A bungled score in a western Victorian netball final has cost the league’s most senior official his role and fuelled ongoing tensions between two rival clubs.
Wimmera Football Netball League (WFNL) chair Peter Ballagh has resigned a week after the elimination final between the Ararat Rats and Southern Mallee Thunder.
The match ended in a draw before the Thunder claimed victory in extra time, prompting concerns from the Rats about a scoring discrepancy.
After reviewing game footage, Ararat Football Netball Club president David Hosking claimed the club was ahead at full time.
“We wholeheartedly disagree with the decision. It’s not a good decision, and in community sport, clearly the wrong team has been awarded the win,” Mr Hosking said.
Following an investigation, the league acknowledged that Ararat had won the match but chose not to overturn the result, citing that both clubs had signed the scoresheet immediately after the match.
“This signing indicates both teams’ satisfaction with the recorded result as it stood at that time,” the league said in a letter to the club.
However, the club was far from satisfied.
“It should never happen, but it’s a finals situation and we have to reluctantly accept that decision and move on,” Mr Hosking said.
With the next round of finals already underway, Ararat was forced to accept the outcome.
“We don’t think the league board are bad people — we think they’re good people who’ve made a bad decision.”
AFL Victoria said the decision had been managed under the league’s by-laws and declined to comment.
Rivalry extends to football
Southern Mallee defeated Ararat in a hotly contested football final at the weekend. (Supplied: Georgia Hallam)
The two clubs met again last weekend this time, for a game of football at Alexandra Oval in Ararat.
After an undefeated season, the Rats were beaten by the Thunder in a tense encounter.
The seesawing affair resulted in the Thunder winning by one goal, with Ararat captain-co-coach and former Carlton AFL-listed player Tom Williamson red-carded at three-quarter time.
As a precaution due to crowd behaviour, league officials and board members were escorted from the field by police.
League officials were escorted away by police as a safety precaution after Saturday’s match. (AAP: Joe Castro)
WFNL acting chair Bart Turgoose reminded the community of the league’s values.
“Country football should be a source of pride and connection for everyone — players, officials, families, and supporters alike,” Mr Turgoose said.
While Ararat’s netball season has ended, the senior football team remains in the premiership hunt.
The club will play in a preliminary final this weekend against Nhill, with a potential rematch against Southern Mallee on the horizon.
A passionate rivalry already existed between the two clubs that have faced off against each other in the last two grand finals.
Mr Hosking expressed concern about spectator behaviour at community sporting events and urged fans to avoid confrontations with the opposition.
“There’s a pretty strong rivalry being built, and there’s no love lost,” he said.
“That’s the way sport should be — but it should stay on the ground.”