EFL 2019: Berwick to remain in AFL Outer East in 2020
Berwick’s preferred option is to join the Eastern Football League from AFL Outer East as it looks to cater for its growing population and strong junior foundations.
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Berwick remains keen on a move to the Eastern Football League, despite clubs voting against it joining the competition in 2020.
EFL clubs last week shut down the Wickers’ application to join the EFL next year.
It means Berwick will remain in the AFL Outer East for at least another season and EFL clubs will be promoted and relegated as normal.
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Berwick president Glenn Gambetta said he was disappointed by the result but respected the verdict.
“We don’t have any concerns with the decision clubs made — they made their decision in the best interests of what they thought for their clubs and their competition for 2020,” Gambetta said.
“At the end of the day, they went through a massive restructure last year so I can understand why they’re a bit loath to go through another one, just to let us in.”
Gambetta said Berwick’s desire was to join the EFL, but the club would consult its committee and sponsors before planning any future moves.
“The reasons we wanted to go are still there and it’s got nothing to do with the AFL Outer East,” he said.
“I’m sure that will be a good competition in the years to come but at the end of the day we thought we would be better aligned to the Eastern footy league.”
The EFL had suggested that Berwick be placed in Division 1 in 2020, but clubs were emailed just days before the vote to inform them the alternative option of placing the Wickers in Division 2 would be adopted.
Berwick finished on top of the AFL Outer East Premier Division ladder but was upset in the grand final by Narre Warren.
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As part of its application, Berwick had cited its growing population, strong juniors and recent facility upgrades as reasons for the transfer.
“One thing that is disappointing is people thinking we want to move because we’re better than everybody else but it’s not about that,” Gambetta said.
“It’s what we think is best for our club.
“It’s a 15, 20-year decision — it’s not a decision for today.
“Yeah, we might be going OK at the moment but that doesn’t mean we’re always going to be as strong as we are now.
“We just believe moving forward that it’s the right thing to do to attract players and attract kids.
“We lose a lot of kids to Rowville and Noble Park because they want to play under-19s and they want to play a higher standard — that’s all it’s about.
“It’s just all about the growth of the club. It’s nothing about thinking we’re better than anyone else.”
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