Bulldogs on the move: Gisborne league switch approved

Gisborne Football Netball Club’s future will be in the Ballarat league after the Bendigo Football Netball League board formally approved the Bulldogs’ application to switch competitions, effective from next season.

The tick of approval – announced on Monday 13 July – ends a lengthy process that kicked-off 18 months ago and allows both the Bendigo league and Bulldogs to move forward with certainty.

Gisborne had unsuccessfully sought a transfer to the Ballarat league in time for the 2026 season last year, but its application was blocked by the Bendigo league, with its decision later ratified by AFL Victoria.

While separate votes by the Bendigo and Ballarat league boards and Gisborne’s membership base have given the move a thumbs up, it will still require a tick of approval from AFL Victoria.

Gisborne FNC president Tony Brancatisano is confident of gaining a fourth and ultimately fate-sealing seal of approval from the governing body.

 

“It’s not 100 per cent done now, but very close. When you’ve got three ticks out of the four, you’d hope you get the fourth tick,” he said.

“We won’t count our chickens yet, but we are getting closer.

“It’s about player retention, player recruiting … we’re too far south now (for the Bendigo league).

“We can look forward to eight games home and away within a vicinity of about 20 kilometres to home.

“Our income should be better, as it should. Some of the games (in Ballarat) might be down on some of the other games, but that will make up for it.”

The Bulldogs can look forward to new close rivalries with Darley, Bacchus Marsh and Melton, while reigniting its long-standing one with Sunbury, 15-minutes down the road.

Brancatisano hailed the Bendigo league’s decision as a massive sigh of relief.

“We finally got there. We needed to go, it was as simple as that,” he said.

“We forfeited Saturday’s under-18s game because of lack of numbers; we knew it was time.

“It took a while, but credit to the new board for ticking it off.

“We just move forward now and finish off the rest of the year in Bendigo positively.

“We hope to take as many flags as possible in netball and football and start preparing for next year.”

Brancatisano said the intention was to be instantly competitive in the Ballarat league.

“We have a few players coming back next year, with Jack Reaper and co from injury, and Flynn Lakey will be back and a few, who, if we get into Ballarat, will come back,” he said.

“We are not going to Ballarat to make up numbers, put it that way.”

Gisborne’s A-grade netballers currently sit third on the A-grade ladder and remain a serious premiership contender alongside rival powerhouses Kangaroo Flat and Sandhurst, while the senior football team are third following a 12-point loss to top-placed Strathfieldsaye, among a cluster of three teams one win behind the Storm, including Sandhurst and South Bendigo.

In a statement announcing its decision to approve the Bulldogs’ move to Ballarat, the Bendigo league praised Gisborne as ‘an integral part of the BFNL since joining the competition in 2000, earning a reputation as one of country Victoria’s most respected and professionally run football and netball clubs’.

“Throughout its time in the league, the Bulldogs have consistently set high standards both on and off the field, contributing significantly to the strength and profile of the competition,” the statement read.

“The club’s football program has been one of the competition’s benchmark programs for more than two decades.

“Premiership success, sustained finals appearances and the development of countless talented footballers have cemented Gisborne’s place as one of the BFNL’s powerhouse clubs.

“Their commitment to excellence has elevated the standard of competition and produced many memorable rivalries and moments throughout their time in the league.

“Equally, Gisborne’s netball program has been synonymous with success and professionalism.

“The Bulldogs have consistently fielded highly competitive teams, developed outstanding athletes and played a significant role in strengthening the quality and reputation of BFNL netball.

“Their contribution has helped shape one of regional Victoria’s premier netball competitions and has inspired the continued growth of the game across the league.”

BFNL chair Brett Fitzpatrick acknowledged the significance of the decision and thanked Gisborne for its outstanding contribution to the league.

“While we are naturally disappointed to see a club of Gisborne’s calibre leave our competition, we respect their decision and acknowledge the enormous contribution they have made to the Bendigo Football Netball League over the past 20-plus seasons,” Fitzpatrick said.

“Gisborne has been an outstanding member club whose commitment to excellence, community values and competitive success has left a lasting legacy on our league.

“Their achievements across all grades but particularly A-grade netball and senior football have helped define many of the great moments in modern BFNL history.

“On behalf of the BFNL board, member clubs and the wider football and netball community, we sincerely thank everyone at Gisborne Football Netball Club for their contribution and wish the club, its players, members, volunteers and supporters every success as they commence this new chapter.”

Since crossing from the Riddell District league, the Bulldogs have won five senior football premierships, most recently in 2022, and three A-grade netball flags, including back-to-back in 2023-24.

Ballarat league board chair Rob Simmonds hailed the green light from the Bendigo league as a great result for Gisborne as a club and Ballarat football.

“We’re glad it has finally happened – a lot of work has been put into it, especially by Gisborne,” he said.

“They liked the diversity of the board and the fact we aren’t all about senior men’s footy. It’s about netball and the holistic things.

“That’s what they appreciated.

“I think it was a matter time,” Simmonds added in terms of the Bendigo league decision.

“I understood why AFL Victoria put a block on it (last year), but it’s frustrating when the writing was on the wall the year before, if not two or three years before it.

“But we’re very happy with the outcome.”

The introduction of Gisborne will mean a return to an 11-team competition in Ballarat, last occurring in 2024 before Melton South’s departure.

With clubs and eligible board members having voted 79 per cent in favour of Gisborne’s entry earlier this month, Simmonds did not expect an uneven draw to be a concern.

“We’ll look at more rivalries. Obviously everyone won’t play each other twice, but we will look at key rivalries playing two games against each other,” he said.

“It’s good for clubs’ sustainability, minimising the travel. The clubs will appreciate that.

“Sometimes you get a Ballarat team playing an eastern bloc team and you don’t get much of a crowd.

“We could implement a rotation system similar to the Central Highlands, where they have two-year fixturing.”

Meanwhile, the Bendigo league has reiterated its commitment to continuing the growth and strength of the competition and will work closely with its remaining member clubs as preparations continue for the future of football and netball across the region.

The Bendigo league is currently considering entry bids from two Loddon Valley league clubs, Marong and Maiden Gully YCW.