Northern Football League board hands down decision on washed out games

The Northern Football League board has made a call on the weekend’s washed out games with the decision having major finals ramifications.

Thomastown’s James Rizzolio kicks a goal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Northern Football Netball League board has handed down its findings after the weekend’s freak weather event.

Five games across the league’s three divisions were abandoned as wild weather lashed Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Two games in both Division 1 and Division 2 were called off at half-time while one game was halted in Division 3.

The NFNL board met on Monday to decide whether the weekend’s results should be confirmed or voided under the league’s by-laws.

The decisions have major ramifications for finals, particularly in Division 2 where it was the final home-and-away round.

Jared Crosbie in action for North Heidelberg. Picture: Valeriu Campan

As it stands all Round 17 matches in Division 1 have been declared void and no premiership points, percentages or best-and-fairest votes will be awarded.

The Heidelberg-Macleod clash at Warringal Park and North Heidelberg-Montmorency match at Shelley Reserve were both called off at half-time.

However, as all games started the board declared games would count towards players career tallies and all reports and cards would still apply.

The decision sees clubs revert to points, percentage and ladder position as it was at the start of the round.

It ensures North Heidelberg remains in the finals hunt ahead of the final match of the season, needing to beat Bundoora and Greensborough to lose to Macleod.

In contrast, Division 2 results will stand,

The board deemed the two matches called off were done so in breach of the league’s by-laws.

It was determined the Lower Plenty-Panton Hill match at Montmorency Park and Diamond Creek-Fitzroy Stars at Coventry Oval should not have been abandoned.

Thomastown’s Tyrone Leonardis tries to escape a tackle. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A league statement said the decisions were made in error and the round’s results would stand.

“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 statement read.

“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 (and) all other results from this division shall also remain as of the conclusion of their match.”

It’s good news for Thomastown, which defeated St Mary’s at Whatmough Park to clinch fifth place and complete a miraculous late-season recovery.

A voided round would have seen the Burras reinstated in fifth and Thomastown relegated to seventh.

Instead, the Bears will place Diamond Creek in an elimination final on Saturday, while Lower Plenty will face Banyule in a qualifying final.

Thomastown president Rob Mazniovski was a relieved man.

“We feel it was the right decision and we’ll just focus on Sunday,” he said.

DIV 1: NORTH HEIDELBERG WAITS ON LEAGUE DECISION

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DIV 2: THOMASTOWN’S MIRACLE COMEBACK COMPLETE

“We all play in similar areas so I couldn’t see why some games were called off and we played on and the board agrees.

“I’d like to thank all the Division 2 club presidents and officials the called to voice their support for our club, it’s much appreciated.”

In Division 3, South Morang and Laurimar will contest the major semi-final and Old Eltham Collegians will play Kilmore in the minor semi-final.

The Division 3 clash between Kilmore and Reservoir at Clancy Reserve, which was called off, will be awarded to Kilmore.