AFL Goldfields review: Rupertswood and Gisborne football clubs not interested in switching competitions

RUPERTSWOOD president Brad Pietromonaco has firmly declared the club will “never” join the Ballarat Football League, while Gisborne also wants to stay put.

Rupertswood and Macedon lock horns this season. Picture: David Smith

RUPERTSWOOD president Brad Pietromonaco has firmly declared the club will “never” join the Ballarat Football League.

An AFL Goldfields senior competition draft review recommended the BFL “have ongoing discussions” with the Riddell District Football League club about making the move.

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A desire to create a 12-team BFL with six Ballarat-based sides and six-eastern bloc clubs led to Rupertswood being identified as a club capable of successfully switching competitions.

However, Pietromonaco was adamant Rupo had no intention of becoming a BFL club, saying: “Rupertswood Football Netball Club will never go to the Ballarat league.”

The club favours the reintroduction of a second division in the RDFL, which could include the eastern BFL clubs — Melton South, Melton, Sunbury, Darley and Bacchus Marsh.

“We’re all for the super league with two divisions,” Pietromonaco said.

“Other than that there has been no other talk with the RDFL or AFL Goldfields.”

The report found Rupertswood could be a “successful” and “sustainable” club in the Ballarat competition.

Issues including the sustainability of clubs in the AFL Goldfields region, promotion and relegation, growth of towns and travel times were examined in the research.

It was deemed “geographical challenges” would make promotion and relegation “unsustainable”, while recommendations were made for several clubs to change leagues.

Gisborne president John Wood said his club would only leave the Bendigo league if it led to increased revenue from gate takings, adding the Dogs had no interest in joining the Ballarat FL.

Gisborne is happy in the Bendigo Football League. Picture: David Smith

“If we were to ever go, it would have to be something along those lines where we would receive a benefit with our gate and attendances,” Wood said.

He said Gisborne “loved” playing in the Bendigo league.

“Gisborne went to the Bendigo Football League all those years ago because they wanted to play in a better standard of competition,” Wood said.

The review recommended the RDFL continue as a 12-team competition next year, but added further consideration should be given to expanding to two divisions in 2021.

“This may include consideration of the Sunbury FNC, Gisborne FNC, Melton South FNC and Melton FNC rejoining a possible reformed Division 1 of the Riddell District FNL,” it stated.

It also recommended Sebastopol transfer to the Central Highlands league from next year, which would eliminate the bye in a 10-team BFL.

The final recommendations are due by October 30, with clubs to provide feedback by September 15.