THE city of Wangaratta has lost thousands of dollars in revenue because a scheduled AFL match and the popular Wangaratta Cup were washed out.

The council, local businesses, sports associations and the State Government spent about $70,000 promoting the weekend that was to include a NAB Cup match between St Kilda and Essendon on Saturday and the running of the Wangaratta Cup yesterday.

Both were cancelled due to flooding.

Wangaratta acting mayor, Doug McPhie, said the community had invested considerable time, effort and money into making the weekend a success.

"We are very, very, very disappointed about what happened," Cr McPhie said.

"It was the culmination of years of effort. The game had sold out."

Locals yesterday said they were disappointed at Essendon for flying to the town rather than following the lead of St Kilda and making a 2 1/2 hour journey by bus from Melbourne.

The plane was forced to return to Melbourne after it was unable to land.

Wangaratta Magpies president Paul Challman said Essendon's no-show was "almost soul destroying".

The Magpies and another club Wangaratta Rovers provided catering for the game and losses could be as high as $40,000.

Mr Challman said he was unsure whether he would ask the AFL or Essendon to cover losses.

By John Dagge

Article first appeared Herald Sun March 05, 2012