Vol. No. Vol. 2818No. 1127
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Wednesday, January 10, 13, 2025 2016 Wednesday, September
HIGHEST ACCOLADE: Horsham District Football Netball League hosted its best and fairest awards on Monday night, in front of hundreds of people at Coughlin Park Community Centre. Pictured is Dellar medallist Matthew Rosier, of Pimpinio, who won the senior football best and fairest, and Michele Mibus medallist Lavinia Fox, playing coach of EdenhopeApsley, who took out the A Grade netball best and fairest. Full coverage, pages 44 and 45. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Finals fiasco
A
BY LAUREN HENRY
tumultuous week for the Wimmera Football Netball League has resulted in the resignation of its chairman.
Peter ‘Billy’ Ballagh announced on Monday his resignation, effective immediately, following a tough week at league headquarters. The controversy began with a scoring discrepancy that altered the result of an A Grade netball elimination final on August 31, prompting Ararat Football Netball Club to call for a review and independent investigation. The WFNL board came under fire after ruling that although agreeing that Ararat was ahead 48-47 at the final siren upon review of the match video, because both captains signed the scoresheet, Southern Mallee
Thunder would retain the win. The Thunder had gone on to win 62-55 in extra time, ending Ararat’s season. Ararat argued league bylaws were not followed because its scorer did not sign the scoresheet. Tensions then boiled over at Minyip on Saturday, as a fiery and physical senior football semi-final played out between Ararat and Southern Mallee Thunder. Rats co-coach and last year’s league best and fairest Tom Williamson received two yellow cards, which resulted in him being sent from the field on two occasions. Ararat, previously undefeated this season, went on to lose the match by seven points, but will play in this Saturday’s preliminary final. Unruly crowd behaviour resulted in police being called to escort match
officials and board members. Tense talks between the board and Rats officials ensued on Sunday, when Ararat hosted the WFNL’s first semifinal. It is understood Williamson has accepted a reprimand for rough conduct relating to the first yellow card and yesterday, the club was awaiting details of the second charge. The WFNL refuses to comment on any tribunal cases, or make public any information about the hearings. With the resignation of Mr Ballagh, board member Bart Turgoose has stepped in as acting chairman until the league’s annual general meeting. Mr Turgoose said finals were a time of strong emotions and passion, reflecting how much clubs and communities cared about the competition.
“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,” he said. Mr Turgoose said Saturday’s events were ‘concerning’ and ‘completely unacceptable in community sport’. “We are disappointed by some actions of leaders within our league following a board decision that impacted last weekend’s netball finals result,” he said. “I think that this is a terribly sad way to sort of almost wrap up our finals series by what has occurred in the last couple of weeks. “I think the thing is that not everyone is ever going to agree with decisions you make ... you’re allowed to disagree with someone’s opinion, but it should never be personal.”
Mr Ballagh served on the board for the past four years, fulfilling various board roles before becoming chairman. Mr Turgoose said volunteering as a board director required significant personal commitment, much of which happened behind the scenes and often went unnoticed. He said Mr Ballagh had given considerable time and effort to the WNFL, and oversaw many changes and positives, including the introduction of the league’s women’s and girls’ football competitions. “He’s been our chair through what I would say this year has been probably one of the toughest years of football and netball,” he said. Continued page 3
IN THIS ISSUE • Restaurant owner in court • AgVic jobs to be cut • Hockey grand finals Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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