Eltham forced to clarify player payment structure amid ‘ridiculous’ rumours

Rumours of bankruptcy and salary cap rorting has forced Eltham to explain its unique player payment structure. See what the club had to say here.

Eltham takes on Panton Hill. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Absolutely ridiculous” rumours have forced Eltham to explain its unique player payments structure.

The Panthers posted a lengthy summary of their arrangement on Facebook on Wednesday, clearing the air after being accused of everything from salary cap rorting to bankruptcy on social media and forums.

The rumours had grown to such an extent, supporters and sponsors had approached the club with concerns.

Eltham football manager John Rudden said the club’s system had been ticked off by the Northern Football Netball League and AFL Victoria.

“We did something a bit different and unfortunately a number of our supporters and sponsors have come back and said to me ‘What’s going on? People are telling me you’re breaching the salary cap’ and all this type of s--t,” he said.

Eltham big man Tom Goodwin. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Some of the stuff I was hearing is absolutely ridiculous, we’ve actually been really transparent with the NFNL.

“I got quite a bit of feedback from sponsors that there was a lot of mistruths floating around.

“One bloke said to me on the weekend, which was probably the straw that broke the camel’s back, he said ‘I’m hearing we’re bankrupt’ but I can assure you this is only about balancing the books.”

Rudden said the idea was player driven to ensure players, with difficult employment situations early in the season, didn’t look elsewhere for revenue streams.

“We knew it was going to be significant, with new players coming in, and trying to juggle an $88,000 salary cap,” he said.

“A number of our senior guys have got jobs where their livelihood was compromised at the start of the year because some are contractors for building companies and the like.

“They said we would like to retain the income we received last year so players wouldn’t seek alternative arrangements for the weekend.

“They weren’t blackmailing us, they were saying if we might lose some of our mid-tier players because at a time when they’re out of work they might work on Saturday rather than play football.

“The boys came back with a scheme to be paid the same sort of money but over a shorter period of time because they fully understood that would impact the club’s ability to stay within the salary cap.

“They suggested what if we forego some matches … they put a proposal to the playing group that we would pay players until the money runs out, which was estimated to be in Round 14.

“It was totally player driven, it’s totally unique, I did caution the boys that not paying the last four could potentially hurt some players – they might play the last six but only get paid two.

“As it turns out I still have money left over so what I’ll need to do there is renegotiate contracts to pay what money is left over the upcoming weeks.”

Eltham brought in several high profile recruits over the summer, led by coach Tim Bongetti, Jesse Donaldson, Liam Frazer and Tom Goodwin.

The Panthers are joint top of the table, sitting second behind Diamond Creek on percentage

The Facebook post details the player payments structure and the lengths the club had to go to to get it signed off.

“After seeking legal advice, we received confirmation that paying players an increased weekly amount over 14 rounds of the season, rather than 18 rounds, was acceptable within NFNL by-laws,” the statement said.

“The president of EFC advised the NFNL football operations manager of the match payment arrangement for season 2023 during April 2023.

“After consultation with AFL Victoria, the NFNL directed EFC to get all senior players to sign an additional standard player contract which stated “I acknowledge match payments will only be paid for rounds 1 to 14.

DIV 1: REASONS WHY WHITTLESEA COACH STEPPED DOWN

LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE

GALLERY: BEST SNAPS FROM WEEKEND’S LOCAL FOOTY ACTION

“In June 2023 the NFNL management and board directed the EFC to have all senior contracted players sign a statutory declaration confirming they were only receiving match payments for rounds 1 to 14 of the 2023 season and no match payments for finals.

“The NFNL management and board also directed the EFC president, football manager and treasurer to sign statutory declarations confirming players were only receiving match payments for rounds 1 to 14 of the 2023 season and no payments for finals.

“In addition to players signing two separate player contracts and a statutory declaration, the EFC has also provided the NFNL an Excel spreadsheet documenting individual player payments.”

Eltham faces third-placed South Morang at Mill Park Lakes on Saturday before a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash with the Creekers the following week.