THE Western Region Football League has been plunged into crisis after an unprecedented strike of umpires led to the cancellation of all games in the division 1 and 2 senior and reserves competitions on Saturday.
It's believed the whistle blowers are at loggerheads with WRFL-appointed umpires manager Terry Gunn.
A leading WRFL official described the umpires' strike as "devastating''.
A highly respected club official said: "It's the saddest day in my time in the league which goes back nearly 30 years.''
The official, who declined to be named because of the threat of being slapped with a fine under the WRFL's media policy, backed the umpires.
"There's a fair bit of anger out there,'' he said. "But most of it is directed at the [WRFL] executive. Personally, I'm very sympathetic as to what's going on with the umpires.
"Mate, they're nice people. The people at the top, president Henry McFerran and secretary Terry O'Donnell, have got a lot of integrity. They aren't being treated with any respect at all.''
The official isn't sure about whether players will be back in action this Saturday.
"Everyone is in the dark about what is happening.''
"The umpires are still on strike. That's all I know. If they come back to work, we'll play the next round. I think this round is dead and buried.''
The umpires' strike has sent shock waves around the WRFL. The likelihood of round 12 not being played in both division 1 and 2 has thrown the race for the premiership in the respective competitions into chaos.
Sides gunning for an all-important top-three finish may see their chances of grabbing the ultimate glory ruined.
Some sides may miss the finals as a result.
Competition best and fairest awards will also be affected.
It's believed to be the first time a round of games has been abandoned because of an umpires strike in the long and proud history of the WRFL (formerly the Footscray District Football League), which dates back to 1931.
WRFL media manager Kevin Hillier issued a statement on behalf of the WRFL late on Friday afternoon.
It read: "Please be advised that the WRFL Umpires Association has resolved to withdraw their services from WRFL games and will not be making themselves available for official WRFL umpiring appointments.
"This action is inconsistent with the resolutions that were made by the WRFL clubs at the committee of management meeting on June25. Specifically, that football should be played in season 2009 and that an umpires forum deal with all umpiring matters for the remainder of the season 2009.
"While the WRFL had organised for all games to be played, there are not enough umpires available for senior and reserve games this weekend. Unfortunately, this will mean that division 1 senior and reserves and division 2 senior and reserves games will not be played this weekend.
"The WRFL is hopeful that the WRFL Umpires Association and WRFL member clubs are able to resolve this matter on or before the next committee of management meeting scheduled for July 7.''
Hillier was unavailable for comment when contacted by The Advocate on Sunday morning. Games in the WRFL's under-18A and B competitions were played on Saturday with clubs providing their own umpires.
The same deal ensured under-age games were played on Sunday.
Round 13 draw: Division 1: West Footscray v Port Melbourne Colts, Albion v Hoppers Crossing, Spotswood v Glenorden, Altona v Sunshine Heights, St Albans v Sunshine.
Division 2: Braybrook v Albanvale, North Sunshine v Laverton Magpies, North Footscray v Wyndhamvale Falcons, Yarraville-Seddon v Deer Park, Parkside v Coburg Districts.
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