FOOTBALL/NETBALL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

MORWELL East Football-Netball Club has begun the next phase in its long-storied push to join the North Gippsland Football-Netball League.

At a special general meeting held on June 11, the club’s committee laid out its reasonings behind relocating away from Mid Gippsland FNL to its members, past players, officials and sponsors.

In an overwhelming result, the club vote came back with a 99 per cent approval rating in favour of a proposed move to North Gippsland.

The Hawks have consistently argued in the last three attempted transfers that a move to North Gippsland would support the club’s long-term future and growth.

Already on the campaign trail, Morwell East mailed out booklets to all North Gippsland clubs the week of the club’s decision detailing its strengths in becoming the 12th member club.

Direct in its opening words, describing itself as “a club built on sustainability – not short-term success.”

The Hawks highlighted its first-rate facilities, which has hosted Mid Gippsland grand final days in years past, and strong governance.

It also pointed to the re-establishment of an under 18 team, which was previously pointed to as a key concern for North Gippsland clubs, as the Hawks had not featured a thirds side since 2021.

Of the current under 18 team, most are down age, meaning with a side of 16 and 17-year-olds, Morwell East is confident it will retain its junior presence.

The Hawks believe that its inclusion would help expand North Gippsland’s blueprint in the Latrobe Valley and create further depth of players across football and netball.

Questions however have been raised by North Gippsland detractors about the additional strain on the Sale Umpires Association, who would need to fill another three games per weekend if Morwell East is given the green light.

Morwell East deem that a 12-team fixture will produce a more balanced, flexible and stronger competition for North Gippsland, with bye or split rounds still applicable.

The saga around this desired move dates back to 2022, where Morwell East failed to get past the club vote, before members were swayed about the opportunity of joining North Gippsland.

Facing the league board and its member clubs three consecutive years since, the Hawks have been unsuccessful in convincing a majority North Gippsland clubs to accept the move.

A decision on whether Morwell East will join North Gippsland for the 2027 season is expected to be made via a league vote at the next general meeting in August.

Former Mid Gippsland club Yallourn Yallourn North was the last to be accepted into North Gippsland back in 2020.