BALLARAT Football League clubs will have greater scope for recruiting than their Central Highlands counterparts under the new player points system to be introduced next year.
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AFL Goldfields unveiled its highly-anticipated player points system on Friday, outlining exactly how many points each club is allowed as of next year.
However, the proposed financial salary cap has been pushed back until 2017, with only a "soft launch", or trial, to run in AFL Goldfields next year.
As it currently stands, BFL clubs will be able to field a senior team with a maximum total of 45 player points each week in 2016, while CHFL clubs will be limited to 42 points.
Maryborough Castlemaine District and Riddell District leagues have been allotted the same as the CHFL.
There is scope for club limits to change in the coming weeks, depending on finals performances or if struggling clubs formally request additional points.
Clubs have two weeks to be given special consideration and ask for more more points.
AFL Goldfields region general manager Rod Ward said it was expected a number of clubs would come forward to request more cap room.
"I'm encouraging any clubs that feel they need additional points, based on the criteria, to apply," he said.
The points system applies to a team that takes to the field in any particular match, with each individual given a points rating between one and six points.
The maximum six points is assigned to a player fresh out of the AFL system, while homegrown players are treated as one-pointers.
"The points have been determined to ensure that clubs can retain current lists, whilst also allowing a clear distinction between premier and district league clubs."
- AFL Goldfields region manager Rod Ward
While there are no current players within the Ballarat region that fall under the six-point bracket, there are a number of five-point players.
Ward said it was important there were differences in allocation between the BFL and CHFL as Ballarat was considered one of 11 premier country competitions in the eyes of AFL Victoria.
"The points have been determined to ensure that clubs can retain current lists, whilst also allowing a clear distinction between premier and district league clubs," he said.
The points limit is set to decrease by one point per club each year while clubs adjust to the new system.
For example, a BFL club that is allowed 45 points next year will be allowed 44 in 2017 and 43 in 2018.
The cap was introduced after an extensive process to curb sky-rocketing player payments throughout Victoria and ensure club's long-term sustainability.
WHAT IT WOULD MEAN FOR TEAMS IN FINALS:
BFL CLUBS (all with 25-man squads)
Darley – 44 points
Lake Wendouree – 45 points
North City – 37 points
Redan – 32 points
CHFL CLUBS
Ballan – 45 points, 24 in squad
Bungaree – 35 points, 25 in squad
Gordon – 40 points, 22 in squad
Springbank - 49 points, 25 in squad.
THE POINTS SYSTEM EXPLAINED
THE most important part of clubs figuring out how much scope they have to recruit depends on the value of each individual player.
Under the rating system, each footballer is given a grading out of six points.
In essence, the better or more credentialed the player, the more points they are worth. There is a strong influence on developing juniors or welcoming homegrown players back.
Players recruited from higher leagues attract additional points, while high-valued players drop a point in value for each consecutive season they spend at a club.
HOW THE PLAYER POINTS SYSTEM WORKS
6 points – AFL player: minimum of 1 AFL game in the previous three seasons.
5 points – State League tier 1 (VFL, WAFL, SANFL): minimum of 5 senior games in the current or previous 3 seasons.
4 points – TAC Cup: minimum 5 games in current or previous 3 seasons.
State League tier 2 (NEAFL, TASFL): minimum 5 senior games in current or previous 3 seasons.
Premium Community Player (major metropolitan and country leagues): Club senior best and fairest top five or competition best and fairest top 10. Club leading goalkicker (minimum 40 goals in a season) in previous 3 seasons.
3 points – Senior community player: played the same or more senior than reserves games in any of the previous 3 season.
Transferred junior: player recruited from an under-19s or younger competition and does not meet the home club definition.
2 points – Development community player: played more reserves than senior games in the previous season.
1 point – Home player: played 40 or more games at the aligned junior club and up to and including under-17 competition or younger.
Player who has only played at that club.
ADDITIONAL PENALTY PLAYER POINTS
Additional 1 point - If transferring from another community club in the same competition or division or is transferring from a club located in a premier competition to a club in a non premier competition * (maximum one point even if you meet both descriptions).
Additional 1 point - If transferred to more than two clubs in past 36 months.
DEDUCTIONS FOR PLAYER POINTS
Deduct 1 point - For each season of service to the club (minimum 5 senior or reserves games per season), even if not in consecutive years, until the player reaches 1 point. Note: if the player is eligible for underage football at that club, it must be 5 senior games to meet the criteria for a year of service.
Revert to 1 point – Where player is returning to their home club.
Revert to 1 point – Where player has not played in the previous 36 months.
