Salary cap increase won’t keep players in the SANFL, says Norwood CEO Geoff Baynes

NORWOOD says creating a professional environment and not increasing the salary cap is key to SANFL clubs not losing players to country football.

NORWOOD Football Club says creating a professional environment and not increasing the salary cap is key to SANFL clubs retaining players in the face of increasing competition from country football.

Former Port Adelaide Power and Central District player Elijah Ware was among those who took to social media on Wednesday and said SANFL clubs needed to pay their players more.

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Ware was commenting in defence of ex-Central teammate, veteran Chad O’Sullivan, who left North Adelaide last week to join Hills League club Torrens Valley.

O’Sullivan, the fourth player to leave North for country football this year, said a lack of enjoyment at North was the reason for his exit.

Norwood chief executive Geoff Baynes believed increasing the SANFL salary cap could place pressure on struggling clubs.

But he said that even if clubs could afford an small increase in the cap it would not necessarily stop players leaving for country football.

He said creating a professional environment was the key.

“We’re really focused on putting our resources into the development of the player and making sure they player feels like he has the opportunity to develop,’’ Baynes said.

“We’re really trying to put our resources into our coaching department, and our gymnasium and our facilities so that players feel like it's a good environment.”

Baynes said this approach helped it recruit players like Liam Davis and Sam Baulderstone from amateur and country football in recent seasons despite the players potentially commanding more money in local leagues.

“I think the salary cap is probably at the right level and I dond’t think raising it is the answer,’’ Baynes said.

“Some (SANFL) clubs right now are in considerable debt, so I think raising the salary cap is just taking resources away from helping them develop financial sustainability.”

SANFL general manager Chris Davies recently told The Advertiser a salary cap was not on the agenda.

“I think right now we wouldn’t be looking at salary cap increases in the short-term,’’ Davies said.

“The financial position of the clubs has to be something we hold in the forefront of our mind.”