Rupertswood RDFL coach Kevin Fitzgerald calls for salary cap consistency

RUPERTSWOOD coach Kevin Fitzgerald has hit out at salary cap inconsistencies across rival competitions.

Rupertswood and Sunbury Kangaroos lock horns last season. Picture: Kylie Else

RUPERTSWOOD coach Kevin Fitzgerald has hit out at salary cap inconsistencies across rival competitions.

After the player points system was implemented by AFL Victoria last year, the salary cap will be introduced this season as part of the Community Club Sustainability Program, but Fitzgerald said discrepancies had resulted in his club not being able to retain some key personnel.

The Riddell District Football League has a salary cap of $110,000, while the cap in Division 2 of the Essendon District Football League is substantially higher at $150,000.

Fitzgerald’s angst stems from his club losing local players like ruckman Jorden Braddy, who has crossed to EDFL outfit East Sunbury.

“If AFL Victoria is serious about enforcing it, don’t give East Sunbury an enormous advantage as to how much money they can give and they are in a much lower competition,” Fitzgerald said.

“There’s a fault there with the system and they need to address it.

“We didn’t want to lose Jordy Braddy, but with the financial situation we couldn’t keep him and that’s a real shame.

“I understand a lot of guys move around local clubs, but that’s a situation that really shouldn’t come about.”

RDFL general manager Steve Williams said the salary cap was something suburban football needed to ensure its future and all clubs in the league had discussed it.

“Almost 90 per cent of clubs across the state said in a survey that something had to be done about escalating player payments, player movement and club sustainability,” he said.

He said he found it “interesting” some RDFL clubs had indicated they were unlikely to reach the payments limit this year.

AFL Victoria club sustainability manager Darryl Collings said consideration was given to the level of player payments in neighbouring leagues.

He said the state body would continue to monitor and educate clubs how the cap will work this year and beyond.