AFL Gippsland Upholds Gippsland League Transfer Appeal for Drouin Football Club

AFL Gippsland has today announced its decision to uphold the appeal regarding the Drouin Football Club’s proposed transfer, confirming the club will remain in the Gippsland League for the 2026 season.

The decision was guided by a commitment to the long-term sustainability and stability of community football and netball across the region. The AFL Gippsland Region Council concluded that upholding the appeal was in the best interest of the entire regional ecosystem, outweighing the benefits of a single club’s transfer.

The council determined that while Drouin’s concerns around its men’s football teams’ competitiveness were valid, approving the transfer would not solve a problem but rather shift it, potentially creating new instability within the Gippsland League and the broader regional ecosystem.

Key Factors in the Decision

The appeal process was conducted in accordance with the AFL Victoria Community Affiliate Regulations. The council’s determination was based on several key factors:

• Club Viability and Premier League Status: The appeal noted that Drouin possesses the key characteristics of a premier league club, including a rapidly growing population and strong junior pathways. The Drouin Junior Football Club is the largest junior club in Gippsland by participant numbers.
• Competitive Imbalance: The transfer wouldn’t have enhanced the competitive balance in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition and would have simply shifted the issue from one league to another.
• Systemic Risk to the Gippsland League: The departure of Drouin would have threatened the region’s Premier league status and caused financial and logistical strain on remaining clubs.

AFL Victoria, AFL Gippsland, Netball Victoria, and the Gippsland League will now work with the Drouin Football and Drouin Netball clubs to assist in their ongoing competitiveness, health, and sustainability.

Introducing the Gippsland Charter

While Drouin FC and the West Gippsland Football Competition are likely disappointed with the decision, AFL Victoria and AFL Gippsland are dedicated to collaborating with local leagues to help grow the game in Gippsland. This collaborative spirit, recently showcased at the Gippsland Footy Forum, is now leading to a new strategic initiative, the Gippsland Charter.

AFL Gippsland is set to embark on a multi-phase project aimed at creating a unified philosophy and long-term blueprint for community football and netball across the region.

Phase 1: Foundational Analysis & Broad Consultation

This phase will focus on gathering insights from the entire football community to identify what is working well, pinpoint challenges, and highlight key opportunities.

Phase 2: Charter Development & Strategic Prioritisation

Building on the analysis from the first phase, this stage will focus on creating a single, cohesive strategic document. The “BIG PLAYS”—high-priority projects with the greatest potential impact—will be identified and articulated in the Gippsland Charter.

Phase 3: Collaborative Implementation & Ongoing Alignment

The final phase is dedicated to putting the plan into action. AFL Gippsland will lead key strategic projects in partnership with clubs and leagues, including initiatives like the “Junior Retention Project” and “Growth in Female Football.”

This proactive approach is designed to secure the future of the game by ensuring a long-term commitment to a more sustainable and inclusive sport for all of Gippsland.