AFL Outer East 2019: Berwick addresses talk of move to Eastern Football League

Berwick has addressed whispers about a potential move to a rival league as a division forms in the top tier of the new AFL Outer East competition.

Berwick won last year’s SEFNL grand final. Picture:AAP/ Chris Eastman

Berwick remains committed to the AFL Outer East until at least the end of 2020 but admits it is concerned about the standard of football.

Whispers have swirled the Wickers could join the Eastern Football League.

President Glenn Gambetta said the club did have concerns about the scorelines in the AFL Outer East this season.

The competition is in its first season after seven former South East league clubs joined the AFL Yarra Ranges last year.

AFL Yarra Ranges clubs have beaten the former SEFNL clubs just twice in 13 Premier Division fixtures this year.

The average margin in the 13 games has been 85 points.

Gambetta said Berwick had discussions with the EFL about a potential move last year before joining AFL Outer East.

He noted netball would be a factor in any decision to move.

“We’ve obviously had some concerns in relation to the standard of football, it’s not so much the senior level, it’s probably more the reserves and under-18s that are the concern,” Gambetta said.

“We knew this would be a long-term project but, at the same time, we’ve got to make sure it’s the right thing by our club moving forward.

“We’re obviously a little bit concerned where it’s at at the moment but we haven’t formally had discussions, meetings or anything about it.

“There is a lot of people around the club talking (about) Eastern but that’s not so much driven by the committee, it’s more supporters and sponsors.”

Gambatta said “at this stage we have no intention of making any changes”.

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“Our commitment (to AFL Outer East) was for two years so at this stage, we don’t see why that would change,” he said.

“I think they deserve a couple of years to get it sorted.

“There is certainly noise surrounding our club and probably a lot of other clubs in the competition.”

AFL Outer East region general manager Aaron Bailey said the competition’s focus was to deliver on its three-year vision.

He said the league’s ‘Future Direction of Football Netball’ document detailed a plan “that provides competitive, balanced competition across all divisions”.

“Berwick are committed to that … we’re focused on implementing and delivering these long-term structures by the start of 2021,” Bailey said.

The EFL declined to comment.

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