By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE West Gippsland Football Netball Competition will now feature 10 teams in its first season in 2017, with Korumburra-Bena winning its appeal to join the league.
An AFL Victoria statement on the matter, released this afternoon (22 July) reads: “Having considered all evidence provided, the appeal panel believes that the long-term sustainable future of KBFNC is in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition and not the Alberton Football Netball League as outlined in the AFL Gippsland Senior Football Review.
“The appeal panel is satisfied the Alberton Football Netball League can be a strong and vibrant competition in its own right, similar to that of other such like competitions across the state.”
AFL Victoria CEO Steven Reaper applauded the process by AFL Gippsland and the thorough and consultative approach in their review of senior football structures in the region.
But AFL Gippsland released its own statement, which read: “AFL Gippsland wishes to express disappointment in the AFL Victoria decision to overturn a key aspect of AFL Gippsland’s Senior Leagues Review Recommendations and uphold Korumburra-Bena Football Netball Club’s appeal to participate in the newly-formed West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.
“AFL Gippsland devoted a significant amount of time and energy collecting and analysing relevant data and consulting with clubs and leagues to determine the final recommendations. We believe the review process was conducted thoroughly and in the best interests of football in Gippsland.
“AFL Gippsland acknowledges the appeal decision is final and will move forward with the remaining Alberton Football Netball League clubs to ensure they are part of a thriving and sustainable competition into the future.”
In an article in the Gazette back in June, AFL Gippsland region general manager Travis Switzer said the response to the new league had been extremely positive, adding at the time: “The vast majority of anecdotal evidence we have had so far has been about the potential for competitive balance across the region, and there is a real buzz about the new league.
“Korumburra-Bena have made no secret of their desire to play in the West Gippsland competition but the commission felt at this point in time the club was more suited to the Alberton Football Netball League.
“We have said from day one that we preferred league structures to be more fluid in terms of their member clubs, so the door remains open for Korumburra-Bena to move West in the future.”
Here is how the senior leagues across Gippsland will look in 2017:
West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (10 teams): Bunyip, Cora Lynn, Dalyston, Garfield, Inverloch-Kongwak, Kilcunda-Bass, Kooweerup, Korumburra-Bena, Nar Nar Goon, Phillip Island.
EDFL and EDNA (10): Buln Buln, Catani, Ellinbank, Lang Lang, Longwarry, Neerim Neerim South, Nilma Darnum, Nyora, Poowong, Warragul Industrials.
Alberton (7): DWWWW, Fish Creek, Foster, Meeniyan Dumbalk United, Stony Creek, Tarwin, Toora.
Gippsland League (10): Bairnsdale, Drouin, Leongatha, Maffra, Moe, Morwell, Sale, Traralgon, Warragul, Wonthaggi.
North Gippsland (10): Churchill, Cowwarr, Glengarry, Gormandale, Heyfield, Rosedale, Sale City, Traralgon Tyers United, Woodside, Yarram.
Mid Gippsland (10): Boolarra, Hill End, Mirboo North, Morwell East, Newborough, Thorpdale, Trafalgar, Yallourn Yallourn North, Yarragon, Yinnar.
