Local footy: EDFL makes decision on player points for 2021
The Essendon District Football League has settled questions over how many points players will attract in 2021 after the season was cancelled.
Local Footy
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Essendon District Football League presidents have backed the competition’s call to deduct a point from the value of returning players in 2021.
In line with rival metropolitan leagues, the EDFL confirmed in an email to clubs that any player registered before June 26 this year, including recruits for the 2020 campaign, will receive a reduction if they stay put.
AFL Victoria-affiliated competitions are set to reduce a player’s value if they played five senior or reserves games last year, but those who signed on after the 2019 season will not receive a discount despite the coronavirus crisis.
The suburban leagues believe the move rewards players for sticking with their clubs through an uncertain period.
Player points range from one for homegrown junior players to six for former AFL players.
“In all fairness, the players signed up to play footy this year,” Strathmore president John Elliott said.
“It wasn’t their fault (the season was cancelled), so why should the club and the player be held to ransom because of the pandemic?
“I’ll be honest, it makes no difference to Strathmore because we’re very under the points anyway, but I’m all for it.
“I think there are a few clubs that aren’t, but you’ll never get a 100 per cent consensus on anything, but I think it’s only fair.”
Elliott noted players who had signed on for this year completed a full pre-season before the call was made to rule a line through 2020.
The EDFL also made a decision to scrap player payments for what was set to be a truncated nine-round home-and-away season.
Keilor president Craig Hill said the decision would give some clubs the ability to bolster their lists for next year.
“Obviously it helps all clubs from a points’ perspective, so we’re not against it,” Hill said.
“With a lot of one-pointers anyway, it doesn’t have a huge impact for us. It certainly has an impact because we’re not on 25 or 26 points. It certainly assists, but it’s not something that’s going to be the difference between a successful or unsuccessful season next year.
“It will certainly help clubs potentially recruit for 2021 in what will be an uncertain season.”
EDFL chief executive Ian Kyte said earlier this year “the aim is to reward players staying at clubs next year after this year and bring them down a point”.
Salary caps have been slashed by 50 per cent statewide, with Premier Division sides having $100,000 to spend in 2021. Division 1 clubs have a limit of $85,000 and Division 2 sides $70,000.
The EDFL’s player points cap will remain at 47.
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