The verdict was clear from Gisborne members as they voted for the club to move to the Ballarat Football Netball League for next season.
Club members voted on Thursday night about the club’s future, with 190 members voting in support of the move from the Bendigo Football Netball League.
Just 30 were either against the move or abstained from voting.
Bulldogs president Tony Brancatisano said the message was clear.
“We had a bit of an inkling and a lot of the players wanted to go,” he said. “It was good that it just didn’t get over the line.
“They are all on board. We know it is time to make the move.”
The members vote came after Ballarat clubs the previous week voted 46-4 in favour of the Bulldogs joining the competition.
Brancatisano said it was important to have majority votes as it gives a clear indication the move is supported on both sides.
In a good sign for the club, the majority of its playing group had re-signed before the vote occurred.
All but one or two of the senior football players have re-signed, while all the 18s and reserves players are back on board.
Brancatisano said it was a similar story with the netballers and they were looking to re-sign the women’s footballers as well in the coming weeks.
The president said he hoped that the Bendigo league would let them leave and not try to block the move.
“Why keep someone in the competition that doesn’t want to be there?” he said. “The club is owned by the players and members.
“We’ve given them a solid 25 years. They need to look north for teams.”
Brancatisano said while the rest of the process played out, they were focused on trying to get some on field success.
“Our senior women’s grand final is on Saturday,” he said. “Our footballers and netballers have to finish off the season.
“We’ll celebrate the end of the regular season and hopefully the women’s premiership on Saturday.”
Tara Murray
