Geelong & District Football Netball League officially ruled out of potential competition overhaul

As the third consultation was held with Geelong clubs, an entire competition has made their thoughts clear on AFL Barwon’s plans for a competition overhaul.

Inverleigh celebrate its grand final win over Thomson.

The Geelong and District Football Netball League has opted out of being involved in the radical league overhaul proposed by AFL Barwon.

GDFL president Neville Whitley confirmed that all of the competition’s clubs had made a joint stance to continue as their own entity, describing the shake-up as a “non-event” for the league since they were first invited to be part of it.

The third consultation was held with clubs on Tuesday, where they were all informed that GDFL clubs would not be part of the potential restructure, including in an official document handed to attendees.

AFL Barwon regional manager Ed Wilson said last week that the number of divisions in the grading system would hinge on whether the GDFL was involved, with the concept drawn up by the governing body set to have three divisions if it goes ahead.

The concept was discussed at the GDFL’s recent annual meeting where a unanimous view was reached.

Whitley said that there were several concerns from GDFL clubs about the concept, slated to begin from 2025, including the likely event that they would be in the lower rungs of the grading system.

GDFL clubs have decided to not be a part of the potential shake-up.

He believed some of the top clubs in the competition may not have qualified to be in the higher divisions of AFL Barwon’s proposal due to the requirements around junior, female and netball sides.

Interest from GDFL clubs in the revamp had been limited through the consultation process, with only one or two clubs attending the past two meetings.

“In the documents that they presented last night, it says that clearly that the GDFL are not involved in the concept,” Whitley said.

“(Our clubs) were unanimous that we stay as we are and that AFL Barwon assume what they endeavour to do.

“They’re not interested in joining a graded competition. They still want to have the right to control their own destiny going forward and have involvement in their own league.

“We don’t see that the graded competition as necessary because it is only a matter of bringing some of the junior GFL clubs up into the top division and the balance will be made up of Bellarine and our own clubs in the lower divisions.

“When it get to two, three or maybe four divisions, our clubs may be seen to be in those lower groups.

“In hindsight it all has been a non-event from our point of view.”

Originally published as Geelong & District Football Netball League officially ruled out of potential competition overhaul