Ballarat has sent an official letter of offer to Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football-Netball League club Gisborne in an attempt to lure the Bulldogs for the fourth time.

Gisborne has previously rejected offers in 1998, 1999 and 2003 to join the Ballarat Football League.

“The letter of offer went off to Gisborne about 9.30pm last night,’’ Ballarat Football League chief executive officer Rod Ward said yesterday.

“We expect that the Ballarat Football League will be invited to speak to the Gisborne committee in the coming weeks to discuss any queries they may have.

“The decision to send a letter of offer to Gisborne was approved following a Ballarat Football League board meeting on Monday night.

“There was some discussion on some points about it, but at the end of the day, everyone sees enormous advantages to the Ballarat Football League attracting Gisborne,’’ Ward said.

“The finer details of the letter of offer needed to be discussed and approved at the meeting, and that was done.’’

Ward said he did not expect Gisborne - which has won four senior premierships since joining Bendigo from the Riddell District Football League in 2000 - to rush into any decision.

“We’re flexible with the timeframe,’’ Ward said.

“I would expect the Gisborne committee wouldn’t want to distract its players in its quest for another premiership this year.

“I’m only speculating on this, but it’s quite possible Gisborne members wouldn’t vote on this until the end of the season, which is okay by us.’’

Gisborne president Graeme Love confirmed he had received Ballarat’s letter of offer via e-mail.

“I will sit down tonight and properly go through it and will then show it to the committee,’’ Love said.

“Then I imagine we will have a talk to the Ballarat Football League and go from there.’’

After seven rounds of the Bendigo Football League season, Gisborne is the only undefeated side in the competition.

Gisborne travels to Country Vet Oval this Sunday to take on third-placed Golden Square in the match of the round.