Essendon has indicated its desire to play a pre-season match in Wangaratta during the 2013 NAB Cup after the AFL confirmed a pre-season fixture would be held at the Wangaratta Showgrounds Oval next year.

 

Following on from the cancellation of the Saturday March 3 game between Essendon and St Kilda, AFL General Manager Football Operations Adrian Anderson said the competition wanted certainty for football fans in the VCFL and the Wangaratta region that the disappointment from earlier this month would be recognised with a match next year.

 

""The AFL has been in regular discussions with the Wangaratta Rural City Council, since the weekend of March 3, and has now locked in a match in next year's NAB Cup,"" Mr Anderson said.

 

""The teams to be fixtured for Wangaratta will be subject a final decision when the draw is determined in October but Essendon has indicated it will seek to play as one of the teams scheduled at the venue.”

 

Essendon Chief Executive Ian Robson said the club had planned a number of positive initiatives for the community in Wangaratta.

 

“Following the cancellation of the match, we have been working closely with the two football clubs and local council in Wangaratta to reach a positive outcome for the wider community.""

 

""We have indicated to the AFL our desire to play a NAB Cup game in the region next year and we will explore other community engagement opportunities.""

 

""We understand this has affected many people in the local area and together with the AFL will meet those costs incurred by the Council and the clubs as a result of the game being cancelled.""

 

""Most importantly, for the many young kids at the ground who missed the opportunity to see their heroes, a number of players will visit Wangaratta next week.""

 

Mr Anderson said Essendon and the AFL had resolved that the City Council and the two Ovens and Murray football clubs directly involved would not be left with any residual expenses caused by the cancellation of the March 3 match.

 

""The City Council and local clubs had been preparing for the game for some months and put in considerable work to readying the venue, as well as purchasing food and drinks around the expected crowd for the match.

 

""Essendon and the AFL have determined to meet those costs incurred by the Council and the clubs, as they should not suffer any penalty for the match not going ahead.""

 

The Wangaratta Rural City Council said it was pleased with the outcome, especially for the two Ovens and Murray clubs involved.

 

“In our discussions with the AFL and Essendon, it was always the aim to recover costs and establish with the AFL a platform for the future,” Council CEO Doug Sharp said.

 

“This outcome achieves that. It provides certainty and clarity and gives all parties a chance to reload for the future.

 

“We appreciate the willingness of all parties to reach a mutually acceptable outcome, and particularly that of the AFL, which has been extremely co-operative and understanding of the situation.

 

“This outcome rules a line under an unfortunate set of circumstances and allows us to move forward and look to make next year’s AFL NAB Cup game at Wangaratta another sell out.”

 

VCFL North East Area Manager John O’Donohue said he was delighted the matter had been resolved.

 

“Although we are naturally disappointed the game was unable to proceed, having a NAB Cup match confirmed for 2013 is a positive outcome for country football. We are grateful to the City of Wangaratta and the AFL, for reaching an outcome that addresses the concerns of the two Ovens and Murray Clubs directly involved and allows planning to commence for a match in Wangaratta early next year.”