In a stunning change of mind, the AFL is now reconsidering its earlier ruling of a draw for the NAB Cup game between Essendon and St Kilda that was cancelled earlier tonight.
The game, to have been played at the Wangaratta Showgrounds had easily exceeded expectations and quickly sold out. But when one of the two planes that the Essendon Football Club had chartered for the trip was unable to land, the AFL was forced to cancel the game and announced that both teams would split the four points for the game.
St Kilda coach Scott Watters meanwhile has stated that his team was ready to play (which they did indeed do after the match was cancelled, playing a practice game for the crowd that had turned up) and that the Bombers had forfeited the match by failing to show.
The AFL subsequently released a statement to say they may toss a coin to find the winner.
As the issue steadily moves to a farce, the AFL has also said that each team will be given an opportunity to plead its case.
For the Saints the stakes are high as anything less than four points will end their NAB Cup campaign.
UPDATE (4/3/2012 @ 8:40am): Following up on last night’s cancelled game, Julian de Stoop of Fox Sports News has just reported that Essendon coach James Hird won’t complain if the AFL hand St Kilda the four points.
UPDATE (4/3/2012 @ 8:40am): The St Kilda Football Club has posted an update to their website saying that they have “decided not to formally request the awarding of points following the cancellation of the Club’s Round 2 NAB Cup game against Essendon in Wangaratta on Saturday night.”
UPDATE (4/3/2012 @ 12:50pm): FoxSports has posted a video of Essendon coach James Hird saying that the Saints are welcome to the points for last night’s cancelled game.
UPDATE (4/3/2012 @ 6:15pm): The AFL has just announced that St Kilda will be awarded the victory, and four NAB Cup points, after Essendon was unable to make the game in Wangaratta last night.
The league statement said: “The AFL noted that extreme weather conditions meant that Essendon was unable to reach Wangaratta by air for the match. However, it also resolved that alternate travel arrangements were available to the club and therefore Essendon’s inability to attend the match was ultimately within its control.”
More to follow.