Debate over scope of community football salary cap leaves clubs in limbo

AFL Victoria is set to introduce salary caps in 2017 as part of its Community Club Sustainability Program which will operate in conjunction with the player points system.

But the scope of the measures remain uncertain despite most clubs finishing their 2016 campaigns more than a month ago.

Local Footy understands one reason behind the delay is the difference in proposed salary caps between neighbouring competitions.

The Northern Football League released its proposed salary cap in October last year, floating $200,000 in Division 1, $115,000 in Division 2 and $80,000 in Division 3 as the likely limits.

The Essendon District Football League has proposed spending limits of $250,000 for Premier Division, $200,000 for Division 1 and $150,000 for Division 2.

The Western Region Football League has not publicly released its planned cap, while the EFL is understood to have pushed for a $225,000 limit in Division 1.

The EFL and NFL have also said they are likely to drop their player points allowance in 2017, with 47 a figure mooted by the NFL.

But the EDFL is standing firm on its wish to keep its 50-point player cap in place for another season, adamant it will be better placed at the end of the 2017 campaign to make a judgment.

“We think it’s another year to get to understand the full concept of the points system, including the recruitment period,” EDFL general manager Marc Turri said.

WRFL chief executive Bob Tregear admitted there had been “argy bargy” over the caps.

“The issue is going to be what maximum caps we’re going to put on all divisions and how that relates to other leagues,” he said.

NFL chief executive Peter McDougall said discussions with other leagues were ongoing.

“We are just waiting to see what the others lock into,” McDougall said.

EFL boss Phil Murton stressed the importance of consistency across Melbourne’s football leagues last month.

“We think there needs to be some similarities across metropolitan Melbourne,” Murton said.

McDougall also called for a uniform approach in May, saying it would be crucial to the success of the equalisation measures.

“It would be unfair to think that a neighbouring league could have an extra $50,000 in their salary cap,” he said.

AFL Victoria said it was aiming to achieve “relative consistency” and confirmed the salary cap would be introduced next year as planned.

Spokeswoman Kirstie Fitzgerald said salary cap estimates had been provided by leagues and were “in the final stages of review”.