Players in the AFL Goldfields region who have remained with the same club since 2019 will next year have the potential to carry two fewer points than when they last pulled on the boots.
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AFL Goldfields has followed an AFL Victoria recommendation that the player points system remain unchanged to pre-COVID-19, with individual players having their value reduced by one point for each season they are at a club until they reach one - including this year despite competitions not going ahead.
However, players who were recruited for the 2020 season and did not get an opportunity to play will not get a points reduction.
They will remain on the same points they were allocated for 2020.
AFL Goldfields regional general manager Gerard Ryan said a primary purpose of having the player points policy as part of the overall AFL Victoria Community Club Sustainability Program was to reward club loyalty and the promotion of juniors within a club.
"The one-point reduction will assist in clubs being able to move towards the hoped for resumption of community football in 2021 with greater confidence."
"It gives clubs the opportunity to continue recruiting, knowing that there has been some relief for missing out on the 2020 season," Ryan said.
AFL Goldfields has also confirmed the same maximum team player points as the cancelled 2020 season for its four leagues - Ballarat, Central Highlands, Maryborough and Castlemaine District, and Riddell District.
Teams have been allocated up to a maximum of 47 points for each senior game.
Ryan said individual clubs were able to apply for a figure higher than initially allocated if they believed they fit a range of criteria within the policy.
The Ballarat Football League has already applied to have 2019 bottom side Melton South to have its points allocation increased to 50 - the same as it had in 2019.