honestly I can't see where BSA are to fault. the by law states and paraphrasing if a play has a doctors cert for unfit to play they are awarded that game.
It does not say the player has to be in the country, town or state, when on a doctors exception.
Can see the by law being changed/tightened again because of Forestville.
As I see it they are legally within the rules but morally bankrupt on playing Johnston. Don't blame Johnson he is a player that plays for money it is his job.
With the 17 secs of playing have seen loads of clubs do it over the years. Jordan West for one game for west adelaide this season played for about 10secs not saying West or West Adelaide were rorting the system just saying I have seen it happen to qualify players.
But yes, over all the threads get over it it has been approved, Johnston is playing. IF Forestville win, and they still have to win. In 30 years time it will still be on the record books and none of this will be remembered.