ST KILDA has announced that it won't demand the four points from the abandoned NAB Cup clash with Essendon, even though Bombers coach James Hird says the Saints deserve to be credited with the win.
The match was called off after two flights carrying Essendon players were turned around after being unable to land in Wangaratta due to poor weather.
The Saints were already at the ground and went on to play an intra-club match in heavy conditions after the AFL decreed that each team would be awarded two points.
St Kilda immediately voiced its displeasure at the decision to award the game a draw and Essendon coach James Hird said they were well within their rights to expect to be awarded all four points.
"The AFL will make the decision but I can understand why St Kilda want the four points. They are probably theirs, they got to the ground and we didn't. No one at Essendon would begrudge St Kilda getting the four points," Hird said at Windy Hill on Sunday morning.
But in a statement on Sunday morning St Kilda said it would not formally seek to be awarded the win.
The statement said it was "inappropriate to assess the circumstances surrounding Essendon’s non-arrival from Melbourne.
"St Kilda Football Club has resolved that it will accept the final decision of the AFL.
"We remain more concerned for the City of Wangaratta and the disappointment that was experienced by the local community who supported the game despite extreme weather conditions," St Kilda's head of football, Chris Pelchen, said.
Hird said he was not fussed about how the abandoned game was decided as his mindset had already shifted to this Friday night's clash with the Sydney Swans.
"I haven't spoken to our club about what we are going to do but if St Kilda are pushing for the four points, I don't think we can jump up and down about it. and if the AFL decided they get the four points well so be it," he said.
The Bombers have come in for some criticism for choosing to fly to the Victorian country town rather than embark on a three-hour drive.
But Hird said the club went to the effort of organising contingency plans and relied on expert advice the whole time.
"The thing is we were guaranteed by the airline all through the day, all through Friday that we would get there. We had a bus on standby from Friday lunchtime to go up if need be," he said.
"But the airline kept telling us as close to 2pm (on Saturday) there would be no problem and you'll land in Wangaratta. Both myself and (Essendon official) Danny Corcoran as we got on the plane asked the pilot 'Are you sure we are going to be OK to get there?' and he said yes. You can only take the expert's opinion and that's what we've done."
Hird apologised to the people of Wangaratta, who had bought every available ticket for the game, but admitted there was more to the idea of flying in and flying out than simply aiding his players' recovery.
"There was a bit of a mix up with some of the accommodation in early January so that was the first reason we thought about flying. We needed to get back by last night for preparation for the Friday game on a six-day break," he said.
"There were some circumstances that have all come together to prevent us getting there but the majority was the fact that the weather was terrible and no one can control that."
Several Essendon players struggled with the rocky flight, with some physically ill. Hird said young star Dyson Heppell was shaken up more than most.
"I have never seen him so sick. If you can have a smile and a laugh at the end of it … it was a very serious situation as I keep saying; we are apologetic and disappointed for the people of Wangaratta," he said.
"But seeing Dyson Heppell's face when he got off the plane and how relieved he was, was a bright moment."
Luke Holmesby is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter - @AFL_LHolmesby
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