Gippsland: Wonthaggi given green light to explore league switch

Wonthaggi is open to moving to the West Gippsland league, but with one key proviso. See the potential stumbling block.

Wonthaggi is weighing up a shift from the Gippsland league to the neighbouring West Gippsland league.

Club president Peter Liddle confirmed Wonthaggi was “exploring its options”, but ruled out a move to West Gippsland under its current structure of a single 11-team competition.

Liddle said the Gippsland league had been briefed on its plans to look at an alternative home.

“Our committee has voted to explore all our options,” he said.

“I’ve had some talks with West Gippsland, but nothing official.

“But the way things are structured in West Gippsland at the moment we wouldn’t move.”

The travel factor to play Bairnsdale, Sale and Maffra has been an issue since Wonthaggi joined the Gippsland league.

Jack Hutchinson played for Wonthaggi before being drafted by West Coast Eagles. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Wonthaggi is acting in accordance with recent changes for club transfers adopted by AFL Victoria.

West Gippsland president Tony Mitchell said his league “welcomes discussions with clubs who comply with those rules”.

“WGFNL has already received interest from clubs considering joining our competition,” he said.

Jarryd Blair is the current coach of Wonthaggi. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Gippsland league president Andrew Livingstone said: “We can’t stop anyone from talking.

“We certainly want to keep Wonthaggi.

“They’ve done the right thing by the league and informed us that they will be having a discussion.

“We can’t stop them doing that.”

A two-tier West Gippsland league has been discussed since the WGFNL installed an independent board at the start of this season with the aim of becoming “the destination league in Victoria”.

Wonthaggi is sitting in second spot on the ladder this season behind Moe.

Collingwood 2010 premiership player Jarryd Blair, who began his career at Wonthaggi, is the club’s current senior coach and led the Power into the 2023 grand final when it lost to Leongatha.