Shadow Sports Minister and local member for Gippsland East, Danny O’Brien, laid the blame for the “debacle” at the feet of the AFL, saying local clubs “see no future under the arrangement they’ve been left with by AFL Victoria”.

O’Brien was also critical of the Andrews government's $225 million outlay on the Marvel Stadium redevelopment, saying the money should have been directed to grass-roots football and netball instead of acting as a subsidy to the AFL.

Harriet Shing, the local Labor member for Eastern Victoria, said she would be “happy to advocate on behalf of local communities who are looking for better decision-making”.

“If the AFL and AFL Gippsland are in a position to assist with an outcome that can strike a sensible balance for clubs like Fish Creek, then I'd be pleased to see this happen.”

Martin Pakula, the newly sworn-in Minister for Sport, declined to comment on the AFNL situation.

In September this year Pakula confirmed reports he was approached to lead the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports, the peak lobbying body for football, tennis, soccer, cricket, netball and rugby organisations.

Earlier this year, AFL Gippsland recommended the AFNL merging with the neighbouring Mid-Gippsland League, a move AFNL clubs say would have bolstered playing numbers and competitive balance.

We can’t leave, but staying is doing us even more damage.

Fish Creek spokeswoman Megan Vuillermin

However, an appeal process led to AFL Victoria disallowing AFNL clubs from joining the new league, with Reaper saying a merger would have led to “undue pressure on quite a few clubs in the Mid-Gippsland League”.

AFL Victoria said it would continue to maintain a dialogue with the individual AFNL clubs, with Reaper stressing the importance of “creating club sustainability” rather than focusing singularly on league sustainability.

He also stated the importance of not adopting top-down solutions: “We’re cognisant of the fact that we need to ensure all stakeholders are part of that solution, and not have a solution that is forced on clubs whether that be by AFL Gippsland or AFL Victoria.”

AFNL club Fish Creek's spokeswoman Megan Vuillermin said “all six clubs would like to stick together, but most know that for their survival, they need to apply to play in a different league”.

“We can’t leave, but staying is doing us even more damage.”

Fish Creek wrote to the AFL Commission last month, saying “we can foresee a day when there is no football club in Fish Creek – indeed, where there is no football in the district”.

The AFL Commission has not responded to Fish Creek's letter.