Rockbank has been given another three points under next season’s player points cap, taking their extra points to six and their total to 48.
Under a newly introduced points cap, aimed at levelling out the AFL Goldfields competition, all metropolitan and country players are graded from one to six points based on their background and the level of football they have previously played.
A salary cap will be introduced in 2017.
AFL Goldfields, the region’s governing body, initially allocated the Riddell league club three extra points because of the challenge the Rams face by not having juniors.
The RDFL cap has been set at 42 points per club for 2016, but Rockbank is one of seven clubs to be granted extra points because of “special circumstances”.
Rockbank coach Gavin Sporle said the six extra points would allow the club to maintain its plan of targeting recruits aged 18 to 21.
“We’re really pleased to get those extra points because it puts us in a position where we can have a firm plan around playing youth and getting young players into the club,” he said.
“In the Melton area there are a lot of guys who are either not playing football or not getting a chance to play senior football. We can now provide that with a bit of certainty.
“It’s the only way we can achieve sustainability in our club.”
Along with Rockbank, Wallan and Lancefield secured an extra six points, Broadford and Woodend-Hesket were handed an extra three and Diggers Rest and Melton Centrals got two each.
Macedon is the only club to have its application for a boost rejected.
Sporle has now turned his full attention to finalising the Rams’ 2016 squad. He said that with the club employing a youth policy, there would be some turnover of players.
“We’re still in discussions with a lot of players from last year, but we also know we will lose players as well,” he said.
“We’re in a position where we’re trying to consolidate our position financially. That means a lot of boys who may have been getting money in previous years are now not getting that.”
Rockbank will begin pre-season training this week. The Rams are trying to restart the club’s junior division and are seeking junior players of any age. Anyone interested should contact Gavin Sporle on 0415 199 730.
