Adelaide hit by blackout No.2

THE SANFL will investigate a second light failure at one of its venues in a week as South Adelaide and the Crows’ game was postponed due to a partial black-out at Noarlunga last night.

2/05/2015 Disappointed fans after the game between South and Crows was called off due to technical difficulties with the lights at Hickinbothan Oval. Soth fans Ashley Littler and Ashlea Baughan and baby Ryan Littler from Christies Beach who didn't get a refund and won't be able to make it tomorrow. Pic Mark Brake

THE SANFL will investigate a second light failure at one of its venues in a week as South Adelaide and the Crows’ game was postponed due to a partial black-out at Noarlunga last night.

Coaches Brad Gotch (South) and Heath Younie (Adelaide) made the decision to return to play their match at 11.30am today after they couldn’t be guaranteed that two light towers at Hickinbotham Oval were reliable before the scheduled match last night.

Late last night the reason for the technical issue was yet to be determined but two of the light towers initially failed to light up before the match.

They were powered up a short time later but went out twice in the lead-up to the match.

The coaches – along with Panthers’ football manager Neil Sharpe, Crows’ counterpart Phil Harper and SANFL general manager Adam Kelly – then had discussions about courses of action.

When informed there was a possibility the lights could go out during the game, players were sent home and the clubs agreed to come back today.

An announcement was made over the public address system a short time later, disappointing the 1372 strong crowd. It was the second time in a two rounds the Crows have been affected by lighting issues, with a last-quarter blackout when scores were level, forcing their match with Glenelg at the Bay to be declared a draw on Anzac Day eve.

“It’s unfortunate; you wouldn’t have thought it could happen two weeks in a row but it’s the same for both teams so we move on pretty quickly and we get prepared to front up (today) at 11.30,’’ Younie said.

Kelly said that had the lights gone out during the first half, the match could not have been recorded as a result and the league felt it was important to reschedule the game for the “integrity” of the competition.

He said the Bay blackout was caused by a storm and could not be helped but admitted last night’s drama was a bad look for the competition. Future scheduled night matches at Noarlunga would not go ahead this year unless South could assure the league the issue wouldn’t be repeated.

South supporter Ashley Littler of Christies Beach, who took his girlfriend and nephew to the game, said he was disappointed at the postponment.

Anyone who paid for a ticket last night will be given free entry today but Mr Littler was unsure whether he could make it. “I took my nephew for a night out and for it to be cancelled was really disappointing,’’ he said.

Kelly said he was sympathetic to fans who paid to get in last night and were unable to attend today.