BFL to put forward proposal to Gisborne

BALLARAT Football League will have the chance to present its proposal to Gisborne.A full committee meeting at the Gisborne Football Club on Wednesday night elected to further explore an offer to join the RegionalOne BFL ranks.The club has invited the BFL to an information night for Bulldogs' members, possibly within the next three weeks.BFL chief executive officer Rod Ward said it was an exciting step for the league, which was looking to expand to a 12-club competition."For the first time in all our attempts, we've got to second base," Ward said.The BFL made a written offer to the Bendigo Football League club early this month.Bulldogs' executives first reviewed the proposal before deciding to moot it with their committee.Gisborne sits atop the Bendigo league senior ladder and has established a rich history in the competition, including four premierships from six grand final appearances in the past decade.Reduced travel, financial advantages and existing club rivalries with at least four Ballarat clubs were listed among advantages that the Ballarat FL put to Gisborne in the offer.Enlisting Gisborne in the BFL would also create a balance of six Ballarat-based clubs and six eastern clubs.