The worrying assistant coaching trend which has AFLPA demanding soft cap bump

The assistant coaching fraternity was the hardest-hit by the AFL’s reduction in the soft cap during 2020, and the AFLPA has identified a worrying trend since that reduction, writes JAY CLARK.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 06: Alastair Clarkson, Senior Coach of the Kangaroos and Brett Ratten, Assistant Coach of the Kangaroos are seen during the round 21 AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Melbourne Demons at Blundstone Arena, on August 06, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The AFL has been urged to increase the club’s soft cap in a bid to increase the dwindling number of superstar players joining the coaching ranks.

There are concerns assistant coaching roles are unattractive and remain significantly underpaid following the 30 per cent reductions to the cap during 2020.

The AFL Coaches Association is locked in talks with the league about increasing the cap for next year to help attract players such as Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury to join the coaching fraternity.

Clubs can spend $7,275,000 on football staff each year, down from $9,680,000 million four years ago.

While the league increased the amount by $250,000 for this year, and removed 20 per cent of the senior coaching wage from the soft cap, the Coaches Association says more has to be done.

Not one player who retired with more than 300 games’ experience in the last three years remains in an AFL coaching job.

Players who have hung up the boots in that time include greats Nathan Jones (Melbourne), Marc Murphy (Carlton), Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn/Port Adelaide), David Mundy (Fremantle), Joel Selwood (Geelong) and Trent Cotchin (Richmond).

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Alastair Clarkson with assistant coach Brett Ratten in 2023. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images.

AFLCA chief executive Alistair Nicholson said last year’s increase did not solve all the problems.

“If we look at the player to coaching pathway over the last five years and specifically at the top end with the 300-gamers, they’re not flowing through,” Nicholson said.

“And when you look at why, there is the time and the effort that goes into it all with the pressure and scrutiny that is also attached to the job.

“And then there are the rewards that are currently on offer at the moment.

“So as Pendlebury said, how are we going to address it? Especially before it becomes more of a problem in two or three years’ time.

“We need to put some things in place over the next few years to make it as attractive as possible.

“Leadership groups say it (assistant coach) is such an important role.”

Clubs strongly believe the soft cap should be increased back to near pre-Covid levels despite claims from the AFL spending in football departments got out of hand.

Doctors and medical staff are also weighing up the benefits of being involved in club land against the appeal of working privately which is more lucrative.

Along with a soft cap boost, Nicholson has also pushed for bolstered personal development opportunities for coaches including time at overseas sporting clubs.

A potential transition or retirement fund for coaches departing the industry is also on the cards.

There is also scope for a marketing fund for senior assistant coaches such as Hawthorn’s Brett Ratten and game development money for coaches in the northern states to help promote the game.

Originally published as The worrying assistant coaching trend which has AFLPA demanding soft cap bump