Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
"Mercy rule": Five ex-NRL stars in country footy fall-out
SEN • April 24th, 2025 12:29 pm
Former Cronulla Shark David Fifita has rejected accusations that he and his country footy teammates are ruining the Central Coast competition after they played with five former NRL players.
The Kincumber Colts smashed their first-round opponents 60-0 with the match called off under the mercy rule, according to the Daily Telegraph, but Fifita is standing firm that his side are following the rules.
Not dissimilar to the salary cap, teams have to submit squads to the NSWRL and they must meet the criteria of a player points index system, the Colts did this and met with regulations.
On the Colts’ books are: Fifita (19 NRL games), Matt Moylan (191 NRL games), Nathan Davis (9 games), Ben Marschke (13 games) and Ben Thomas (7 games).
“I know we will cop a lot of criticism but we’re following the rules,” Fifita said.
“I honestly don’t see the problem. Everyone knows the rules and the rule book is there for a reason.
“We’re actually still 10 points under the points so we could get another NSW Cup player.
“To those complaining, they can go online and look at our points – it’s all online. It doesn’t bother me. We’re there to put bums on seats and it’s good for us having the boys around.
“We played Terrigal in round one. They debuted seven 19-year-olds. If you’re going to play against men in an A grade competition, you’re going to cop it."
While ticking all the boxes there are concerns about the impact such an experienced side could have on the league.
“Kincumber are doing everything legally which allows them to do what they’re doing,” Berkeley Vale coach Mark Jurd told The Daily Telegraph.
“But do I agree with them having so many (former NRL players) in one team? I don’t agree that you should be allowed to have so many high quality players in one team.
“I think it affects the competition. What are we trying to do here? Kill a team like Terrigal?”
