Quick thing on the rules. As long as Drew was registered before 30 July (I think) that's covered. Drew has always been registered with Balmain and is "loaned" to Randwick. Thus he can play for Balmain. The next rule is 4 of your last 7 games for the Club. I wouldn't know the team sheets but if Drew played lower grades for those 4 games then he's eligible.
The system isn't perfect but there's only so much control Subbies can exert without becoming impossibly perscriptive. Rememeber most Subbies Clubs run on an oily rag and the coronary bypass surgury of stressed out volunteers. Start making the rules to stop a handful of clubs and it will kill the rest of them.
As for the money at other Clubs, be careful what you believe. I'm not part of any of the Clubs mentioned but good networks are the sign of a well run club. Cash payments will always fail in the longer term. You only need to see the rise and fall of the Clubs that have tried it.and the financial state of SS Clubs
Just to confirm re the Eligibility rules. Yes there is a cut off date to be registered. Typically 4 games or so before the finals start.
Then it is an assessment against the majority of your last seven games.
You don't need to have played seven games (or even any games) to be eligible. eg as long as Mitchell is eligibly registered before the cut off, he can play in any grade come finals even if he doesn't play a single game for the club.
If he plays one game in 3rds (say), he could play in 3rds or above come finals.
Being a former secretary of a club, unfortunately I know these rules backward.
Then there are a whole lot of other rules thrown in above that too, but let's not go there.
