Central Highlands match abandoned after players, umpires report signs of hypothermia

A country footy game near Ballarat was called off on Saturday after players and umpires reportedly suffered signs of hypothermia amid the wet and wintry conditions.

A CHFL match was called off at half-time on Saturday.

A Central Highlands Football League match was called off at half-time with players and umpires reportedly suffering signs of hypothermia.

Up to six Springbank players were unable to continue the senior game against Newlyn due to the wet and wintry conditions at Newlyn Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

All boundary umpires also withdrew.

Newlyn was awarded four premiership points after it led the match 2.11 (23) to 1.3 (9) with two quarters completed.

It’s understood Springbank officials informed the hosts at half-time it was facing the prospect of playing short if the game continued.

It’s the third time Newlyn has had a senior match abandoned this season, with it splitting the points with Hepburn and Buninyong after both clashes were called off before half-time.

Under AFL Victoria rules, the scores stand once a match reaches the halfway point.

Newlyn, located 124km northwest of Melbourne, was hit with up to 15mm of rain on Saturday, with winds reaching up to 35km/h.

Springbank said in a statement on Saturday night that player and umpire welfare was its priority.

“The game was called off at half-time after consultation with both clubs and umpires,” the club said.

“Player and umpire welfare in atrocious conditions needed to be considered. Newlyn declared the winner as they were in front at half-time.”

Newlyn senior coach Jarrett Giampaolo said the conditions made it “one of the worst games that I’ve been involved in”.

“It was a shocking day – the oval was absolutely cooked and you wouldn’t have been able to find too many blades of grass left on there,” he said.

“The Springbank guys came in (at half-time) and said they had a fair few that were really struggling.

“I’ve probably played and coached about 300 games and I don’t think I’ve ever had an abandoned game ... you come to this year and we’ve had three – it’s pretty insane, to be honest.

“We had to get the four points to stay in touch with the finals – if we’re going to get four points and just play a half of footy, we’re happy with that.”

The Central Highlands Football League and Springbank have been contacted for further comment.