During the 2025 NBL just before the playoffs, the JT Jaguars queried the eligibility of the two new City Oilers players, Kurt Curry and Chad Bowie, who had come in for the playoffs.

Dr. Jeff argued that the two players had not ‘physically’ appended their signature on the club bio data form and thus were ineligible to play.

As a result, the game between the JT Jaguars and the City Oilers was postponed as the case was being resolved.

However, there was a ruling by the Competition Council that the signings were eligible and they went on to play, taking the Oilers to the finals.

During the rules review meeting, this was one of those topics that was discussed and ultimately the rule was amended.

The old rule stated;

A team shall be allowed a maximum of only three (3) players for the 2nd registration period (window) and shall ensure that the player’s details are entered on the e-registration platform and that the player appends their signature on the club/team bio data form before verification by the Competitions Council. For avoidance of doubt, registration under this clause includes inclusions, replacements and new player transfers.

In the new one, some parts were added on. It states;

A team shall be allowed a maximum of only three (3) players for the 2nd registration period (window) and shall ensure that the player’s details are entered on the e-registration platform. The said Players shall be allowed to append their respective signatures in-person on the club/team bio data form before verification by the Competitions Council. For avoidance of doubt, registration under this clause includes inclusions, replacements and new player transfers. A player can sign the club bio data form in-person and send a scanned copy via email through the VP administration to the competition’s council before the deadline. However, the player/team must present the original copy signed on by the player before clearance to play the first game.

What does this mean?

If a player is abroad, they can simply sign and send a scanned copy. That means that we may not see some players more so in the second round and they can just appear during the playoffs or maybe end of the second round.

The other important law that could affect the league is the player registration section 2.02 (k) which states;

A player shall sign on only one team’s registration form during registration. A player shall be considered to have signed for a team when he has appended his signature on the team’s registration form during the registration window and period. For avoidance of doubt player registration and transfer is complete only the player has appended their signature in the roster only during the registration period.

What does this mean?

If a player signs on the form during the registration window, they are a part of the team whether they play a game or not.

So, a team can sign a player (ghost player) who may not play the whole season but just show up in the second round or the playoffs.

If that player had signed earlier, he would not be treated as a new signing if he joined the team in the second round.

This means that a team can sign 3 or 4 player at the beginning and yet not use them till the second round or the playoffs.

If that team decides to make mid-season transfers and also those players join, they could have up to 6 or 7 new players in the second round or even the playoffs.

This will ultimately help teams save money as these ‘hired guns’ could be brought in at the business end of the season.

To give you an example, City Oilers has had Jermaine Roebuck on their team roster but he has not been playing. This means, as long as he signed, he would just show up any day and play for them.

This could have a huge impact on the league as we may see more and more ‘ghost’ players who will show up either in the second round or the playoffs.

The 2026 NBL season is set to tip-off on 6th February with team registration climaxing on 20th January.