A defiant Gisborne says it won’t play in the Bendigo Football Netball League next year despite its application to join the Ballarat Football Netball League being knocked back.
The Bulldogs were told officially on Wednesday that AFL Victoria had knocked back their application to change leagues.
The club had been seeking to leave the Bendigo league to join the Ballarat league, for a number of reasons including financially.
The Ballarat league clubs had voted in resoundingly in favour of the move along with Bulldogs members.
AFL Victorian had convened an appeal panel to decide Gisborne’s future after the Bendigo FNL had appealed the decision. The decision went against the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs president Tony Brancatisano said that they knew the decision would be against them a number of weeks ago, and Wednesday’s announcement just made it official.
He said they had already been working on things in the background for this verdict.
“We knew about two or three weeks ago,” he said. “We will work out what we do now, but we’re not taking it lying down as simple as that.
“We will fight it and at the end of the day they don’t own our club, and neither does AFL Victoria.”
Brancatisano said the decision was made based on what was best for the Bendigo league, but what not what was best for their club.
He had previously told Star Weekly that it’s biggest game of the year was actually a practice match against the Sunbury Lions, who play in the Ballarat league.
He said it feels like their club and what it needs means nothing.
Majority of the football and netball group have already re-signed for next season.
“We’re leaving for a reason,” he said. “It’s not viable for us to stay any more.
“Just watch this space.”
Brancatisano said they were keeping their options close to their chest about what options were available to them.
When asked whether they would remain in the Bendigo league, he was clear where the club sat.
“No,” he said. “We’ve got no interest and the board that is there now needs to go for a start.
“There’s no chance we will be working with them, they’ve burnt their bridges.
“The competition it is stuffed the way it is.
“We’ll fight it to the end, it’s not over yet.”
The Ballarat Football Netball League released a statement saying it acknowledges the outcome of the AFL Victoria appeal panel.
“Although the league is disappointed with the outcome the league accepts the decision,” it said.
“The Ballarat Football Netball League remain committed to Gisborne FNC becoming an affiliated member into the Ballarat Football netball League in the future.
“We are looking forward to continuing dialogue with the Gisborne FNC.”
The Bendigo Football Netball League also released a statement saying as a result of the appeal Gisborne would remain as an affiliated member of the Bendigo Football Netball League for the 2026 season and beyond.
“This is a positive outcome for the league and the BFNL looks forward to the continued participation of the GFNC as a highly valued member of our league,” the league said. “The GFNC holds a strong reputation both on and off the field and continues to bring great value to our competitions.
“We extend our sincere thanks to all BFNL member clubs and AFL Victoria for their cooperation and support throughout the appeal process.”
“The BFNL reaffirms its commitment to working constructively and positively with all clubs, ensuring both club and league sustainability remains at the forefront within the defined framework of the AFL Victoria club transfer regulations.”
