GISBORNE members have voted against the recommendation of their committee, with the Bulldogs to remain in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football-Netball League next year.
The club’s members last night faced a vote to either remain in the Bendigo league, or join the Ballarat Football League next season as its 12th club.
The Bulldogs’ committee last month voted in favour of a shift to the Ballarat league, which has been wooing the club for the past three-and-a-half months.
However, in what was described by club president Graeme Love as “reasonably close’’, last night’s members’ vote was in favour of the Bulldogs remaining in the Bendigo league, where they have competed since 2000 after crossing from the Riddell District Football League.
About 150 votes were cast in the ballot, with the decision to stay announced just before 8.30pm.
“It was a reasonably close vote, and the club has decided it will be staying in the Bendigo Football League,’’ Love told The Advertiser.
“I’m grateful that it’s now over and done with, and all we have to worry about now is this Saturday and beating South Bendigo in the reserves grand final.’’
BFNL chairman Damian Drum said Gisborne’s decision to remain in the BFNL was a tremendous endorsement for the league.
“It’s a tremendous endorsement for both Bendigo football, but also the work of Steven Oliver (chief executive officer) and his team,’’ Drum said.
“We’ve had a situation we’re we’ve had a hostile approach from Ballarat that was conducted in a poor manner whereby they made an offer full of sweetheart deals that may or may not have ever materialised.
“I think it’s a credit to the goodwill shown from all the other clubs in the league that Gisborne was able to stare the offer from Ballarat down and put ahead the other advantages of playing in a league where you are truly respected and considered a valuable partner.’’
Last night’s vote came five days after six of the club’s most experienced players - coach Ty Elliott, captain Anthony Belcher, Ollie Messaoudi, Matt McKenzie, Rod Sharp and Luke Saunders - told The Advertiser of their strong desire to remain in the Bendigo league.
“It’s worth acknowledging the players have played a significant role in the overall club’s decision to stay and continue to play in the Bendigo league,’’ Drum said.
“And it’s the players who over the past 10 years have forged what you could call legendary status by being part of those great Gisborne teams under Mick McGuane and Marcus Barham, which hold an esteemed place within the BFL.’’
While it has only been in the Bendigo league for 10 years, Gisborne is a power club of the competition, having won four senior premierships, and five flags in reserves and under-18s.
Ballarat announced its intentions to try to lure Gisborne as its 12th club next year on May 30 - a week after being red-hot favourites against Bendigo in their inter-league match, but lost by 21 points.
This is the fourth time since 1998 Ballarat has failed to attract Gisborne.
“We put our best foot forward, and we respect the right for the Gisborne members to make their own decision, and it’s fairly clear they want to remain in Bendigo, so we’re delighted for Bendigo,’’ a gracious Ballarat league chief executive officer Rod Ward said.
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