Victorian Amateur Football Association: Ivanhoe’s last game of the season ends after lights fail at Old Brighton

Despite missing finals, Ivanhoe was looking to go out on a high against finals-bound Old Brighton. Then the lights went out.

Before the lights went out, the Ivies were just starting to get on top Picture: ALISTAIR KNOX)

Ivanhoe’s VAFA Division 1 women’s season ended in controversy after a twilight game against Old Brighton was called off when floodlights went out during a nailbiting third quarter on Saturday night.

The final-round clash at the Brighton Beach Oval was a dead rubber for the fifth-placed Ivies, who’ll missed the finals for the first time in three seasons, but the stakes were higher for the second-placed Old Brighton, with a double-chance in finals at risk with a loss.

After a tight first half, the Tonners clung to a two-point lead, 1.5 to 1.3, but the Ivies appeared to be gaining the upper hand when the lights went out with 10 minutes to go in the third quarter and Old Brighton a point in front.

“The Ivies were in attack and looking dangerous,” Ivanhoe coach Leighton Pearce said. “Some near misses brought the score to within one point and our supporters and bench were full of praise and excitement.

“Then suddenly the lights went out. Game Over!”

Lighting at the ground is controlled by a timer to prevent lights being left on after the game, Saturday was the third time this season the lights have gone off prematurely.

Pearce was told by Old Brighton officials that Bayside City Council was responsible for having timed out the ground lights, “even though Old Brighton thought this had been corrected”.

“Unfortunately this has been a recurring issue at their ground,” he said. “Old Brighton came into the Ivies’ rooms to apologise and congratulate our players on a high standard game.”

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Ivanhoe and Old Brighton do battle Picture: ALISTAIR KNOX

The four match points were awarded to Old Brighton but VAFA football operations manager Sam Confait said the matter would be investigated by a sub-committee.

He said under VAFA rules, if a game gets called off before full-time, premiership points are usually awarded to the team in front at halftime.

“But because this has happened at Old Brighton before, it will have to go before the football sub-committee,” he said. “It’s out of Old Brighton’s control – it comes back to the council,” Confait said.

In Round 11, the lights timed out during a top-of-the-table clash between Old Brighton and Old Scotch and points were shared despite Old Scotch having a commanding lead over the home side.

A spokesman for Brighton City Council said the lighting problem at Brighton Beach Oval would be reviewed.

“Sportsground lighting systems use timers to prevent lights being left on overnight – a historical issue that has a negative impact on residential amenity. The timers are set to match the times clubs have requested to use the sportsground,” Steven White, director of environment, recreation and infrastructure said. “We will review whether council was notified of the scheduled finishing time at Brighton Beach Oval on 27 July. Council recently wrote to clubs to remind them of the need to advise game times to ensure lighting timers are set to match.”

Pearce said, despite the lighting debacle, the Ivies celebrated the season’s end in good spirits.

“The feeling was they had matched it with the best but, unfortunately, lost a few pivotal games against teams below us. We’ve lots of new and exciting players looking forward to the 2020 campaign,” he said.

Best players were Zoe McWhinney, Rachel McLean, Georgia Scarce, Anita Dolzan, Nikki Tumblety and Emily Johnson (one goal).

Lachie Roberts is chaired off by teammates after his 150th game Picture: ALISTAIR KNOX

BIG WIN BOOSTS SURVIVAL HOPES

Meanwhile, Ivanhoe’s Division 2 men, scored a 51-point win over Hawthorn at Rathmines Road Reserve, 13.15 (93) to 5.12 (42).

It was Ivanhoe’s fourth win of the season and virtually guarantees they will avoid relegation.

After the siren, Ivanhoe utility Lachie Roberts was chaired off by teammates in recognition of his 150th club game in 10 seasons.

Ivanhoe coach Mario Bandera said he was pleased with his side’s efforts after quarter-time, especially the backline led by Gerard Gilder, Conor Mitchell and Nathan Valkanis.

“From quarter time we stepped up our game mentally and physically – really powerful growth within our game is a really good indicator of our development – our 23 scoring shots to their eight after quarter time was reward for that step up in application and execution, and validation of the work we put in during the week,” he said.

“Our back six have been awesome all year. We changed personal there on Saturday to shore up other areas and the synergy in the defensive unit didn’t miss a beat. Solid defence is giving us powerful offence lately.”

Ivanhoe will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins against Powerhouse on Saturday when the club hosts a 50th anniversary reunion luncheon for its 1969 B Grade premiership team.

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