AFL Barwon to leave leagues alone

GEELONG’S local footy leagues will remain untouched next year after AFL Barwon last night froze its controversial restructure plans.

But it may only be a one-year reprieve, with AFL Barwon shifting its attention to a potential 2020 rollout.

The governing body presented the revised restructure plans at a meeting of GFL and BFL clubs last night, and later delivered the news to GDFL clubs.

It means the GFL will remain at 12 clubs next year, despite AFL Barwon’s plans to cut the bottom two sides and create a 10-team premier competition.

Clubs were last night told: THE three Geelong leagues will remain as they are for 2019; THE three-division, promotionrelegation proposal remains AFL Barwon’s “desired position in due course”;

CLUBS can still voluntarily apply to move up or down leagues next season, as Lara explored last season before opting to stay in the GFL; CLUBS who do not meet the assessment criteria may be required to “show cause” to remain in their league at the end of next year; MORE weight could be given to netball in the club assessment criteria; and, AFL Barwon may consider promotion-relegation between only the GFL and BFL for season 2020 if a resolution cannot be found with the GDFL.

It is the latest delay in AFL Barwon’s plans, after the restructure was first planned to be introduced in 2016 but was put on hold and revised after backlash from clubs.

Last night’s back down appeared inevitable after AFL Barwon’s plans were dealt two body blows this year.

The first: a letter unanimously endorsed by the GFL clubs that stated their desire for their league to remain at 12 teams.

The second: the GDFL’s decision to remain an independent league for the next three years, external from AFL Barwon’s operational control.

While the GFL and BFL are under AFL Barwon’s operational control, the GDFL controls its own governance and administers its own football and netball competitions.

GFL and BFL clubs had expressed concern at how promotion-relegation could possibly work without having all three leagues under AFL Barwon’s umbrella.

The AFL Barwon Commission will continue to work with clubs over the next 12 months.