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The Essendon vs St Kilda NAB Cup game, scheduled to be played in Wangaratta at 7:00pm tonight has been cancelled.
Ironically the Bombers, who had chartered two planes to head to the north-eastern Victorian town, had problems flying.
For reasons that have yet to be explained, the club had scheduled their flight for early in the afternoon of the same day as the match. Bad weather, which had been known of and discussed for the last few days, ultimately punished the team for leaving their travel so late after one of their chartered planes, and half of the Bombers squad, was diverted back to Melbourne.
In contrast the St Kilda Football Club opted for a more traditional bus-trip, the journey being completed yesterday.
Some rumours have surfaced that there was not enough accommodation available in Wangaratta. If true it would be strange that one of the teams was catered for while the Bombers were left to their own devices.
UPDATE ( 3/3/2012 @ 5:51pm): AFL.com.au has posted a picture of the field in Wangaratta – looks unplayable!
UPDATE ( 3/3/2012 @ 5:54pm): AFL has just tweeted “Tonight’s match at Wangaratta will not be played. @Essendon_FCwere unable to reach the area due to the weather #NABCup“
UPDATE ( 3/3/2012 @ 5:55pm): AFL has announced that the game has been declared a draw because Essendon could no reach the ground. They have also confirmed that all tickets will be refunded.
UPDATE (3/3/2012 @ 6:04pm): The Haerald Sun has confirmed that the game cannot be rescheduled as “the Bombers meet Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.”
UPDATE (3/3/2012 @ 6:14pm): Via the AFL on Twitter, the St Kilda Football Club has indicated it will conduct a training session in Wangaratta now for the benefit of those patrons already at the venue.
UPDATE (3/3/2012 @ 6:18pm): The AFL has announced that patrons who purchased a ticket via credit card will have the amount automatically refunded to their account within 5 days, while patrons with cash sales should return with their tickets to the point of purchase after 12pm Monday March 5 for a refund.
UPDATE (3/3/2012 @ 6:33pm): The AFL has released an official statement about the cancellation of the Essendon St Kilda game that was scheduled to be played in Wangaratta tonight:
“The club’s flights to Wangaratta were unable to land, despite a number of attempts, and the team has returned to Melbourne and will not be able to reach the ground, even with a delay of the scheduled start time of up to 60 minutes.
“As the club was unable to reach the venue, the match will be declared a draw with two points awarded to each team under NAB Cup rules.
“All patrons who bought a ticket for tonight’s game will be eligible for a full refund. Patrons who purchased a ticket via credit card will have the amount automatically refunded to their personal account within five (5) days, while patrons with cash sales should return with their tickets to the point of purchase after 12pm Monday March 5, for a refund.
“Separately, the AFL wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the St Kilda Football Club, which has indicated late today that it will conduct a training session at the ground for the benefit of those patrons who had already reached the venue before tonight’s scheduled start at 7pm.”
UPDATE (3/3/2012 @ 7:25pm): The Essendon Football Club made an announcement on their website a short time ago, saying “it was disappointing that the game had to be cancelled. It is very frustrating for everyone involved including both teams and the local community.”
UPDATE (3/3/2012 @ 9:06pm): The Sunday Age has just posted the following picture on Twitter:
Image may be NSFW.
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UPDATE (3/3/2012 @ 9:56pm): St Kilda stayed on in Wangaratta and played a scratch practice match for the fans that had been there for the NAB Cup game against Essendon. The AFL has just posted this image on Twitter of that practice:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
UPDATE (5/3/2012 @ 3:56pm): Herald Sun video posted on their website.
Bombers-Saints AFL pre-season match off: The AFL pre-season match between Essendon and St Kilda in Wangaratta has been cancelled.