The current cut off is around 20 at the moment isn't it? The Mariners this season alone have been forced to get rid of young players because they are not yet ready for an A-League contract but could easily be in a year or two. Separation from an A-League academy almost always results in the young players disappearing after less than a season at other NPL clubs as they struggle to find a pathway without promotion and relegation. Charles M'Mombwa, Emmanuel Peters and Michael Glassock are some examples from this season alone, players that the Mariners wanted to develop more but were not yet ready for a full A-League contract.

Does the cut off age need to be higher and will that help players bridge the gap between NPL and A-League level before promotion and relegation comes in?

It's 21 & 10 HAL starts.

To be fair what's Mariners excuse? Not like they have much to lose at this point is there. Is there that much risk in giving someone like Glassock a chance instead of paying Corey Gameiro to sit on a physio table for a year?

No. Stop putting rubbish rules on everything.