AFL clubs are bracing for an order to cull list sizes to 35 players in 2021

AFL clubs are preparing for list sizes to be cut to 35 players next season. But where does that leave the Gold Coast Suns, who have a league-high 51 players on their list? Plus, player numbers won’t be the only cuts.

The Gold Coast Suns would be forced to off-load 16 players if AFL list sizes were stripped back to 35.

Footy’s $250 million disaster club has a league-high 51 players on its list as a result of emergency concessions awarded by the AFL commission last year.

Clubs are bracing for an order to cull their lists from about 45 to 35 in 2021 in a bid to save costs.

But player agents warned savage list cuts would require the explicit approval of the AFL Players’ Association.

A provision in the collective bargaining agreement struck between the AFL and the game’s 850 players three years ago stipulates that changes cannot be made to list sizes without AFLPA agreement.

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Stuart Dew and the Suns face some tough decisions at the end of the season. Picture: Getty Images

The players’ union has agreed to a review of the CBA as part of the emergency pay deal struck with AFL boss Gillon McLachlan in March, but serious talks have not begun.

Provision 8.2 (c) of the CBA states that the AFL “shall not make any changes to the AFL Rules which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement”.

The AFL is also intent on slashing the size of next year’s $14.5 million salary cap.

One club boss predicted the salary cap would fall below $11 million in 2021, regardless of the outcome of a yet-to-be revised TV rights deal with Channel 7 and Foxtel.

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The AFLPA will demand full financial transparency from head office during the pay discussions.

Clubs can currently list between 38 and 40 players on their primary list and between four and six rookies.

Another three ‘Category B’ long-term project players are permitted.

Clubs are also expecting the football department soft cap to be wound back from $9.7 million to about $6 million next year.

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While the AFL has access to a $600 million loan facility, one industry figure said the league “had an aversion to debt” and was reluctant to draw too heavily from it.

Clubs are also awaiting a report from league headquarters outlining its own costs reduction plan.

One industry figure said he expected staff numbers at AFL House to be cut by 60 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

The league will not disclose how many workers it employs at AFL House.

Originally published as AFL clubs are bracing for an order to cull list sizes to 35 players in 2021