Press Release | The McDonald’s Ballarat Football Netball League can confirm that the Lake Wendouree FNC has been officially awarded the win and that the result will stand following the unfortunate circumstances that saw the lights go out at the City Oval on Saturday night.
AFL Laws of the Game were enforced in order to reach this outcome, specifically rule 10.6.2 c)
which states:
10.6.2 Incomplete Match
If a Match is unable to commence or continue within the time scheduled for the Match for reasons beyond the control of either Team (including circumstances where it is unsafe for the Match to proceed) the following shall apply:
(c) Half Time & Beyond: If the Half Time interval has been reached and the Match is unable to proceed at any time within the time scheduled for the Match, the Teams shall leave the Arena, or in the case of Half Time, not return to the Arena. If the Match is unable to recommence within a 30-minute period, the scores of the Teams at the time the Match was interrupted shall be deemed to be the final scores of the Match. The Team with the highest score shall be deemed the winner of the Match and the scores shall be used in calculating the percentage of each Team.
In what was otherwise a hugely successful night that saw the newly renovated City Oval open for
competition following a $1.6million renovation that included an upgrading of the surface, brand new
competition standard lights and works on the surrounds of the ground.
BFNL Operations Manager Shane Anwyl said, “It’s a real shame that the night ended the way it did after seeing so many people attend the match between Redan and Lake Wendouree at this newly renovated venue that looks amazing. We’ve been in constant communication with both clubs since the lights went out and been up front about what happens in situations where a game is officially called off. We understand there will be many people upset and frustrated by what took place and the League will be working with Council to ensure this situation does not occur again.”
The Redan FNC are scheduled to play another night game this weekend against the East Point FNC at the City Oval. If the lights can be switched on via the main power source at the Reserve, the match will be remain a night game however if a generator is still required, the League will work with all parties to change the games to day matches and normal start times will apply.
As soon as the Ballarat FNL has confirmation where the power source for the lights will need to come from this Saturday night, another statement will be released confirming the start times for the Round 4 matches between Redan and East Point.
