League Statement | 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.

Click here to read the full statement