Gippsland: Drouin joins Wonthaggi in expressing interest in league switch

A second club has expressed interest in joining a two-tiered West Gippsland league. See the latest.

Drouin has confirmed “definite interest” in being part of a divisional structure that the West Gippsland league is proposing as early as next season.

Drouin presently plays in the neighbouring Gippsland league, with another of its clubs Wonthaggi also open to the idea of moving to the West Gippsland league on the proviso there were two divisions established.

Club president Luke Gilbert said it had also received the go-ahead from the Gippsland league to speak to West Gippsland as required under updated rules around clubs swapping to another competition.

Clubs have to make applications to leave their existing leagues by the end of next month under the changes adopted by AFL Victoria.

Gilbert said his club was in the process of arranging a face-to-face meeting with West Gippsland as part of its “due diligence” on a possible move.

“We’re definitely interested because we need to look at the sustainability of where we sit logistically as a football-netball club and what makes sense to us,” he said.

“Some people are pro-Gippsland and some people are pro-West Gippy.

“Once we have that information tabled in front of us to consider then we will look at next steps of whether we remain in Gippsland or explore our options with West Gippsland.

“But both Gippsland and West Gippsland are great options.

“We will just get the facts in front of us and see what it all looks like.

“Tiered footy in Gippsland or West Gippsland is appealing.

“It is a structure that we need to head towards I believe.”

Gary Ablett Junior played for Drouin in 2023. Picture: Daniel Heathcote (supplied)

Gippsland proposed its own second tier competition last year in a move that coincided with the North Gippsland league rejecting Mid Gippsland trio Morwell East, Yinnar and Newborough.

West Gippsland is presently a single 11-team competition and league president Tony Mitchell confirmed it “had already received interest from clubs considering joining our competition”.

West Gippsland would need an influx of at least of at least five clubs to be able to create two divisions of eight clubs or a 10-6 split.

Drouin previously competed in the West Gippsland league before making the move to Gippsland in 2005.

Drouin hasn’t won a match this season and is dealing with the additional challenge of not having access to its home ground, which is undergoing a major renovation.

It is playing matches at Trafalgar, Morwell, Moe and Traralgon ahead of a return home for the final round match against Warragul.