Bombshells from another review
A draft report of a review commissioned by AFL Victoria into Gippsland football has dropped more bombshells on a number of leagues and clubs.
One of the most controversial of the recommendations is the merger of the Ellinbank and District and West Gippsland leagues.
Another controversy in the G25 draft report by consultants ColganBauer, the third review conducted in Gippsland over the past five years, is stripping West Gippsland of two clubs that would be reassigned to the current six-club Alberton league.
It would reduce West Gippsland to 10 clubs that would form a two divisional structure with the EDFL, each division comprised of 10 teams.
Those changes are proposed for the 2021 season.
EDFL president Roger Gwynne, who has been through many changes to the league – clubs coming and going – during his 26 seasons at the helm said the proposal was “unbelievable”.
“It won’t work and I don’t think any of the EDFL clubs would be happy with it,” he said.
Mr Gwynne said a major shortcoming of the review was that it was solely focused on football and particularly senior football.
“Netball doesn’t get a mention and it is key to the EDFL and other leagues”.
He said promotion and relegation in a two-division competition based purely on performances of the senior football teams was unworkable.
He cited an example in recent years where the EDFL senior premiers barely fielded a reserves side, struggled in the juniors and fielded only four of six netball teams, all of which finished at the bottom of their ladders.
Under the proposal now being put forward that clubs would be promoted to a higher division where across the board it would be nowhere near competitive.
West Gippsland clubs have previously rejected proposals that it lose two clubs to bolster Alberton that has claimed its competition is unsustainable with only six clubs.
At junior levels the draft report proposes the Traralgon and District Junior League’s Under 16 competition be scrapped and the 10-club Mid Gippsland league, that has had major problems with junior team numbers in recent years, have only Under 17s rather than Under 18 and Under 16 competitions.
Also put forward is that salary caps and the player points systems that apply in all leagues in the region be reduced to provide greater incentive for clubs to develop their juniors.
A strategy would also be developed for the development of women’s football across Gippsland.
The AFL Gippsland Commission, sacked last year by AFL Victoria, will be “reset” and board members recruited locally.
An interim commission put in place by AFL Victoria last year comprises senior members of its Melbourne-based staff.
The Regional Administration Centre (RAC) headquartered at Morwell would report to AFL Victoria not, as previously, to AFL Gippsland Commission.
Written submission on the draft report can be made by leagues, clubs and other interested individuals and parties at aflgippsland@colganbauer.com by April 10.