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2005 Grand Final

Grand Final Disqualification

We look back at the controversial 2005 Division 1 Grand Final. Blackwood/Cherry Gardens regulars Clive Sim and Jan Graebner were going to the Masters Games in Darwin at the end of the season. However, the event dates were changed and Clive and Jan realized they would be away if Blackwood/Cherry Gardens made the Grand Final. Past Blackwood player Neil Manning was brought into the team to get qualified to play finals,(minimum 2 games in each half of season, 5 total). Neil played his first game and needing 1 more in the first half of the season to qualify, arrived at Cherry Gardens Hall, and there was a power blackout. After waiting around for a while, the players were told by ETSA that the power would be off for a considerable time. Blackwood/Cherry Gardens forfeited the match that night to Hahndorf, and Neil didn't get credited with his second game in the first half of the season. Neil did end up playing the minimum 5 games before finals started. Rob Mallee was brought up from a lower Division to replace Jan Graebner. After an amazingly close and hard fought Grand Final, most of the Hahndorf players were happy to let the result stand as a win to Blackwood/Cherry Gardens. However, it would only take an objection from Hahndorf and the Permit Committee found in their favour. The following article was written by John Thomas and published in The Courier on September 21 2005 and reproduced with their permission.