‘Silly amounts of money’: Scottsdale pushing for Player Points System changes

Scottsdale is talking with the NTFA to make alterations to the Player Points System, adamant it doesn’t deter Premier League players defecting to lower division clubs offering “silly amounts of money”.

New Scottsdale coach Rickie Dolliver addresses players at training. Picture: Scottsdale FC

Scottsdale is pushing the NTFA to adjust their Player Points System (PPS), adamant the current format affects their ability to recruit and retain players, and doesn’t deter Premier League players enough from defecting to community league clubs.

New Magpies coach Rickie Dolliver revealed keeping players has proven a challenge, alleging division one and two clubs are offering “silly amounts of money”.

The NTFA Premier League has been allocated 38 points, less than the community leagues (division one and two) who have been allocated 40.

The reasoning for that decision would likely be some community clubs don’t have direct junior development pathways, with club juniors weighed less on the PPS.

The points structure is made more difficult by the region’s major structural overhaul, and the vastly differing advantages or disadvantages affecting each club.

In the SFL the numbers are reversed, with the Premier League having 40 and the community leagues 35.

However, both leagues have set up provisions in the system where clubs can apply to receive more points based on ‘unique local circumstances’, or will be automatically applied after a prolonged stint at the bottom half of the ladder.

Dolliver is of the firm belief the system gives Premier League players more incentive to move to community level clubs than vice versa.

“Trying to retain players has been difficult. We’ve spoken to the league about it already, but there was some teams in second and third division offering silly amounts of money to people who shouldn’t be playing at that level,” he said.

“If you can get away with training once a week or not at all sometimes (it’s attractive to players).

“We’re pushing as far as the point system goes to try and make it more even for teams coming into the Premier League, we’ll see what happens in that space.

“The guys coming back a division, some were only attracting one point for instance and offering more money.

Scottsdale coach Rickie Dolliver. Picture: Supplied

“I don’t know how clubs like us and Deloraine, Brighton down south even, and some other teams are going to compete if they don’t change that system.”

Under the system, this year’s Premier League premiers’ player points for 2026 would be stripped back to 36, with that number rising one point to sixth spot, or the wooden spooners, with 41.

The policy also states the ‘Player Points System Committee (PPSC) will consider all applications from clubs for the allocation of additions Total Team Points or Salary Cap Extensions in accordance with this PPS policy (ie applications based on unique local circumstances).

It also states ‘the PPSC may allocate additional points or apply deductions to Total Team Points to specific clubs in accordance with this PPS policy to manage unique local conditions, and meet the needs of local clubs and the relevant senior competitions.’

“I know the league is working on it. The point system has to be a bit more even than it is at the moment for teams like us to recruit,” Dolliver said.

“Not so much for us to recruit from second division, but for second division to recruit from first division there doesn’t seem to be any real disincentive, if you like.

“If the league is keen to get the best players playing premier league, they’re not helping that situation by letting players go back for one point, for instance, to play second or third division.

“Even guys that have left Scottsdale to go into town or play in Devils programs, it’s very hard to even get them back once they’re settled in and played for a year or two.

“It is a challenge but I’m not shying away from that. I knew the first year wasn’t going to be easy. It’s been a bit more obvious once I got here jobs aren’t easy to find unless you’re a farmer or labourer or tradesperson.”

In October, Scottsdale president David Mullins told this masthead they intend to apply for more points in order to be more competitive initially.

Dolliver built a reputation as a development coach with former club Belconnen in Canberra and intends to bring their strong under-16 and under-18s through the system.

But that will take some time before they’re ready to play premier league senior football full time.

“There’s an allowance in the points system to apply for more. That will go to the board and they’ll assess our situation, but you have that scope to apply,” Mullins said.

“I don’t think there would be any objections to it (from stronger clubs), and we will apply for it because we do need compensation on the points side of things.

“They (other clubs) are very positive in that space, it’s no good to anyone if they come out here and kick our arse.

“They’re on board to try and make things competitive, so they get a good game of footy.

“We’d like to get as many (points) as they can give us, but they’ll look at it within reason so it’s fair to the others.”

NTFA PLAYER POINTS SYSTEM

(Credit: NTFA PPS Policy, NTFA Competition 2025)

TOTAL TEAM POINTS

For 2025 all Premier League Clubs will be allocated 38 points.

Community League Seniors (Division 1 & 2) allocated 40 points

For 2026 onwards:

Premier League Seniors (finishing position after finals in the previous season)

36 Points – Premiers; 37 Points – Runner Up; 38 Points – Third Place; 39 Points – Fourth Place; 40 Points – Fifth Place; 41 Points – Sixth Place;

Community League Seniors (Division 1 & 2) (finishing position after finals in the previous season) 34 Points – Premiers; 35 Points – Runner Up; 36 Points – Third Place; 37 Points – Fourth Place; 38 Points – Fifth Place; 39 Points – Sixth Place; 40 Points – Seventh Place; 41 Points – Eighth Place; 42 Points – Ninth Place (3)

Under 18’s Boys – 30 Points (subject to there being 2 divisions of Under 18 teams)

* The PPSC will consider all applications from clubs for the allocation of additional Total Team Points “or Salary Cap Extensions” in accordance with this PPS Policy (i.e. applications based on unique local circumstances)

* The PPSC may allocate additional points or apply deductions to Total Team Points to specific Clubs in accordance with this PPS Policy to manage unique local conditions and meet the needs of local Clubs and the relevant senior Competitions.

* Additional total team points may be allocated if a Club;

- has finished in the last three positions on the ladder for two consecutive seasons;

- is in a region with a low population base endures significant hardship, lack of success, is coming out of recess, or is a recently merged or restructured entity. can prove special dispensation to the League on a case by case basis.

* Any decision to alter the Total Team Points cap must be approved by the PPSC to ensure the evenness and equalisation objectives of this PPS Policy are achieved.