THE Manly Marlins' fourth grade side have advanced to next week's preliminary final without making a tackle after opponents Gordon were sensationally booted out of the competition in rugby's version of The Hangover.

The Marlins had been due to play the Highlanders in a semi-final on Saturday morning at Manly Oval.



But the Sydney Rugby Union has suspended the Gordon team after they forfeited their qualifying final against Norths last Sunday.



It's understood that only seven Gordon players fronted up for the game.



Coincidentally, there was a buck's party for a Gordon player on the north coast that weekend.



"A forfeit in a finals series is unprecedented, and the board felt that it had no choice but to take decisive action," the Sydney Rugby Union said in a statement circulated to clubs.



"The board also decided that it was not appropriate either to elevate a side which had failed to reach the finals, or to recall a side which had already been defeated in the finals series, with the result that Manly fourth grade will have a bye on the coming weekend."



Manly coach John Kelly said the Marlins' players and coaching staff were very disappointed they had advanced in such circumstances.



"It showed a real lack of respect to Norths, every team in the competition and the spirit of rugby," Kelly said.Manly now play Sydney Uni on Saturday week.