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MPNFL: Salary cap to differ in Division 1 and 2

A southeast Melbourne suburban football league’s move to set a salary cap difference of $10,000 between in Division 1 and Division 2 next season has one club official suggesting it could set a dangerous precedent.

Red Hill will step up to MPNFL Division 1 after winning the Division 2 premiership in 2019. Picture: Chris Eastman
Red Hill will step up to MPNFL Division 1 after winning the Division 2 premiership in 2019. Picture: Chris Eastman

A club official has questioned why the MPNFL Division 2 salary cap has been slated to be $10,000 lower than the Division 1 limit.

Last week the MPNFL strategic working party recommended the Division 1 cap be $100,000 for the 2021 and ’22 seasons, with the Division 2 limit set at $90,000.

Rye vice president Scott Beel (left).
Rye vice president Scott Beel (left).

The working party’s recommendations, to be presented to AFL Victoria, were based on feedback from clubs.

But Rye vice president Scott Beel said the recommendations go against clubs’ wishes.

“Seventy per cent of the clubs voted for no tier — to have it the same,’’ he said.

“Then for some reason the working committee from the AFL South East have recommended a tiered salary cap, with Division 1 being a hundred grand and Division 2 being 90 grand.’’

Beel suggested having different payment limits in the divisions could set a dangerous precedent and it goes against an unwritten agreement.

“It’s a bit disappointing because four or five years ago when we went to divisional football there was always talk of, ‘oh, no we want to keep it the same, there will be no difference in salary caps’,’’ he said.

“Things change over the years.’’

Beel said while a $10,000 differential initially would not make “a massive difference’’, it could in years to come.

“Look it’s 10 grand but it’s still 10 grand where a club can offer a good player in Division 2 to come to their club because they’ve got 10 grand extra to spend,’’ he said.

“So you know, they could offer someone $400 more a game …

“It’s not massive but I think it could get out of hand because once it starts at 10 grand, all of a sudden next it year it will be 20, the following year 30. All of a sudden it does get out of hand.

“It’s disappointing because it was spoken about everything staying the same and not having different salary caps and now it’s changed.

“What I can’t work out is that 70 per cent (of clubs) voted to have the same salary cap.’’

Meanwhile, AFL South East has requested the AFL Victoria provide clarity on several matters relating to total team points and player points given the cancellation of the season.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/mpnfl-salary-cap-to-differ-in-division-1-and-2/news-story/dd44ddbf91018ffb530f8c3872f03c2b