Northern Football League clubs having no troubles staying under player points cap

NORTHERN Football League clubs have had no concerns staying under the competition’s “very generous” player points cap over the opening weeks of the season.

Northern Football League chief executive officer Peter McDougall. Picture: Garry Sparke.

NORTHERN Football League clubs have had no concerns staying under the competition’s “very generous” player points cap over the opening weeks of the season.

Only one club — Panton Hill — has gone within five points of the NFL’s 50-point limit so far, with some sides using less than half the permitted points.

Division 1 flag contender Greensborough fielded a side worth just 23 points against Whittlesea last weekend, while Division 3 ladder leader St Mary’s team has amounted to 25 points or less on four occasions.

The NFL has proposed to drop the points allowance to 47 next year and 45 in 2018, although those figures will be reviewed in coming months.

NFL boss Peter McDougall said the transition had been “seamless” for clubs.

“We put (47) out as an indicative number for next year with the view of not setting that in stone until we get a feel for what the numbers were going to look like this year,” McDougall said.

“Nothing’s changed there, we’re definitely monitoring those figures. Midway through the year we’ll start to form a view on whether 47 is still the right number for 2017 or not.”

Heidelberg (39) has the highest average points of any Division 1 side, followed by Bundoora (37), West Preston-Lakeside (36) and Northcote Park (36).

But the unbeaten Tigers could slot two players with recent VFL experience into their star-studded side and still be under this year’s limit.

“It’s fair to say that the 50 points that has come in is a very generous level which probably hasn’t restricted any clubs in their ability to recruit at this stage,” McDougall (pictured) said.

Bundoora coach Phil Plunkett said the introduction of a points cap had been a learning curve for all teams.

“It’s a system where if you play 12 months at the same club you lose two points. Going forward it shouldn’t be too much of a hassle,” Plunkett said.

Panton Hill (40) has the highest average points of any team in the NFL, with North Heidelberg (37) the only other Division 2 side above 35.

South Morang (38), Watsonia and Banyule (both 36) have used the greatest average points of the Division 3 teams, with St Mary’s (25) and Kilmore (26) coming in well under their allocations.

The points limit will operate in conjunction with a salary cap from 2017 as part of equalisation measures unveiled last year by AFL Victoria.

McDougall said the NFL’s salary caps had been locked in after consultation with clubs.

Division 1 sides will have $200,000 to spend, Division 2 clubs $115,000 and Division 3 teams $80,000.

“They were put out there and agreed to by the board for 2017,” McDougall said.

“Therefore, we don’t expect any changes to be made to that.”

Clubs in other metropolitan competitions have had more issues juggling their sides to stay under the points cap.

Essendon District Football League side Pascoe Vale and Western Region Football League premier Deer Park have both hit their competition’s 50-point limit — the maximum allowed — in some matches.

AVERAGE PLAYER POINTS BY DIVISION

DIVISION 1

Heidelberg — 39

Bundoora — 37

West Preston-Lakeside — 36

Northcote Park — 36

Macleod — 32

Whittlesea — 30

Eltham — 29

Greensborough — 29

Lower Plenty — 28

Montmorency — 28

Heidelberg and Northcote Park players jostle for the ball. Picture: Stuart Milligan.

DIVISION 2

Panton Hill — 40

North Heidelberg — 37

Diamond Creek — 33

Hurstbridge — 33

Fitzroy Stars — 32

Thomastown — 31

Lalor — 30

Ruckmen from Banyule and St Mary’s content a tap out. Picture: Stuart Milligan.

DIVISION 3

South Morang — 38

Watsonia — 36

Banyule — 36

Mernda — 32

Heidelberg West — 30

Epping — 28

Kilmore — 26

St Mary’s — 25