Dimboola FNC guilty of breaching player payments in 2021 WFNL season

On the eve of the 2022 season, a Wimmera premiership fancy has been found guilty of breaching their salary cap.

An AFL Wimmera Mallee investigation has uncovered one of the Wimmera Football Netball League’s 2022 premiership fancies breached their salary cap during the 2021 season.

The Dimboola FNC will begin their 2022 senior football campaign at -12 points and will pay a $10,000 fine after being found guilty of exceeding their allowable player payments.

At the conclusion of each season the AFL Wimmera Mallee and other AFL Victoria district offices complete allowable player payment reviews of randomly selected clubs by appointed integrity officers.

After assessing the Dimboola FNC’s 2021 finances, chargers were laid by AFLWM against the Roos for alleged APP breaches during the 2021 season.

The independent player payment disciplinary committee heard the charges on Wednesday April 6, with Dimboola found guilty.

The AFLWM have fined the club $20,000, with $10,000 of that sum suspended and only payable if Dimboola breach their payments in the next two years.

The club will also start the season at -12 after being stripped of 12 premiership points for the 2022 senior football season. The club’s allowable player points have also been cut by 15 per cent and now sit at 38 for the team. The club’s 2022 finances will also be reviewed as part of the sanctions.

Dimboola FNC senior coach Justin Beugelaar said the club will be releasing a statement regarding the situation in the coming days.

In the meantime, he said his side were preparing to start their season with a win against the Southern Mallee Giants on Saturday.

“This has just made us stronger than ever and added fuel to the fire,” he said.

“It won’t affect our group and doesn’t change our plans for the 2022 season.”

“I can’t speak highly enough of the group. We just want to start this weekend off on the right foot with a win against the Giants.”

AFL Wimmera Mallee regional manager Jason Muldoon said the penalties serve as a reminder for clubs to follow the rules.

“I thank the integrity officer for the comprehensive review that was completed,” he said.

“I also acknowledged the Dimboola FNC for the club’s honesty and willingness to work collaboratively with AFLWM and the integrity officer.”

Heading into the 2022 WFNL season Dimboola are one of the premiership favourites, securing a host of big signings from interstate as well as a strong crop of juniors coming through the ranks.