Fill Ins

La Trobe League – Fill-In Player Policy 🙋

Teams are allowed to use fill-in players in La Trobe League competitions — we want your team to play each week. However, certain rules are in place to ensure fairness across all competitions.

Requirements for a Fill-In Player

A player may be used as a fill-in only if all of the following conditions are met:

1. They are registered online in the competition.
2. They play in a lower division than the team they are filling in for.
   1. Example: A Division B player may fill in for a Division A team, but not Division C or D.
   2. If there is only one division, a fill-in may be approved with opposition consent.
   3. In multi-division competitions, teams may also allow fill-ins from the same division if the opposition agrees.
3. They are added to the team sheet (paper or electronic) before the match begins.
4. The referee is notified before the match starts.

Number of Fill-Ins Allowed Per Match

Teams may use a maximum of two (2) fill-in players per match.

Fill-In Game Limit

A fill-in player may only play a limited number of matches for the same team:

• Up to 4 matches in 16+ week competitions
• Up to 2 matches in semester-length competitions

A player may exceed this limit only if they:

a) Register as an official member of the team
b) Are not registered in another team in the same competition
c) Do not exceed the team’s maximum registration numbers

Finals Eligibility

Fill-ins are not eligible for finals.
To qualify for finals, a player must:

• Register as a full team member, and
• Meet all finals eligibility requirements in the competition rules.

Team Responsibility

Teams are fully responsible for any fill-ins they use.
If incidents occur involving a fill-in player, the team is liable in the same way as if the player were officially registered.

Teams who breach fill-in or suspension policies may face:

• Point deductions
• Forfeiture of matches
• Suspension from the competition

(as outlined in the Suspension Guidelines)

Fill-In Player FAQ

We don’t have enough players this week. Can we use a fill-in?

Yes - as long as the player meets all of the following:

• Is registered online
• Is from a higher division (unless opposition approves otherwise)
• Is added to the team sheet before the match
• The referee is notified before the match begins

Do fill-ins need to be registered?

Yes. They must be registered in the competition, but do not need to be officially registered to your team unless they want to join permanently.

Do fill-in games count toward a player’s season tally?

No. Games only count once a player is officially registered to your team.
If someone is joining your team permanently, ensure they register using your team code.

How many times can a single fill-in play for us?

• Up to 4 matches in 16+ week competitions
• Up to 2 matches in semester-based competitions

How many fill-ins can we use per match?

A maximum of two (2) fill-ins per game.

What if a fill-in has reached their limit but wants to play again?

They may continue playing if they:

• Register fully into your team
• Are not registered in another team in the same competition
• Do not exceed the team’s maximum number of registered players