Football leagues throughout Victoria could soon be operating under a salary cap.
The proposal was made last week by an AFL Victoria working party created to investigate how best to tackle rapidly increasing player payments at local level.
The cap is set to be trialled next year and will be supported by an appropriate enforcement policy and possibly by a player points system.
After releasing its findings, AFL Victoria general manager Steven Reaper said the working party had asked leagues to consider how the changes would work in their competitions.
The leagues’ feedback will be considered before the official test guidelines are announced for the 2015 season.
In reaching its findings, the working party conducted an extensive survey, which was completed by 369 Victorian clubs.
“The development of an AFL Victoria-led statewide solution was backed by 83 per cent of clubs who responded to the survey,” Reaper said.
“More than 50 per cent of clubs surveyed also indicated their support of the implementation of a statewide salary cap despite acknowledging that such a measure creates enforcement challenges.”
Members of the working party included Essendon District Football League chief executive Marc Turri and Eastern Football League chief executive Phil Murton.
Diggers Rest president Chris Payne, whose club plays in the Riddell District Football League, said something had to be done about player payments, but he was unsure how the proposed changes would work.
“It’s all well and good to bring it in, but how will it be policed?,” he asked.
“Something needs to be done in the future. Clubs have to live within their means. I’m glad I’m not overseeing it.”
As for a possible points system, Payne wasn’t as supportive.
“Obviously, the points system will benefit clubs like Sunbury and Rupertswood, who have a big junior system,” he said.
He said getting in big names from outside the area had massive positives.
Diggers Rest has had great success in recent years with former AFL players Brent Tuckey and Callum Wilson.
“Tuckey is a good example,” Payne said. “Supporters want to be there when he comes to the club. If you don’t get good people in, you don’t promote the club.
“It’s a win-win for the club and the league, getting in someone like Brent.”
AFL Victoria is yet to name which local leagues will be part of the trial in 2015.
Western Region Football League chief executive Bob Tregear said his league would be happy to participate.
“We haven’t seen the full details of what they’re proposing to implement, but it will be some combination of points system and salary cap,” Tregear said.
“We acknowledge that you won’t be able to enforce it accurately all the way along, but when people are caught cheating it there will
be severe penalties. In principle, we will support it. We’re willing to be a part of the trial next year.”
AFL Victoria is expecting to announce the trial guidelines before Christmas.
