Game declared a draw. Saints made the trip by bus whilst Essendon could not fly due to weather.

What a shambles and sad for the locals and the Saints, don't care about Essendon.

Good thing we weren't scheduled to play way out in the sticks like most years. I'm actually amazed by that, to be honest.

Steve Johnson's tweet was interesting:

"Surely there was no need 4 a flight 2 Wang... takes 2 hours 10 minutes (on speed limit) from CBD. Hope the cats get 2 play there next year!"

Let them swim with the fishes.

Looking at the weather all week on internet the AFL should never have allowed the flights to go on the day.

What a joke. If i was part of the Aints i would be furious.

Saints should get the 4 points. They were at the ground ready to play. Bombers were not. Simple really.

I swear I thought I heard an interview with a local at that ground that said the bombers trained on it earlier this week. Why wouldn't they just stay there and do a training camp or something?

Yeah Essendon forfeited - in the amateurs if that happens the the team present, gets the points and a 10 goal win for percentage.

I mean the saints got there with no problems. I'm sure their would have been an airport close by they could have gone too and then bused.

Maybe they're scared of the rain since they play inside all the time now!

That's ridiculous, Essendon flew to Wangaratta? What a joke. They should be docked their points for stupidity.

Should be awarded to the Saints. Precious is an understatement.

The fact that St. Kilda managed to get there says plenty, really. Definitely should be a Bummers loss, and that's not just because I hate 'em.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/129979/default.aspx

A coin toss? Really? So Essendon may end up with all four points? Even more ridiculous.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/129979/default.aspx

Oh dear.

  On 03/03/2012 at 11:36, titan_uranus said:

http://www.afl.com.a...79/default.aspx

A coin toss? Really? So Essendon may end up with all four points? Even more ridiculous.

Beat me to it! That would be so disappointing if Essenscum won.

  On 03/03/2012 at 09:45, titan_uranus said:

That's ridiculous, Essendon flew to Wangaratta? What a joke. They should be docked their points for stupidity.

The News report a few days ago was Gloating that the Bombers were going to fly up there in 25 Min's, or similar. And that it would take the Saints 2 plus Hours to go by Bus. The Tone of the report let out to the Media was so Smug & clever.

And now what? The Locals that have been long Looking forward to 2 AFL teams playing in they're Region,,, what a bloody let down for all those people. Just because of the Bombers stupidity.

Not good enough AFL!

Essendon are such arrogant tossers. They deserve nothing but scorn and ridicule for this stupid decision to fly. From Essendon its under 2 hrs by car!

This is real schoolyard stuff. Claiming wins on forfeit or by toss of the coin. Neither side was likely to play off in the finals under this system so what's the big deal?

If they want the points make them play a game at Etihad on Tuesday night and donate the proceeds to charity.

Sainters should've been awarded the points.

lol dons

This makes the AFL look like a joke. As usual, IMO!

The AFL continues to take the fans for granted.

They make the rules to suit themselves. Who makes them accountable for their stuff ups???

These so called administrators, Like Demetriou and co, forget the fans own the game not them. Without us mug supporters this game is nothing. One Billion dollars for TV rights. Yet 6 games to be played today, why not some free to air?? Do we now for go our memberships and or attendance to pay foxtel?? They change the rules, give themselves huge pay packets, add teams that no one wants. Now 40 mill in debt!

Watching the game tonight against Eddiewood, how could you follow some of the rules. Out of bounds free kick, holding the ball, boy its a toss of the coin every time a player touches the ball as to what the umpire is going to pay!! Stop stuffing this game up.

Pinging people for holding the ball when they are tackled as they get the ball is a joke. Seriously. Prior opportunity no longer exists.

  On 03/03/2012 at 07:50, Chook said:

Good thing we weren't scheduled to play way out in the sticks like most years. I'm actually amazed by that, to be honest.

I think that is mainly due to Collingwood, not us.

My wife saw this headline in the HUN and thought there had been a major aviation disaster - Wangaratta match called off after Essendon's plane fails to land.

I grew up in Wangaratta and I think its an absolute disgrace, the time saved by flying instead of driving (when you take into account the commute to and from the airports, boarding time etc.) would have been perhaps 1 hour max. Yet the additional cost would have been huge by flying. Really makes Essendon look like a bunch of toffs.

But i really feel for the local fans who bought all 11,000 tickets! My old man was helping out with a few things on the night and said many of those people were families, who due to financial circumstances, would rarely if ever have the opportunity to see an AFL game. I don't care who gets the points but its a slap in the face for a footy mad town and the local kids who missed out. The AFL needs to arrange something to make it up to them!!!

What a pack of wankers Essendon are. Really, grow a set and sit on a bus for crying out loud. I think they should miss out on the points based on idiocy alone.