Rob Waters returns to Gisborne as club comments on proposed changes in Bendigo

A premiership hero is returning back to Gisborne to coach next year but his role has already started. Find out what is happening at the Bulldogs.

Gisborne has turned to one of its own to lead them back to the top in the Bendigo league.

Rob Waters is making a return to the Bulldogs, taking over the coaching role for not only next year but for the final three games this season.

Waters led the team to the premiership in the Bendigo league in 2022 before stepping down citing burnout and an increased work load.

The team was coached by Brad Fox this year.

“We are very thankful to have had someone of Brad’s calibre to fill the void this year,” a statement from the club said.

“It has been a challenging season with eight of last year’s premiership players leaving at the end of 2022, plus a number of our reserves players (leaving) meaning we haven’t had anywhere near the depth that we had previously.

“In most games this year the average age of our senior team has been just 21 years old or less.

“As Rob has been involved as our midfield coach throughout this season and knows the playing group already, Brad has decided to step aside now and hand the reins over to Robbie for the last three matches.

“This creates a seamless transition and gives Robbie and the players a head-start on preparation for season 2024.

“The club will now look to attract a small number of recruits that can enhance our existing playing list.”

Rob’s first game in charge of the club will be against Sandhurst this Saturday.

Meanwhile, Gisborne has confirmed its future is with the Bendigo league despite a regional shake up being on the cards.

AFL Central Victoria is considering a new competition in Bendigo after meetings were held between clubs from the Bendigo, Loddon Valley and Heathcote leagues were held a couple of weeks ago.

Under the proposal relegation and promotion would occur with the strong Bendigo teams to be in the top division at the start.

It is unknown what clubs would move to the second tier but the Loddon Valley, Heathcote and Bendigo leagues would all remain with the new division created.

Gisborne president John Wood said there was plenty of “food for thought”’ to come from the meeting.

Gisborne's Sam Graham has been one of the best players this season. Picture: SAA Imaging

“There was a lot of stuff we will be talking about at committee level this coming week so we can put forward our views on it all,” he said.

“There is some disparity in the Bendigo league between the bottom and top sides, although that has equalled up a lot over the last 24 months.

“Some of the lower sides still struggle a little bit. That has been the case for a number of years.

“There is still that gap and the possibility of a two tiered Bendigo competition with relegation and promotion, I think there is some food for thought there.

“You can’t keep doing the same thing.

“And AFL Central Victoria certainly has the appetite to make some changes.”

Whatever the changes are, Gisborne will be part of it with the club keen to remain in the Bendigo league.

The club has been in the competition since 2000 but there has always been talk about the team moving to Ballarat.

Ballarat, geographically, is closer than Bendigo to Gisborne and some of Gisborne’s fiercest rivals, from when they played in the Riddell District league, are part of the Ballarat competition.

But nothing has been discussed to change where they are.

“In terms of us leaving the Bendigo league we are very happy in this competition,” Wood said.

“It is a fantastic competition. It’s not something we’ve thought about (being in Ballarat).

“Over the last five six years we haven’t spoken to anyone at Ballarat.

“We haven’t spoken about it (moving) for a long time.”

Wood concedes the club’s premiership chances are over with the president admitting the chances of the team making the finals are almost zero.

Gisborne can make the finals if it wins their final three matches and other results go their way but Wood said it won’t happen.

“It’s done and dusted,” he said.

“It would have been nice to make finals again but the future is looking bright and we’ve got some real good quality kids coming through.

“Our under-18s, they are either first or second this year and they are also a very strong side.

“We’ll get good flow through from there as well.”

Wood said the loss of grand final players, combined with losing senior players at crucial times to injury, made it too hard for the juniors who stepped up to fill the void.

Gisborne's Flynn Lakey has remained at the club after winning a premiership last year. Picture: SAA Imaging

What also didn’t help was losing twice to Kyneton by less than five points this year.

Those losses and other results have cost the team dearly.

“It was just a perfect storm,” Wood said.

“You get those results with young sides especially if again you need those senior players around them.

“It’s only been a 15-minute burst here, a 10-minute burst there.

“We’ve been very competitive every game we’ve played., we’ve had some tight results.

“The upside is we’ve had a lot of boys who have played in our under-18 winning grand final step up and played a lot of senior footy this year.

“They’ll be better for it and I think with a bit of luck we’ll rebound pretty strongly.”

Wood said the team would get through the year and conduct a review into their football program to make necessary changes if needed.