The AFL need to give fans a “please explain” after last night’s NAB Cup game between St Kilda and Essendon was called off.
The match, which was to be played in Wangaratta, couldn’t go ahead because Essendon were stuck in Melbourne.
While the Saints wisely chose to take the bus the day before, the Bombers intended to fly up on the day. This plan hit a hurdle when the two planes carrying the team were unable to land due to bad weather.
The game was initially declared a draw, however late last night the AFL revealed they had used laws from the premiership season to determine that result and different rules applied during the NAB Cup.
Instead, a coin toss will determine a winner – unless it can be proven that Essendon’s non-arrival wasn’t beyond the club’s control.
Given the original result relied on this not being the case, a coin toss at this stage appears like a very real possibility. What’s concerning about that is a loss would mean the Saints would be out of contention to win the NAB Cup, which would be quite farcical considering they were the team that actually made it to the ground.
The whole saga has been unbelievably amateur, on so many levels, and begs a number of questions.
First of all, why were Essendon allowed to fly up on the day of the game? This practice isn’t allowed in the home and away season to avoid situations such as these. Yet the club’s travel arrangements were approved by the league.
Why did Essendon decide to fly instead of take the bus? Sure, officials were concerned about the small turnaround before their game next Friday night. But Wangaratta is a mere 2 hours 46 minutes from Windy Hill.
The decision to take a plane came across as unnecessary extravagance.
Why wasn’t a bus used after it was obvious a plane would be problematic? At the end of the day, if the Bombers want to fly that is their prerogative. The initial plan, though, was to arrive in Wangaratta in the morning. This was reported in yesterday’s Herald Sun.
Surely, if attempts to get there in the morning weren’t successful, alternative arrangements should have been put in place straight away.
Again, it’s a 2 hour 46 minute trip. The team could’ve easily made it up by the scheduled 7.00pm start by leaving at any point before 4.00pm. Instead, though, word of Essendon being “stuck” in Melbourne didn’t emerge until about 5.00pm.
Figure that out.
Why wasn’t the game declared a forfeit instead of a draw or, worse, the subject of a coin toss? The Saints have a right to at the very least ask this question. They were at the ground and the other team wasn’t. In junior footy, as coach Scott Watters pointed out last night, that’s a forfeit.
What muddies the waters here is that the AFL approved Essendon’s plans, so the dodgy travel arrangements aren’t solely the Bombers’ fault. The league couldn’t really take two points away from the Bombers when they were part of the process too.
Nonetheless, if you were St Kilda, you’d feel a bit hard done by.
Will the AFL admit to their mistakes and make any changes? Allowing a team to fly up on the day of a game, without a back-up plan in case of any problems, can’t be allowed to happen again. Especially when the final destination is the subject of flood warnings and heavy rain in the lead-up to the match.
Admitting that yesterday’s events were unprofessional would also demonstrate to fans that the league knows they deserve better.
Finally, an explanation as to why an alternative travel arrangement wasn’t made yesterday morning, or even before then, from either Essendon or the AFL, would be handy. At what point the Bombers informed the AFL yesterday there were troubles is another useful piece of information.
If it can be shown the Bombers could have done more to get to the game, after the point where the AFL ticked off their plans, then the four points should go to St Kilda.
The sad part of this story is what it means for the people of Wangaratta. The town was genuinely excited to be hosting AFL football. The game sold out last week.
Hopefully the league can compensate them by ensuring there will be a NAB Cup game next year – only then, with both teams actually at the game.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Don't worry TC. I only knew about it because I sumbled across the ladder while skimming the AFL website. To be honest I probably would have thought the same as you until I saw the ladder.
samwise
Guest
Very poor that the Bombers didn't use this as a chance to do a routine school visit or two on Friday afternoon. Big clubs like Essendon should be leading the way on community work. According to the Border Mail, both clubs were rather poor about giving the local media any access to players, although Essendon were reportedly far worse (St Kilda at least provided a player for interview!). And people wonder why I don't support an AFL club! Also, are the Saints wearing Murray Bushrangers jumpers in the article pic?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Matt F fair enough, I made the comment without doing my homework. I knew there were only a few teams that had come out of the first round with two wins, and I knew Collingwood was one of them, and they lost on the weekend, but I couldn't really remember who the other teams were. Still, there's probably a 50/50 chance that one of WCE or the Crows will lose their next game.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Not true TC. If Adelaide and West Coast both win next week then they will both have gone undefeated and will play in the final. I just stumbled across the NAB Cup ladder (I didn't even know there was one!) and, taking % into account, the cut-off for potential finalists would probably be Sydney in 6th, or maybe even geelong in 5th. Anyone below them would need a massive % booster.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Oh, Essenscum-erm, I mean Essendon!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
At least one side will make it to the last two having had a loss, so it depends on how large the losses are, but yeh, it probably makes it harder for the Saints.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
It's all relative. You can only compare to what other teams in the same competition do. It doesn't matter how long Argentina and South Africa have to travel as they don't compete in the AFL. As such, West Coast & Fremantle have every right to be annoyed at having to travel from WA to Victoria so many times. Essendon on the other hand? I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. Their decision to fly is not only absurd, but is an indication they have too many dollars and not enough sense.
Forbes
Roar Rookie
They did have a back-up plan. Hird said there were buses on the standby. Reportedly the pilot was sure they would be able to get there when Essendon staff were inquiring able the probability of landing just before take off. It's logical to give St Kilda the points, but a lot of people are ignoring facts.
Brian
Guest
Firstly the NAB Cup is son inconsequential why would Essendon need such a rest for their Friday night game anyway. Moreover as this ear's NAB Cup Final is simply the best 2 teams after 4 games St Kilda only hope of reaching the Final would be via %. Therefore the "4" points without any % is as good as eliminating them out of the NAB Cup anyway.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Lorry I don't think you'll get any argument from any of the AFL fans here. Originally, I thought the problem was that the Wang ground was under water, and it did have a fair bit of surface water on it at one point. But to later discover that the problem was that the bombers had booked a flight left me a bit perplexed - I've lost count of the amount of times I've done the road from Wang to the outskirts of Melbourne, it's about 2:15 hours, very nice road all the way, by the time you played a few songs on your I-pod, you'd be there.
Lorry
Guest
I like aussie rules and NOT trying to start a code war, but I find myself in bewilderment every season when some 'issue' arises concerning distance travelled, e.g. the alleged 'effect' of teams who have to travel from WA to Sydney/Melbourne etc, and now this latest issue of whether to take the bus or fly to Wangaratta. It's just bizarre! It's the same country for god's sake!!... How about how much South African Super rugby teams have to travel (14 hours flights), or the Argentinian rugby team in this year's 4 Nations (16 hours) Talk about a non-issue...
mds1970
Roar Guru
The verdict is in. Essendon are deemed to have forfeited, and St Kilda awarded the points.
joe blackswan
Guest
Given comments by Essendon explaining their difficulties and would accept st kilda being awarded the 4 points, it just requires the AFL to make the decision....will common sense prevail? we will soon find out.
joe blackswan
Guest
no chance with post season match, but certainly should have a gurranteed fixture for next season's kick and giggle cup....the AFLPA won a 6wk uninterrupted break for players during the off season and such a post season fixture would breach this esp if one or both appear in finals.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
If the window is there to do it, they should definitely do it, especially if what Brad mentions below happened.
Brad
Guest
Essendon ordered 40 odd post game meals from caterers. Cancelled the order 2 hours before the game to try and dodge the bill. They knew they weren't coming and still made no attempt to get there. disgraceful decision by them and their management and the AFL. Should lose the points and be penalized. There was an elderly couple from Wodonga who stood in the rain at the gates for 5 hours.
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Sounds like a pretty sensible idea, Jack. A lot of the venues for the last week are locked in I believe (like Manuka Oval), but if one of the Melbourne games was moved I'm sure people would understand.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
Given both teams won't make the NAB cup grand final, why not play them at Wangaratta in 2 weeks?
me too
Guest
sharing the point literally ends st kilda's chances of playing in the nab final. they have lost the benefits of a decent hitout for their team, and will lose financially if the match is declared a draw. the afl is at blame here moreso than essendon as they approved a game day flight. to have no contingency plan in place, given the weather forecasts all week, shows how mickey mouse their attitude is to the nab. then to declare a draw before even reviewing their own rules just shows how much they simply make up at their whim. the preseason competition has been relegated to nothing more than a poor marketing spectacle by the afl over recent years, and needs the afl to create a fairer and better run compeition if it is to have any relevance and any future.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
They should have a bowl off - or "goal off", a short goal kicking competition to see who wins. Could be a bit of a lark.