Ararat star Tom Williamson boots five goals to help sink Nhill in preliminary final
Former AFL player Tom Williamson's grand final fate hangs in the balance as vilification allegations from fiery semi-final clash remain unresolved.
Ararat superstar Tom Williamson remains in contention to play in the Wimmera league grand final against Southern Mallee Thunder on Saturday following an incident from a fiery second semi-final remaining unresolved.
The former AFL player produced a starring role in the preliminary final win against Nhill while an alleged vilification of a Thunder player in the second semi-final continues to play out behind the scenes.
Williamson’s five goals played a major part in Ararat turning a five-point halftime deficit into a 57-point win to reach a grand final for the third successive year.
Nhill coach Trevor Ryan said Williamson’s eligibility should have been resolved before the preliminary final.
“We originally thought we might not have to worry about him playing,” Ryan, one of country footy’s most experienced coaches who also worked for AFL Victoria, said.
“But then when he was playing we had to plan accordingly.
“It certainly changed our thinking, but what can you do?
“The situation in the competition is too inconsistent with outcomes presently.
“It was out of our control, but it’s not something we should have had to deal with.”
AFL Victoria’s vilification policy aims to resolve complaints through “investigation and conciliation” with an informal arrangement or agreement between parties involved reached.
But if conciliation fails, the complaint may be referred to a league tribunal for a formal hearing and decision.
Wimmera by-laws state if a vilification charge is sustained the minimum penalty is four matches.
Nhill expressed concerns of “inaction” to the Wimmera league and AFL Victoria on events surrounding Williamson being shown a red card at the start of the final quarter in the second semi-final.
Southern Mallee also wrote to AFL Victoria late last week asking for Williamson’s eligibility to be fast-tracked.
The Wimmera league wrote to clubs last week stating: “No player in last week’s second semi-final has been suspended nor are they ineligible to play”.
Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty declined to comment on one of the biggest finals controversies in Wimmera league history.
“We are looking forward to the grand final,” he said.
“The boys have trained hard since the second semi and we will basically be at full strength.”
Thunder has Jake Garvey and Zac Robins available for selection in the grand final.
Ararat’s Ben Taylor took out the Toohey Medal on Monday night by one vote from Southern Mallee’s Billy Lloyd.
Willamson won the Toohey Medal last year, but only polled eight votes.
Ararat has injury concerns with Sonny Kettle, who was voted the best under 21 player this season, Henry Shea and Jack Ganley.
COUNTRY FOOTY’S WILD WEST
Western Victoria‘s biggest football-netball league is in full-scale damage control with a finals series full of fireworks on and off the field.
The Wimmera league has become country footy’s “wild west” with its chairman taking the unprecedented step of stepping down midway through finals.
A scoring bungle took place in an A-grade netball final followed by the competition’s best player, former Carlton utility Tom Williamson, being able to play in the preliminary final on Saturday and potentially the grand final while an alleged vilification of an opposition player plays out behind closed doors
Video footage proved Ararat beat Southern Mallee at the final whistle of the netball elimination final, but the Wimmera league board refused to overturn Southern Mallee’s “victory” in extra-time.
Last Saturday, Ararat and Southern Mallee met in the senior football second semi-final when Williamson was red-carded at the start of the last quarter.
He had produced one of the all-time great quarters by a player in a Wimmera final with 14 disposals and two goals helping Ararat to a 20-point three-quarter-time lead.
But in his absence, Southern Mallee kicked two goals in time-on to win.
Two days after a police escort was needed for Wimmera league officials and umpires at the semi-final, chairman Billy Ballagh quit.
Events of the past two weekends have been brewing all season.
The Wimmera league made a statement on eve of finals stating, in part, there would be a “zero tolerance approach to any form of disrespectful, abusive or inappropriate behaviour from coaches, players, officials or spectators”.
But tough talk wasn’t followed through, publicly at least.
The board’s secretive and inconsistent governance style regarding disciplinary action – on and off the field – is contributing to poor behaviour it’s trying to stamp out.
Other major leagues across Victoria release match review panel decisions and hold open tribunal hearings. Wimmera does not.
The board’s latest attempt to calm the farm came in a statement from acting chairman Bart Turgoose on Thursday following days of silence since last Saturday.
“The WFNL will not tolerate conduct that undermines the integrity of the league or the wellbeing of those involved,” he said.
“The WFNL board members have also been exposed to unacceptable conduct in recent weeks and while this has resulted in a resignation, the league is not accepting such conduct and will be taking action under all available rules, regulations and policies.”
Ararat president David Hosking said a post-season meeting of club presidents and the Wimmera board should be held to restore goodwill.
“Let’s sit down and find out what the board wants from us clubs and what we want from them as a board,” Hosking said.
“Let’s see if we can find some middle ground and I think you would find every club would be willing to do that.
“But it’s got to be a two-way street.”
Nhill plays Ararat in the preliminary final at Horsham City Oval on Saturday and Nhill president Dan Colbert said “things aren’t good” presently.
“If I’m being honest, things aren’t good on many fronts,” Colbert said.
“We’ve got a great league, but the competition needs to be run how it deserves to be run.”
WILLIAMSON FREE TO PLAY IN PRELIMINARY FINAL
Ararat’s Tom Williamson will be playing in the Wimmera league preliminary final on Saturday despite being red-carded in the second semi-final loss against Southern Mallee Thunder.
The Wimmera league late on Thursday sent a “statement to clubs” stating “no player in last week’s second semi-final has been suspended nor are they ineligible to play”.
Williamson, the reigning Toohey Medallist, received two yellow cards in the second semi-final and was sent from the ground after being shown a red card at the start of the last quarter.
The former AFL player accepted a reprimand for the incident that led to the first yellow card being issued.
But details about the reasons for the second yellow card being issued were also included in the “statement to clubs” from interim chairman Bart Turgoose.
“While a formal breach has not been issued at this stage, there is a policy breach matter that is subject to preliminary assessment in accordance with National Policies that stipulate confidentiality throughout the process,” the statement to clubs said.
“The WFNL are unable to make further comment and appropriate management of the matter continues.”
The Weekly Times contacted AFL Victoria for comment this week.
“Alleged vilification cases are managed by the league/governing body in the first instance and where conciliation is required, that service is provided by the AFL,” a spokeswoman said.
CHAIRMAN QUITS
The Wimmera league has plunged into crisis with chairman Peter Ballagh quitting and the competition’s best player in danger of missing the rest of the finals series.
Ballagh’s resignation, effective immediately, follows a string of controversies including the A grade netball elimination final scoring bungle and Ararat’s Tom Williamson being red-carded at the start of the last quarter of the second semi-final against Southern Mallee Thunder.
Police were called to the Minyip ground on Saturday to provide protection for the Wimmera board and umpires.
An earlier decision to bring forward the Wimmera preliminary final to go head-to-head with the Horsham District grand final on Saturday has also caused angst.
Bart Turgoose has been appointed acting chairman.
“Finals are a time of strong emotions and deep passion,” he said.
“However, in these moments, it’s important that we all take a step back and consider how we respond, ensuring our actions reflect the values that unite us.
“We are disappointed by some actions of leaders within our league following a board decision that impacted last weekend’s netball finals result.”
Ararat president David Hosking said: “I have done nothing but treat them with the utmost respect, but I’m not happy with them and I won’t pretend otherwise.
“If you want respect from member clubs it’s a two-way street.”
Hosking was highly critical of the board’s handling of the netball scoring controversy after video footage proved Ararat led at the final whistle by one goal and no extra time required.
Southern Mallee was ahead after extra time and advanced to the first sem-final which it lost.
The Weekly Times sought confirmation on why Williamson was issued with two yellow cards, but the league has a policy of not disclosing disciplinary matters.
Hosking said Williamson had accepted a reprimand for rough conduct that led to the first yellow card and the club was awaiting details of the second charge.
In Williamson’s absence in the second quarter, Thunder opened a 22-point halftime lead before his return in the third quarter and move into the midfield sparked an eight-goal third term from Ararat.
Williamson collected 14 possessions and kicked two goals in the Rats’ third quarter blitz, but the dramas weren’t over.
Umpires informed Williamson he had received a second yellow card before the start of the final term with Ararat holding a 20-point lead.
The issuing of a second yellow card means a player receives a red card and can take no further part in the match.
Thunder booted five goals to one to win by seven points and advance to the grand final.
“It was a gutsy win to run the game out the way we did,” Thunder coach Kieran Delahunuty said.
“It shows there is a lot of belief in the group.
“The week off will be invaluable, but we will be right to go for the grand final.”
Kai Sheers levelled the scores for Thunder with five minutes to go and shortly after Xavier Oakley booted another goal to put it six points up.
Ararat’s other co-coach Tom Mills returns from a one-match suspension for the preliminary final against Nhill.
Williamson, who had the most score involvements in the match despite missing more than a quarter of the game, has been appointed coach of Ararat next season and is the hot favourite to win back-to-back Toohey Medals.
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