FOOTBALL
By SAM DARROCH
LADDER position will be the determining factor for player points systems across Gippsland football leagues next season and beyond as part of a state-wide push to equalise playing resources and reduce player payments at community level.
AFL Gippsland has released its 2016 PPS guidelines for all competitions under its jurisdiction, developed in consultation with clubs, following the announcement of AFL Victoria’s state-wide framework of a 50-point maximum allocation.
The PPS, which assigns each player on a club’s list a points allocation based on their playing history and level of competition, will be supplemented by a salary cap to be phased in from 2017.
Changes to the way points are calculated have inflated the base allocation in most cases for existing points systems.
Most Gippsland competitions will see the maximum 50 points available only to the wooden spooner from the previous year and clubs with three or fewer wins in that season.
Points allocations then scale based on finishing position and number of victories all the way down to a maximum of 38-40 (depending on the competition) for the premiership winner.
The system is in line with North Gippsland’s existing PPS but marks a change for the Gippsland League, which previously based its point allocations off township size.
AFL Gippsland region manager Travis Switzer said the change in the Gippsland League was a welcome one given the “current points system wasn’t quite doing what it was supposed to” in terms of levelling the playing field.
He said the region was generally in a good position to adopt the state-wide system given most leagues had been “progressive” and employed a PPS in recent years.
However, he conceded “some clubs will be challenged by the new structure”, in particular the Alberton League which has never used a points system.
Alberton clubs have all been issued the full quota of 50 points for the first season of implementation to allow an adjustment period.
Mid Gippsland has adopted a more “blanket” approach, offering 50 points to the bottom five finishers and 45 to the top five.
Omeo and District also opted for a uniform application with 40 points for all clubs.
Clubs may be allocated extra points based on extenuating circumstances such as geographic location, hardship, junior structure or other factors, which AFL Gippsland will consider on a case-by-case basis.
Switzer said about a dozen clubs had lodged applications for extra points.
He said AFL Gippsland was still working with clubs like Bairnsdale, which draws on players from the East Gippsland Football League and lacks a traditional junior system from which to develop “home” players, to determine how the PPS would apply to it.
AFL Gippsland said point allocations would be reduced in a tiered approach over three to five years in lieu of an expected increase in player retention, with players attracting a reduced allocation per year of service to a single club.
Switzer said the new system promoted development and retention of juniors and club loyalty.
Next season will be viewed as an adjustment and education period to ensure all club administrative necessities are in place by 2017.
A club sustainability advisory committee will be introduced by AFL Gippsland to guide the direction of the PPS and salary cap moving forward.
While the salary cap is set to be introduced from 2017, discussions are ongoing with Gippsland Leagues regarding potential pilot programs next season.
The new PPS will continue to reward retention or re-enlistment of junior players with ‘home players’ receiving the minimum allocation of one point, while at the other end of the spectrum AFL players will have a six-point attachment.
However, club loyalty will see a point reduction per year; for example Brad Fisher has been at Dalyston for three years now and is moving toward becoming a one-point player despite his history in the AFL.
A ‘premium player’ system looms as a cornerstone of the new system, designed to limit en masse movement of stars all at once.
Players who finished in the top five of their club’s best and fairest, top 10 in the league best and fairest, or led club goalkicking in the past three seasons, are set to be ranked at four points when moving clubs.
TAC Cup players would be on par with premium players, while footballers with state league experience over the past five years would receive a five-point price tag.
The new PPS will continue to reward retention or re-enlistment of junior players with ‘home players’ receiving the minimum allocation of one point, while at the other end of the spectrum AFL players will have a six-point attachment.
However, club loyalty will see a point reduction per year; for example Brad Fisher has been at Dalyston for three years now and is moving toward becoming a one-point player despite his history in the AFL.
A ‘premium player’ system looms as a cornerstone of the new system, designed to limit en masse movement of stars all at once.
Players who finished in the top five of their club’s best and fairest, top 10 in the league best and fairest, or led club goalkicking in the past three seasons are set to be ranked at four points when moving clubs.
TAC Cup players would be on par with premium players, while footballers with state league experience over the past five years would receive a five-point price tag.
PPS applications for Gippsland
Premiers 40 points
Runners Up 41 points
Third Placed 42 points
Fourth Place 43 points
Fifth Place 44 points
Seven or more wins (no final) 46 points
Four to six wins 49 points
Three to zero wins 50 points
Premiers 40 points
Runners Up 41 points
Third Placed 42 points
Fourth Place 43 points
Fifth Place 44 points
Seven or more wins (no final) 46 points
Four to six wins 49 points
Three to zero wins 50 points
Trafalgar 45 points
Yall/Yall Nth 45 points
Mirboo Nth 45 points
Newborough 45 points
Yinnar 45 points
Thorpdale 50 points
Morwell East 50 points
Yarragon 50 points
Boolarra 50 points
Hill End 50 points
Ladder position 1 38 points
Ladder position 2 40 points
Ladder position 3 42 points
Ladder position 4 44 points
Ladder position 5 46 points
Ladder position 6 48 points
Ladder position 7 50 points
Ladder position 8 50 points
Premiers 39 points
Runners-up 40 points
Third & 4th Placed 42 points
Fifth & 6th Placed 43 points
Seventh & 8th Placed 44 points
Seven or more wins (no final) 46 points
Four to six wins 48 points
Three to zero wins 50 points
All Clubs 50 points
All Clubs 40 points
The club’s points aggregate will be allocated on a population basis using current census totals.
Over 15,000 Club total 31
Over 10,000 Club total 33
Over 5,000 Club Total 35
Over 3,000 Club Total 37
Over 2,000 Club Total 40
Over 1,000 Club Total 45
Under 1000 Club Total 50
30 points – Premiers
31 points – 2nd & 3rd place
32 points – 4th and 5th place
34 points – 7 or more games won but not in the final 5
36 points – 4 to 6 games won
38 points – Zero to 3 games won
Clubs shall have a maximum of 30 points allowed to take the field in their senior team each week.
Clubs who finished the previous year 10th & 9th will have an extra 4 points
Clubs who finished the previous year 8th & 7th will have an extra 3 points
Clubs who finished the previous year 6th will have an extra 2 points
Clubs who finished the previous year 5th will have an extra 1 points
