Goulburn Valley: Former Mooroopna forward Chris Nield suspended for not speaking to salary cap investigators

AFL Goulburn-Murray has made a big call on a former star player who is not co-operating with salary cap investigators.

Former Goulburn Valley league star Chris Nield has been suspended for failing to co-operate with AFL Victoria salary cap investigators.

The dual Mooroopna best and fairest winner was banned for four matches from playing in any AFL-affiliated competition nationally.

He has played for Mooroopna for the past three seasons and topped the GV goalkicking with 82 goals in 2022 and represented the league against Ovens and Murray the last two seasons.

Under the landmark suspension handed down by AFL Goulburn-Murray’s player payments disciplinary committee last week, Nield cannot play for his new club, Airport West, in the Essendon District league.

But he has played one match for Berrigan this season in the Picola District league that is not affiliated with the AFL.

League operations manager Shane Railton said Nield wouldn’t be able to play again while he was suspended.

“We’re trying to run a competition that is seen to have a lot of integrity so we can’t be seen to be allowing a player under suspension to play for one of our teams,” he said.

Former Mooroopna player Chris Nield, who previously played for Clarence in Tasmania. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Nield played his two matches for Berrigan were before last week’s suspension was handed down.

AFL Victoria rules state: “Upon a request by the integrity officer and within seven days of that request, a player shall provide to the integrity officer such information or details concerning or relating to any payments promised, given or provided to, or applied for the benefit of the player or any associate of the player, by the club or any associate of the club.”

AFL Victoria chief executive Greg Madigan said the suspension highlighted the salary cap was working in country football.

“The process and outcome on this occasion is one example of the system working to assist clubs in being sustainable by addressing the issue of player payment demands whilst seeking to achieve evenly matched competitions with financially viable and sustainable clubs,” he said.

“Football bodies are serious about addressing the burden of player payments and ensuring compliance.

“The integrity of competitions is of paramount importance at all levels of the game and all stakeholders, including leagues, clubs and players, have a responsibility to adhere to the rules put in place.

“AFL Victoria has also committed to putting more resources and support towards the administration of the (salary cap) at the club level, which includes a pool of accredited investigation officers and more training delivered by the regional manager and club development leads which are in place across the state.”

Mooroopna made finals last year, but exited the premiership race in the first week.