It is often said that this playoff match was required only because, in addition to having equal win-loss records, Collingwood and South Melbourne finished with an equal record of goals scored and goals conceded; this version of events is given in several modern references [REF].
Collingwood and South Melbourne initially discussed playing the match on 26 September anyway, in spite of the Association's decision, but this proved to be unworkable as the Association would not provide an umpire [REF].