Tara Murray
The Northern Football League has found that two matches that were abandoned on Saturday due to poor weather, shouldn’t have been.
The league released a statement on Monday after the board made a decision on the outcome of several matches across all three divisions, after several matches were halted or call off altogether.
“Last Saturday provided weather conditions that have not been seen for many years,” the statement said.
“This adverse weather created many interruptions to senior matches in all divisions and in some cases, games were abandoned.”
In division 2, the board determined that they were not convinced that the games between Lower Plenty versus Panton Hill and Diamond Creek against Fitzroy Stars should have been abandoned.
The board determined that the process implemented to abandon these matches were in breach of the by-laws.
“At no stage was the NFNL consulted prior to abandoning these matches and the NFNL board considers that if this by-law were applied correctly, both matches would have been completed, albeit shortened quarters, prior to 5pm,” the league said.
“Both matches were called off in the second half of the match, and therefore all scores at the conclusion of the match shall stand. As such, Lower Plenty and Diamond Creek will be awarded the four premiership points. All other results from this division shall also remain as of the conclusion of their match.”
The outcome confirms Thomastown’s spot in the finals.
In division 1, it was found both games that were abandoned, North Heidelberg versus Montmorency and Heidelberg versus Macleod, were done so within the by-laws and both grounds were unsuitable to continue the match.
All results in that division from the weekend are void with the percentage and points remaining at what they were before the round 17 clashes.
In division 3, the Kilmore versus Reservoir game which was called off in the second half of the match, will be awarded to Kilmore.
The scores at the time of the conclusion of the match shall stand, and Kilmore will receive the four premiership points.
