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St Kilda: 2.5, 6.7, 9.9, 13.16 (94)
Fremantle: 5.2, 10.5, 12.7, 14.10 (94)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Fremantle 94 points defeated St Kilda 93 points
The game result was officially changed due to technical error.
(See Round 6 Pregame articles for details)
Goals - St Kilda: Gehrig 3, Voss, Blake, Milne 2, Dal Santo, Murray, Montagna, Riewoldt Fremantle: Pavlich 6, Farmer 3, McPharlin 2, Gilmore, Headland, Johnson
Best - St Kilda: Blake, Dal Santo, Ball, Fisher, Voss, Harvey Fremantle: Pavlich, Johnson, Farmer, Bell, J. Carr
Injuries - St Kilda: Hudghton (hand) Fremantle: Nil
Changes - St Kilda: Hamill (back) replaced in selected side by Fiora- Fremantle: Longmuir (general soreness) replaced in selected side by Cook
Reports - Gehrig (StK) by umpire Kennedy for striking J.Carr (Fremantle) in the first quarter; Farmer (Frem) for striking Harvey; Hayes (StK) for attempting to strike Dodd and Hudghton for spitting at McPharlin
Umpires - Vozzo, Kennedy, Nicholls
Hitouts: St Kilda 23, Freo 42
50m Penalties: St Kilda 6, Freo 1
Goals St Kilda: Free 1; Play 7; Mark 5, Freo: Free 2; Play 9; Mark 3
Distance of goals: St Kilda 0-15m 3; 15-30m 4; 30-40m 4; 40+m 2
Freo 0-15m 3; 15-30m 4; 30-40m 2; 40+m 5
How draw drama unfolded AAP/HeraldSun/30April06

St Kilda Football Club Statement
. . . President Rod Butterss and Chief Executive Jim Watts will be attending the Commission meeting on Wednesday, 3rd May and, in response to the AFL's invitation, will also apply for leave for a legal representative to appear on behalf of the Club. The Club will make no further comment prior to the meeting on Wednesday.
The Article saints.com.au/02May06
Why the Commission should not and will not overturn Score saintsRrising/saintsational.com

"Do you go with what should have happened or do you abide by the rules? . . . The only reason Fremantle don't get the points is that if you hide behind the rules . . . Do you lean towards truth and justice because they were in front when the siren sounded (even though it was not loud enough) and it (the match) should have ended then." Leigh Matthews

AFL chiefs leaning toward Docker win
Several AFL commissioners were last night leaning towards delivering the historic decision to retrospectively award Fremantle the four premiership points from Sunday's clash with St Kilda. The Age understands that key AFL directors were not only sympathetic towards the Dockers but were firm in the view that the farcical circumstances that surrounded the completion of the game paved the way for a reversal of the result. Significantly, AFL chairman Ron Evans is understood to have not only privately come down strongly on the side of Fremantle but also believed the game had mechanisms in place to push for a Dockers' victory. Evans and some of his colleagues are believed to respectbut not fear the magnitude and implications of a potential result reversal.
The Article Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall/TheAge/03May06
Hearing underway Angus Morgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/03May06
Umpires keep on Ashley Browne/saints.com.au/03May06
Commission meeting ABCSport/03May06
Drawn game if AFL plays by the rules Tim Lane/TheAge/03May06
Call for Dockers to get 'moral' victory Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall/TheAge/03May06

Hope for Dockers win as meeting called
Written submissions from the clubs must be presented by 10am, and officials and legal representatives of both outfits were last night preparing documents and arguments. St Kilda is planning to use a ruling by the VFL in 1967 as part of its argument that the match result be left as a draw. While many questions were left unanswered at a media conference yesterday after Anderson abruptly exited, an investigation into the farcical finish to the game established:
All three field umpires failed to hear the initial final siren, as reported in yesterday's Herald Sun.
The timekeeper made an error as he did not hold down the siren button until an umpire acknowledged it (as per rule requirements).
The timekeeper had acknowledged his mistake to the investigator.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/02May06
Bookies pay Freo win Adam Hamilton/HeraldSun/02May06
Amateur hour Garry Lyon/HeraldSun/02May06
Patrick Smith update comments
Brave call to alter result, say SaintsDamian Barrett and Mark Robinson/TheAustralian/03May06

'President Rod Butterss and Chief Executive Jim Watts will be attending the Commission meeting on Wednesday, 3rd May and, in response to the AFL's invitation, will also apply for leave for a legal representative to appear on behalf of the Club. The Club will make no further comment prior to the meeting on Wednesday.' Footygoss.com

Decision on Tassie outcome: Wednesday
A meeting of the AFL commission on Wednesday afternoon will determine the outcome of Sunday's controversial drawn match between St Kilda and Fremantle at Aurora Stadium . . . Anderson said the AFL commission was empowered with determining the outcome of the match because it had final authority to deal with the rules of the game. And the commission will be given until Wednesday in order for both the Saints and Dockers to be given enough time to properly present their cases to the AFL.
The Article Sportal/saints.com.au/01May06
Former Saints back draw Jon Pierik and Rebecca Williams/HeraldSun/02May06
Bookies pay Freo win Adam Hamilton/HeraldSun/02May06
St Kilda expects decision to stand Mark Robinson/HeraldSun/02May06
Hope for Dockers win as meeting called Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/02May06
Thriller for TV viewers, horror for AFL Caroline Wilson/TheAge/02May06
Dockers warned to avoid legal action Sam Lienert/TheAge/02May06
Bookies express concern Paul Gough/Sportal/saints.com.au/01May06
Give Freo the points: Lethal Andrew Browne/Sportal/saints.com.au/01May06

"It was in the opening round of 1900 and St Kilda was awarded a victory over Melbourne on protest - their first ever win in the competition having lost every match in their first three seasons - after the game had initially been declared a draw. The league awarded the game to the Saints some six days later after ruling that the field umpire had wrongly allowed a mark to be paid to Melbourne's captain after the final siren. A behind was then scored, making the game a draw but the league ruled the point should be cancelled with the Saints awarded a one-point win". Sportal.com.au
1900 result sets precedent David Hastie/HeraldSun/02May06
Saints are old hands at waiting for a verdict Emma Quayle/TheAge/02May06

"It's a very difficult one and very frustrating for all concerned. I suppose if I'm wearing a Fremantle hat I would be saying realistically, when the siren should have gone, we were in front, so morally we deserve the victory . . . If I'm wearing a St Kilda hat, I say we played by the rules that are in place on the day and the rules in place say the game was a draw so therefore the game should remain a draw." Terry Wallace

Bell will toll
"You will be able to hear the siren back in Melbourne next time." That was the declaration yesterday from Aurora Stadium venue manager Robert Groenewegen, who has kick-started plans to massively boost the volume of the most controversial siren in league history. Groenewegen confirmed the number of horns in the stands will increase from two to 12 in time for the ground's next AFL game on June 18 when Hawthorn and Richmond are scheduled to clash.
The Article Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/02May06
Fan alerted timekeeper to siren debacle Michael Gleeson and Rob Shaw/TheAge/02May06
Aurora's siren to be upgraded following debacle Angus Livingston/TheAdvocate/02May06
Debacle rings alarm bells on betting: Beasley Patrick Bartley/TheAge/02May06
Short siren breached rules: Freo Chip Le Grand/TheAustralian/02May06
Freo lodges protest letter Rob Shaw/TheExaminer/02May06

Commission told to draw its own conclusion
. . . The commissioners might simply decree, therefore, that rules are rules. And like all games before it, the Fremantle-St Kilda match officially stopped only when the umpires heard the siren - maybe as many as 10 seconds after it was timed to finish . . . But rule 10.4.1 gives the commission room to move away from that finding if it feels strongly enough that a draw was the incorrect result. The wording is clear enough. Time-keepers must continue to blow the siren until the field umpire acknowledges the siren has been heard and play is halted. According to the AFL, this did not happen. There was human error. Serious error, Anderson said yesterday.
The Article Patrick Smith/TheAustralian/02May06
Furore 'will galvanise Dockers' Courtney Walsh /TheAustralian/02May06

St Kilda rallies for miner's son
St Kilda helped Addison Knight put an end to his tragic week yesterday. The brave youngster ran through the Saints banner with his AFL heroes as the club did everything it could to help him deal with the loss of his father, Larry, in the Beaconsfield mining disaster. Just hours before news that the other two missing miners had been found alive, Fremantle, the AFL and a grateful Launceston public had also seized the chance to help the devastated community.
The Article Rob Shaw/TheExaminer/01May06

"It does not end when the time keepers decree it has; does not end when Fremantle defender Scott Thornton raises his hands in the air; does not end when Byron Schammer screams at the umpire to blow his whistle; and does not end when coach Chris Connolly runs on to the ground fuming like a furnace. It only ends when an umpire hears the siren". Patrick Smith

Freo demands the points as AFL probes 'draw' fiasco
A furious Chris Connolly has demanded that the AFL hand over the four points to Fremantle after the farcical, drawn finish to the Dockers' game against St Kilda at Aurora Stadium yesterday. The Dockers last night lodged a formal protest with the league, handing an "incident report" with the umpires, after St Kilda's Steven Baker kicked a behind after the siren to tie the scores at 94-94. Adding to the drama, Saints' coach Grant Thomas launched a savage attack on the umpires over their handling of the game.
The Article Martin Blake/TheAge/01May06
Saints show their worst Martin Blake/TheAge/01May06
Dockers appeal Martin Blake/TheAge/01May06
Freo fury at final siren farce Malcolm Conn/TheMurcury/01May06
AFL faces financial backlash from bookmakers ABCSport/01May06
Dockers confident of winning points protest ABCSport/01May06

"The AFL has already said to us that we need a louder siren and that's what we'll be doing . . . The siren certainly went off. We haven't done anything differently and we've had no problems with the siren before. But we've conceded we definitely need a louder siren or perhaps it's time to get more sirens." AURORA Stadium venue manager Robert Groenewegen.

Dockers appeal draw
Fremantle has launched an official protest over today's controversial AFL draw against St Kilda at Aurora Stadium. Dockers officials lodged paperwork with the umpires a few minutes after the match, where the Saints scored 13.16 (94) and Fremantle ended on 14.10 (94). The ground siren's volume was not loud enough all day and field umpire Matthew Nicholls failed to hear it at the end of the game. Fremantle led by a point when the siren went, but Nicholls let play continue, bouncing the ball as Dockers players complained. Approximately nine seconds later, St Kilda's Steven Baker kicked a behind to level the scores before the umpires ended the game. Baker was then given another chance after being awarded a free kick after disposal, but that shot also went through for a point. Dockers coach Chris Connolly and several other bemused Fremantle officials were on the ground as the drama played out. The AFL football operations staff are currently discussing the matter with the umpires and timekeepers.
The Article AAP/HeraldSun/30April06

"It won't be a group of irate punters heading to the AFL today, it will be a group of bookmakers. It's cost my company well into six figures . . . The weekend had been bad enough and that was going to be our salvation. If St Kilda had of won, we would have been heading to the AFL as a lynch party." Centrebet's Gerard Daffy

Carr 'whacked' Gehrig: Thomas
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas believes Fremantle midfielder Josh Carr 'whacked' Saint full-forward Fraser Gehrig, in an incident that led to the dual Coleman Medallist being reported for striking the tenacious Docker at Aurora Stadium on Sunday. Gehrig was reported during the first quarter of the controversial match, which finished in a draw. But Gehrig was also pinged for giving away three 50-metre penalties during the third term and Thomas also understood the big Saint's frustrations.
The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/30April06
Hayes, Farmer to front Scott Spits/Sportal/saints.com.au/02May06 br>
Thomas on razor edge of history
St Kilda supporters are divided and confused over Grant Thomas. Most have a strong opinion one way or the other - is Thomas saviour or villain? The culture at St Kilda when Thomas took over was abysmal. It now appears from the outside to be much better, attracting, developing and retaining players of the highest integrity such as Ball, Dal Santo, Hayes, Maguire, Riewoldt and Koschitzke. The playing list in 2006 is about as good as it gets. Add to the list Hudghton, Hamill, Gehrig and Baker. There is no better top 10 in the AFL - and that is leaving out Harvey, Voss and Fisher! However, for whatever reason, Thomas has been unable to keep even a modest percentage of his top 10 players on the park consistently.
The Article Malcolm Conn/TheAge/01May06
G-Train helps keep Dockers on track Malcolm Conn/TheAge/01May06
Heard the one about the hooter? Malcolm Conn/TheAge/01May06

"If Freo want the umpires mistakes corrected then they should correct them all and not just choose the ones that favour them . . . they need to reinstate the goal to Hayes is well as both players were holding on when the free kick was awarded against Milne". saintsRrising - saintsational.com

Dockers at point of no return
For as long as football has had timekeepers manning bells and sirens, play finishes when the umpires say so. When one of them raises his arms to acknowledge the siren and end proceedings. The Fremantle-St Kilda game was all-square when the umpires officially called a halt, regardless of when the siren might have sounded or should have sounded. The one certainty out of the game is the siren at Aurora Stadium was unforgivably inadequate, a problem that should have been discovered and rectified before a game so important to two finals hopefuls.
The Article Mike Sheahan/HeraldSun/01May06
Dockers protest final siren farce Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/01May06
Draw set in stone, says Thomas Mark Stevens/HeraldSun/01May06
Bookies drawn, quartered Michael Manley/HeraldSun/01May06
What a debacle Derek Humphery-Smith/HeraldSun/01May06

Best three players! "3. Larry, 2. Moe, 1. Curly. What an absolute farce from the first bounce to the final siren! Oh, hang on. There was no final siren! I rest my case". statsman - saintsational.com

League launches probe
The AFL has launched an official investigation into the controversial finish to the St Kilda-Fremantle clash in Launceston on Sunday. The league refused to be drawn on Sunday night into whether the official result - a draw - would stand after St Kilda kicked a behind through Steven Baker after the umpires failed to hear the final siren with the Dockers one point in front. Fremantle launched an official protest after the game after coach Chris Connolly and chief executive Cameron Schwab stated their team should have won the game given they were leading when time officially elapsed. However no decision on the final outcome of the match is expected now until Monday at the earliest.
The Article Paul Gough/Sportal/saints.com.au/30April06

An umpire told Michael Roberts that Baker's free kick was for 'poor disposal back to Baker', if the Freo player did not pass the ball back to Baker surely this is a clear 50m penalty, he therefore he should have been kicking for goal from the goal square.

'Saints should concede win'
The AFL is investigating yesterday's farcical draw between St Kilda and Fremantle after the Dockers claimed victory and lodged a protest with the league. While betting agencies were paying out on a draw last night, the AFL refused to confirm the result. AFL football operations manager Adrian Andersen said the league was not certain of all the circumstances surrounding the end of the match and would study Fremantle's complaint in detail today. Fremantle coach Chris Connolly claimed that St Kilda should concede the match
The Article Martin Blake/TheAustralian/01May06

"One of the umpires said at the end to the Freo guys who were swearing `OK guys, that's 50' and another umpire for some reason just over-ruled and said: `No he's going to take his kick from here'." Grant Thomas

Anderson phones umpires to find answers
Each umpire involved in yesterday's St Kilda-Fremantle match in Launceston has been asked to individually submit a report on the fiasco. Despite claims emergency umpire Brett Rosebury heard a siren before the final ball-up, it is understood all umpires - field, boundary and goal - officiating in the game have told AFL officials they did not hear anything. Field umpires Hayden Kennedy, Mathew Nicholls and Michael Vozzo were contacted immediately after the game by phone by AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson and umpires' boss Jeff Gieschen. None commented when approached by the Herald Sun at Melbourne Airport last night.
The Article Damian Barrett/HeraldSun/01May06
We'll fix sirens Jamie Tate/HeraldSun/01May06

"Quite honesty, I had no idea what was going on . . . There are people in charge to adjudicate the game, but I just had no idea what was going on and from the start of the game, I was quite bamboozled all the way through it, to be honest." Grant Thomas

Dramatic finish confuses Thomas
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas says he could make 'zero' sense from the confusion surrounding the dramatic finish to the clash against Fremantle in Launceston. Thomas said he had 'given up trying to understand' what took place as Steven Baker kicked a behind to level the scores. Remarkably, moments earlier the final siren had actually sounded, although field umpire Mathew Nicholls - who was officiating the area of play - did not hear it, which resulted in play continuing.
The Article Matt Burgan/Sportal/saints.com.au/30April06
How draw drama unfolded AAP/HeraldSun/30April06

"There is plenty of history and that is the way it is and you move on. We don't expect anything. As far as I am concerned, the bookies have paid out, correct weight has been given and we box on." Rod Butterss

AFL Rules re Final Siren
Rule Number 10.4.1 End Of Quarter - The Timekeepers shall sound the siren to signal the end of a quarter until a field umpire acknowledges that the siren has been heard and brings play to an end.
10.4.2 Siren Heard by Field Umpire. Play in each quarter shall come to an end when any one of the field Umpires hears the siren.
Rule Number 10.4.3 Signal - A field umpire shall signal that he or she has heard the siren by blowing a whistle and hold both arms above his or head . . .
Laws of Australian Football 2005 afl.com.au

High drama in Launceston
One of the most controversial matches of the modern era has ended in draw at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Sunday. At this stage St Kilda and Fremantle have picked up two points from the draw, but the bizarre manner in which the match ended is sure to have massive repercussions. The Saints 13.16 (94) drew with the Dockers 14.10 (94) after St Kilda tagger Steven Baker kicked a behind to level the scores. Although the Saints leveled the scores with the last kick of the match, they did not lead at any stage. Just as it seemed Fremantle was set to end its Launceston hoodoo and record its first victory at Aurora Stadium in a premiership match, the Dockers were 'robbed' of a win after the field umpires didn't hear the final siren.
The Article Matt Burgan/saints.com.au/30April06

Chaos denies Dockers
St Kilda's Steven Baker has scored a point after the siren as Fremantle, 14.10 (94), and the Saints, 13.16 (94), fought out a controversial draw at Aurora Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Dockers led by a point as the final siren sounded - with the umpire about to bounce the ball inside the Saints' forward 50 - but it wasn't heard by the men in white. The ball was bounced despite the vehement protests of the Fremantle players, with Baker swooping on a handball from a teammate before drifting his kick to the left to tie up the scores. Baker was given another chance to win the game when he received a free-kick after his original sprayed shot because he was bumped as he kicked it. But he again missed, with the original point cancelled and replaced by his second shot.
The Article Sportal/30April06

Saints not only sinners, Thomas
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has accused Fremantle tormentor Josh Carr of "whacking" Fraser Gehrig in the stomach. Gehrig was reported for striking Carr, but Thomas made it clear the umpires should have taken note of Carr's own tactics in the heated battle at Aurora Stadium. "Fraser was frustrated, but it was quite obvious Josh Carr for everyone to see was whacking him in the stomach," Thomas said. "For some reason umpires see some things and not other things." Gehrig appeared to catch Carr high with a forearm in the first quarter and reacted by lifting his jumper and showing reporting umpire Hayden Kennedy where the blow connected.
The Article Mark Stvens/HeraldSun/01May06

Saints, Dockers stage climatic draw
St Kilda launched a fourth-quarter fight-back to share a thrilling draw with Fremantle in their round five AFL encounter in Launceston today. The Saints kicked 13.16 (94) to the Dockers' 14.10 (94) after trailing their opponents by 16 points at three-quarter time. Greater accuracy on goal in the fourth term could have clinched victory for St Kilda, who kicked 4.7 to Fremantle's 2.3. Steven Baker had the final chance to give the Saints the win in the dying stages of the match, however his shot from inside the attacking 50 went through for a behind. His score was somewhat controversial with Fremantle players claiming the final siren had sounded before the play that led to Baker's shot for goal. Aside from the climatic finish, the match was highlighted by a six-goal performance from Fremantle forward Matthew Pavlich. Jeff Farmer was also among the goals with three majors, and Luke McPharlin added two. Fraser Gehrig led St Kilda's goal scorers with three, while Brett Voss, Stephen Milne and Jason Blake all managed doubles.
The Article ABCSport/30April06
If the final siren rings and an umpire does not hear it does it make a sound? The Article Alex Maier/FootyGoss/30April06

Controversial draw mars Tassie game
St Kilda drew with Fremantle in a drama-filled AFL game at Launceston's Aurora Stadium today. Saints midfielder Steven Baker kicked a behind after the siren to tie the scores, 13.16 (94) to 14.10 (94). Play actually continued for about 30 seconds beyond the siren as the controlling umpire failed to hear it. Baker had two attempts at goal - his first behind was disallowed because he was felled after taking the kick and he earned another shot. The second also earned just one point, enough for a tie. Saints full-forward Fraser Gehrig was reported and Docker Matthew Pavlich was best afield with six goals. Gehrig was also involved in a bizarre incident during the third term.
The Article AAP/HeraldSun/30April06

Confusion reigns as Dockers and Saints draw
The round five match between Fremantle and St Kilda has been declared a draw after the umpires failed to hear the final siren to signal the end of play. Fremantle held a one point lead from the Saints when the siren sounded at the conclusion of the game but had their celebrations cut short when the umpires awarded a free kick to St Kilda. Steven Baker took the free, kicking a behind to close the margin and make the final scoreline 13.16 94 (Saints) to 14.10 94 (Fremantle). The unfortunate end to the game will detract from what should have been a good win for the Dockers. Matthew Pavlich set the tone early, putting the first score on the board for Fremantle, although Fraser Gehrig answered the challenge slotting a quick one for the Saints. Despite dominating the centre clearances in the first quarter the Saints could not match the Dockers up forward.
The Article Alex Maier/FootyGoss/30April06

"Rix can mark the ball and has got a strong body and he can run all day . . . He imposes himself on the game and has a high workrate, which is important." Casey Scorpions coach Peter Banfield on Rix.

Injuries cut down Saints big men
St Kilda's fragile big man department copped another jolt yesterday when Cain Ackland, Barry Brooks and James Gwilt were all injured lining up for VFL affiliate the Casey Scorpions in senior and reserve games against Box Hill. Ackland, 24, dropped from the St Kilda side after an ordinary start to the season, went to Richmond's Epworth Hospital with a suspected broken finger on his right hand, which he sustained during the third quarter. Brooks, 22, booted two early goals, but came off with a strained left hamstring before half-time. He had previously been sidelined with a right hamstring injury. Gwilt, 19, is likely to be X-rayed today to determine the extent of damage to his left ankle after limping off in the first quarter of the reserves game against the Hawks.
The Article Howard Leigh/HeraldSun/30April06
Gehrig escapes, but Hayes not so lucky Sportal/ABCSport/01May06
Tribunal: Saints suffer mixed fortunes Bruce Matthews/HeraldSun/02May06

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