With the BFL not known for outlandish spending to recruit players, the Ballarat-based clubs in particular are set to benefit from the system designed to reward club loyalty and curb sky-rocketing player payments.

While the eastern bloc clubs in the league (Bacchus Marsh, Darley, Melton, Melton South and Sunbury) could find adjustment a bigger issue, Nunn insisted it could only help make the league better as a whole.

“Our league is one of the lowest-paying major leagues in the state and we’re very proud of that; our clubs are quite responsible with the way they use their funds and recruit their players,” he said.

“Our clubs down the road have a different set of circumstances they face in regards to the Ballarat-based clubs. 

“They have a very high level of competition from the clubs in the metro areas.

“They are finding themselves having to spend a lot more money on player payments just to be able to compete with those teams and to draw players from Melbourne.”

The points system will work to discourage players switching to lower-ranked leagues such as the Central Highlands or Maryborough Castlemaine District football leagues, because it will cost clubs an extra point towards the cap to lure players away from the BFL.

Nunn said the current system meant quality footballers were often lured away from high-quality leagues by the big dollars, which hurt leagues such as the BFL.

“The district leagues around the Ballarat region also put pressure on the Ballarat-based clubs, too. All of our clubs do feel that pressure.”

“Hopefully, what we will see is the better players in the region playing at the highest possible level and that flows through to VFL level as well.

“Obviously, we do have a hierarchy here locally in the Ballarat region that is reflected in the interleague ranking.”

The player points system will be trialled over the next two months, with the full framework and salary cap to be handed down in August.

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au