Top clubs weigh up shift

Geelong, Colac leagues dodge expansion

Compared to some leagues it is probably a relatively even competition

The top teams of the Geelong & District Football Netball and Colac & District Football Netball League have ruled out a play to join the Bellarine competition in 2025.

As part of AFL Barwon’s restructure, the peak body said the Bellarine Football Netball League will become a 12-team competition in 2025, with the two new entrants to come from within AFL Barwon’s 51 affiliated teams.

Submissions for a chance to enter the competition close at midnight tonight with a decision to be made at AFL Barwon’s next commission meeting on May 20.

As of Wednesday afternoon AFL Barwon had received one submission but it expected multiple clubs to apply. A number of clubs are aware of the deadline.

Junior-only club Surf Coast was certain to put its hat in the ring to become a senior team, while fellow junior club Armstrong Creek also had ambitions. But AFL Barwon said previously that 2025 would be too early for them to join the senior ranks.

Last month AFL Barwon regional manager Ed Wilson said interest from multiple clubs meant he was “confident we will be able to introduce a 12th club into the Bellarine Football Netball League”.

But 11 clubs from the GDFNL and CDFNL contacted by this publication put a line through entering the revamped Bellarine league, including the top-five teams from both competitions last year.

Many of those clubs hadn’t raised the possibility with their committees, while some didn’t realise it was a possibility.

Clubs from the CDFNL cited concerns over travel and the increasing standard of the Bellarine.

But AFL Barwon regional manager Ed Wilson said they had been happy with the interest from clubs. “We’ve been pleased with the engagement as several clubs consider their future and the commission will review applications submitted in the lead-up to the next commission meeting on May 20, where a final decision will be made,” Wilson said.

Irrewarra-Beeac president

Anthony McDonald, whose club won the A-grade senior netball premiership and bowed out in a preliminary final in football, said the travel time was the most decisive factor.

“The CDFNl is going along pretty well. Compared to some leagues it is probably a relatively even competition and the ceiling across most clubs, the standard has improved,” McDonald said.

“There’s not any real sort of level of discontent that would lead anyone to look elsewhere, certainly as far as our club is

Ed Wilson AFL Barwon

concerned. “The biggest mitigating factor against it, if we were to bring it up with our members, is the additional travel it would create.”