AFL’s young stars to become eligible for JobKeeper wage

Players have been told they will be eligible to receive a government wage subsidy should the season suspension continue into June.

Carlton’s Sam Walsh. Picture: AAP

Some of the AFL’s brightest young stars have been told they will be eligible to receive a government wage subsidy should the season suspension continue into June.

The AFL Players Association told younger and rookie-listed footballers they will receive assistance under the $130bn JobKeeper scheme if the shutdown continues.

The federal government still needs to ratify clubs as eligible employers but the footballers’ union is confident its lowest-paid members will be looked after financially in coming months.

Player agents were told by the AFLPA on Tuesday that footballers drafted last November were eligible for assistance as they were considered full-time employees on March 1.

The advice comes as Port Adelaide chairman David Koch expressed hope the AFL season would resume in July.

After an initial standoff between the AFL and Players Association, footballers agreed to a 50 per cent wage cut through until May 31. Rookies, who have a base salary of $85,000, will be eligible to receive a salary subsidy through the initial period of closure.

Based on the current agreement between the AFL and its union, should the suspension continue, the entire playing group has agreed to a 70 per cent decrease.

First- and second-year footballers earning less than $140,000 in 2020 would then become eligible for JobKeeper assistance and receive government support to ensure a wage of $1500 a fortnight. This group includes 2019 Rising Star winner Sam Walsh and the most recent No 1 draft pick, Matthew Rowell.

Based on their promise, the young stars are likely to reach the upper echelon of AFL wage earners in coming years.