Bendigo FL discussion 2025

[Doona2]

Ballarat FNL advised that Gisborne must stay in Bendigo as of today.

AFL VIC had a real opportunity here, but have now handed an even bigger opportunity to clubs nearby to Gisborne who, if not by tonight, but definitely by smoko tomorrow are actively contacting Gisborne players regarding where they sit on this situation and their intentions for 2026.

A potential horrible situation for so so many people this ....

 

[CurtyB103]

Article from The Courier - Not the end of it according to Gisborne

 

[Jack Doolan]

There’s a whisper going round that they have an ace up their sleeve in a loophole in the rules
Apparently the process for admitting a new club is very simple so we may well see Gisborne fold and a new club emerge

 

[Trent from barwon Heads]

Article from The Courier - Not the end of it according to Gisborne



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Same as the addy. Afl vic dont even give any reasons why. They just said no. Why are they even in charge?

What a debacle, every rdfl club as doona says will be calling gisborne players now.

 

[rkjc22]

There’s a whisper going round that they have an ace up their sleeve in a loophole in the rules
Apparently the process for admitting a new club is very simple so we may well see Gisborne fold and a new club emerge

Ballarat still answers to AFL Vic. The suggestion they'll engage in anything to circumvent AFL Vic's decision is woefully naive.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

There’s a whisper going round that they have an ace up their sleeve in a loophole in the rules
Apparently the process for admitting a new club is very simple so we may well see Gisborne fold and a new club emerge

I don't think that it is that simple. They would probably have to be able to prove they are a different club to the one in existence now. I am pretty sure that rules have been amended since the Whittlesea/Northern Eagles scenario in the mid 1980s. A name change to, say East Bullengarook Football Club, would be costly with all the paperwork needed to make the change - and subsequent change back - and there is no guarantee of a successful transfer to Ballarat even then.

The easier scenario is to involve the silks to force a change or else sit out a year (and not pay affiliation fees to ensure they are not financially bound to the BFNL) and exit the league in the way that Maryborough has tried. However, that is a very risky proposition for the club's future.

 

[rkjc22]

I don't think that it is that simple. They would have to be able to prove they are a different club to the one in existence now.

I am pretty sure that rules have been amended since the Whittlesea/Northern Eagles scenario in the mid 1980s.

Quick google shows me that impacted leagues have the right to appeal acceptance of new clubs. Guess what Bendigo would do in this instance.

Although that says October 31st is the deadline which was the old deadline so maybe it's easier now?

 

[Jack Doolan]

I don't think that it is that simple. They would probably have to be able to prove they are a different club to the one in existence now. I am pretty sure that rules have been amended since the Whittlesea/Northern Eagles scenario in the mid 1980s. A name change to, say East Bullengarook Football Club, would be costly with all the paperwork needed to make the change - and subsequent change back - and there is no guarantee of a successful transfer to Ballarat even then.

The easier scenario is to involve the silks to force a change or else sit out a year (and not pay affiliation fees to ensure they are not financially bound to the BFNL) and exit the league in the way that Maryborough has tried. However, that is a very risky proposition for the club's future.

I don’t know the ins and outs but I hear that’s option one and not playing at all for a season is option two

 

[Wooden Robot]

Read somewhere Gisborne declared their relationship with the BFNL and the board as gone beyond repair.
In other words, irreparable. Irretrievable. Irreversible. Irre whatever else.
If they stay, league meetings will be more volatile than the Iraqi parliament next year.

 

[Mad Jack]

Is the current BFNL manager even more naive than the last one?
I just read a comment where he says this outcome is a “positive one for the league” and they look forward to the “continued participation of the GFNC”. Mad Monday must still be in full swing at HQ if he honestly believes this.

 

[MortlockWatcher]

The league is in fairy land if they believe that.

 

[Jack Doolan]

Gisborne President has come out and said we will not play in Bendigo stand by for Nuclear options

 

[Trent from barwon Heads]

I don’t know the ins and outs but I hear that’s option one and not playing at all for a season is option two

Id strongly discourage that, but the bfl did that to rochy 50 odd years ago and nearly broke them, rochy will never come back, youd think in 50 years, some common sense can occur, maybe not by the bfl but afl vic. If they force Gisborne to stay are they going to block all clearances to the rdfl? Id think not

 

[Crazymaggy2020]

Hang on a minute - CRAZY WAS RIGHT

 

[tigerbandit]

Is the current BFNL manager even more naive than the last one?
I just read a comment where he says this outcome is a “positive one for the league” and they look forward to the “continued participation of the GFNC”. Mad Monday must still be in full swing at HQ if he honestly believes this.

Yep basket case

 

[Crazymaggy2020]

Strong mail if Caz and the Sandhurst board get ousted then the Slags will look to join the GV. Sets them apart, high standard and leaves the comp for dead. Dont discount this happening …

 

[Quarry Hill]

Strong mail if Caz and the Sandhurst board get ousted then the Slags will look to join the GV. Sets them apart, high standard and leaves the comp for dead. Dont discount this happening …

And if Gisborne cannot get to the Ballarat League how are Sandhurst going to get a green light to the GV?

 

[Crazymaggy2020]

And if Gisborne cannot get to the Ballarat League how are Sandhurst going to get a green light to the GV?

They run their own race mate.

 

[johnno#7]

Strong mail if Caz and the Sandhurst board get ousted then the Slags will look to join the GV. Sets them apart, high standard and leaves the comp for dead. Dont discount this happening …

Don’t think they would cope with the travel. Have never travelled over an hour for a game in their lives. 11 out of the 12 games would be an hour plus. Not to mention those 2 hour trips.

 

[Jack Doolan]

With the talk coming out of Gisborne it would take one of the all time great u turns for them to play in Bendigo next season
Two questions if the choice comes to a great club not playing would the AFL back down and what happens if there’s no Gisborne and Broadford don’t get up does everyone play each other three times?

 

[Shinjuku]

Strong mail if Caz and the Sandhurst board get ousted then the Slags will look to join the GV. Sets them apart, high standard and leaves the comp for dead. Dont discount this happening …

They would be a bottom 3 team in GVL. The gap is large

 

[Silver Tongue]

Id strongly discourage that, but the bfl did that to rochy 50 odd years ago and nearly broke them, rochy will never come back, youd think in 50 years, some common sense can occur, maybe not by the bfl but afl vic. If they force Gisborne to stay are they going to block all clearances to the rdfl? Id think not

Was about to mention that Trent. Exactly the same ... would not let Rochy leave so the most dominant club in the BFL went into remission for a year. Other clubs raided the playing group. Only 2-3 senior players from the final year in the BFL played in the 1st game in the GVFL two years later. It nearly killed the club.

 

[ringo1]

There is no doubt whatsoever that there will be legal representation instigated by Gisborne. It appears to be their only real option. This will add to the pain and negative optics for the game in the region.

 

[Crazymaggy2020]

They would be a bottom 3 team in GVL. The gap is large

Serious ? Sandhurst would get belted in the GV ? I thought they’d be easy top 3

 

[Grimmett]