |
| Albanvale | Jake Smith |
| Braybrook | Oscar Gordon |
| North Sunshine | Mason Zahra |
| Tarneit | Yusuf Kailie |
Naismith, Blackman, Newitt, Siddell, Holden, Elayoubi, Zahra, Kailie will all be making their Senior debut, thanks to the new rule.
There will be three more opportunities for clubs to utilise a 23rd player throughout the year, May 29, July 3 and August 7.
To see a list of all games on this weekend, please click here.
A player’s points allocation under the AFL Victoria Community Club Sustainability Program shall not count towards his team’s points total when that player is playing as a 23rd player.