The Bermagui-Cobargo Eels player was hit with a 12-month ban from reserve grade after he played two games in contravention of a Group directive deeming he was of first grade standard.

The club was also fined $500 and stripped of four competition points for the breach – and threatened with a more substantial fine and suspension from the competition if Robinson continued to play reserves.

Country Rugby League area manager for the Greater Southern region Kevin Felgate was in Bega on Wednesday night to hear the appeal against Robinson’s ban.

However, a decision was not made on the night and Eels president Darren Morris said it could potentially be October and after the season wraps up before the matter is heard again.

Morris said it was the intention of Bermagui-Cobargo and playing partner Eden to propose changes to portability rules along with the appeal, but were told as they hadn’t given 21 days’ notice to the Group, it wouldn’t be tabled until its next meeting.

“For now it seems we just put with it. The four points stand, the fine stands – it’s so frustrating,” Morris said.

“We were looking an almost certainty for the semis, now we may not make it.

“We have a player graded first grade – after playing only one game,” he said incredulously.

He said a similar ruling has been imposed on Lachlan Carey, who is battling Crohn’s disease and barely manages five minutes of game time before running out of energy.

“Lachie is a shadow of his former self – he couldn’t play first grade if he tried,” Morris said.

“They are grading these players on previous form not on their current ability and health concerns.”

Morris said, under portability rules, a first grade player out of form or lacking match practice should be able to drop back and play reserves without penalty.

However, it only takes a complaint from an opposition side to have it referred to the Group 16 management committee for review.

“It’s not like we’re stacking the team with outside players here – they are both Cobargo juniors.

“The portability rules have too many grey areas and need tightening up,” he said.