Northern Football League player points cap set to fall by at least three next year

NORTHERN Football League clubs will have to cope with at least three less points in their player allowance next year.

NFL clubs such as Greensborough and Heidelberg will have less player points next year. Picture: Stuart Milligan.

NORTHERN Football League clubs will have to cope with at least three less points in their player allowance next year.

Leagues were required to provide feedback to AFL Victoria on its draft salary cap policy by last Friday, with the NFL also close to confirming its player points limit for 2017.

The NFL first floated 47 as the likely cap for the second year of the points system in October last year, putting clubs on notice.

The league has operated with the most generous points cap allowed by AFL Victoria — 50 — this year.

But chief executive Peter McDougall said that figure would be trimmed by at least three points next season.

“It definitely won’t be higher than 47, which we’ve already proposed,” McDougall said.

The neighbouring Essendon District Football League has suggested it will maintain a 50-point limit for the next two years and has pressed for a salary cap of $250,000 in its top division.

The NFL has floated salary caps of $200,000 for Division 1, $115,000 for Division 2 and $80,000 in Division 3.

AFL Victoria, which wants to “ensure there is relative consistency across adjoining competitions”, will have the final say on salary cap figures.

The NFL boss said setting an “unrealistic” cap would serve no purpose and clubs needed to live within their means to remain sustainable.

“Part of the process is that we will definitely at least have a look at it and make sure that 12 months on they’re still the appropriate figures,” McDougall said.

The league is expected to confirm its preferred player points and salary cap at tonight’s board meeting.