Gisborne will lodge “intent to transfer” before June 30 deadline

The Ballarat league has broken its silence on Gisborne’s interest in joining them after 25 years in Bendigo. See the latest.

Ballarat league club presidents have given the competition’s chiefs the green light to actively pursue Gisborne joining its ranks next season.

The 10 clubs met on Wednesday for the first time since Gisborne’s interest in switching to Ballarat from Bendigo was revealed.

Ballarat league president Rob Simmonds said Gisborne would be invited to speak directly to Ballarat clubs before given a chance to vote on the Bendigo powerhouse’s admission.

“From a board point of view we’ve walked away with positives and negatives, but some questions needing to be answered that we will relay back to Gisborne,” he said.

“The next step will be to invite Gisborne to speak to our clubs and I think that will happen pretty soon.

“From there, if everyone is happy, we will take it to a formal vote.

“Last night was a fact-finding mission if you like.

“The feeling of the room is it’s a really good opportunity and clubs could see the positives in it.

“But there are still questions about the mechanics of it all.”

Gisborne coach Robert Waters previously coached North Ballarat in the Ballarat league. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Gisborne president Tony Brancatisano confirmed the club would be signing an “intent to transfer” before the June 30 deadline based on feedback from the meeting.

“There are still no guarantees it’s going to get across the line,” he said.

“We will put it all on the table and the players can decide where they want to play.

“Bendigo at the moment is talking big that they are going to try and keep us.

“But usually when you want to keep someone you get in touch with them.”

Gisborne can count on the backing of Ballarat’s four “eastern” clubs - Sunbury, Darley, Melton and Bacchus Marsh - but reservations exist with some of the six Ballarat-based clubs.

If successful, Gisborne would return Ballarat to 11 clubs only one season after losing Melton South to the Riddell District league.

In a potential hammer blow, Gisborne would become the third club to leave Bendigo in three years following the departure of Kyneton to Riddell District and Maryborough into recess.

Pressure is building on the league’s board chaired by Carol McKinstry to stem the bleeding of clubs.

Gisborne and Sandhurst played off in last year’s Bendigo grand final. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Brancatisano said earlier this week the “Bendigo competition has dropped off big time”, a view shared by league legend Derrick Filo 12 months ago.

“The Bendigo league has become boring,” Filo told The Weekly Times.

Bendigo league presidents met this week without the board and will present a list of demands to a scheduled presidents’ meeting with the board next week.

Existing clubs have held longstanding concerns about the competitiveness of Broadford if it entered the league.

Last year the clubs were asked for feedback only on admitting Broadford, but didn’t get a vote because the club was in recess and not subject to the same process of a club wanting to transfer to another league that begins with seeking the support of existing clubs.

Bendigo and Ballarat have major differences in how they operate which Gisborne could benefit significantly from financially.

Bendigo league finals are all played at the Queen Elizabeth Oval, a longstanding source of frustration from non-Bendigo based clubs.

Ballarat finals are played at Darley and Bacchus Marsh if “eastern” teams are playing and at Ballarat venues including the Eastern Oval and Sebastopol.

Ballarat clubs have a roster system to do the canteen and bar for all finals matches and Bendigo clubs have the option to tender for the canteen or bar.

Both leagues take 100 per cent of the gate-takings.

Gisborne players their 2006 grand final win against Golden Square. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Ballarat exited the AFL Goldfields administration hub and presently employs four staff members.

Bendigo is administered out of the AFL Central Victoria hub.

Professor McKinstry said in statement: “The BFNL board recognises that Gisborne’s club vision and community connections are evolving, but given the club’s 20-plus year relationship with the BFNL, we anticipate that Gisborne will remain in the BFNL for 2026.

“Should Gisborne submit their intent to transfer, the BFNL board will evaluate the transfer request thoroughly, with consideration for our league and our broader football netball ecosystem.”

Originally published as Gisborne will lodge “intent to transfer” before June 30 deadline