The sound of one hand clapping after Freo-St Kilda farcical finish

Ken has asked me to resume my post on Club Troppo, as post-modernist AFL curmudgeon in residence. Since I find blathering on about football almost irresistible, and my cat is tired of hearing my views, I’ve decided to accept Ken’s invitation.

Of course the big news of the weekend was the draw involving St. Kilda and Fremantle, where the umpires failed to hear the siren, with Fremantle one point up, which allowed St. Kilda to snatch a draw.

There is no doubt that Fremantle has been robbed. Blame for the fiasco lies with the timekeepers, who failed to obey the relevant law, which states that the siren should be sounded until acknowledged by at least one of the field umpires, at which point the game ends. You can be sure sirens will be ringing loud and clear at AFL grounds for the next few weeks.

The AFL are investigating, and Fremantle actually asked St. Kilda to concede the game, a gesture that seems hopelessly romantic. I think Fremantle must be careful to not carry on about it too much, in case they make themselves look even more foolish then usual. The AFL’s predecessor, the VFL, have altered results before, but it hasn’t been done for a hundred years.

While I am sympathetic to Fremantle’s plight, rules are rules, and the rules clearly do state that the game does not end until the field umpires say it is over. AFL football, like life, is not fair.

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