Salary cap: AFL Victoria bolsters resourcing to keep footy payments in check

Anomalies have been detected from audits on than 100 country footy teams conducted since the end of last season, but no major breaches as the process nears completion.

AFL Victoria is doubling down on its commitment to the salary cap as the key tool in controlling expenditure on country footballers.

The governing body’s first crack at auditing every club that played off in a grand final is 96 per cent complete with remaining checks to be completed in 10 days.

No major breaches have been detected to date.

But in some cases clubs missed lodgement dates, had incomplete or incorrect player declarations, and non-declared player forms and misinterpreted coach payment deals.

“AFL Victoria commends the clubs on the way they have co-operated with the review and were able to clarify anomalies identified and submit documents not initially provided to satisfy the compliance requirements,” community football manager John O’Donohue said.

“The feedback from clubs that were reviewed has been positive in that they are now better informed as to the obligations and management of their allowable player payments.”

AFL Victoria community football manager John O’Donohue.

Electronic systems to better manage player payments are being explored alongside an “aspirational” goal to have all clubs compliant by June 30 each year.

AFL Victoria has five compliance officers and 15 integrity officers policing the cap.

“AFL Victoria is committed to providing support to where it’s needed most, including easing the burden on volunteers who are often responsible for administrative requirements at clubs,” Mr O’Donohue said.

Many club and league officials remain sceptical that upfront, sign-on cash payments can ever be truly stamped out.

Salary caps this season range from $30,000 in the Omeo District league to $130,000 in the Ovens and Murray and Goulburn Valley leagues.

There has been no addition to the 26 country clubs that have folded since 2000 in the off-season.

Wycheproof-Narraport has agreed to merge with neighbouring club Nullawil next year in a move welcomed by Paul White, right, his son Rory and his children, Teddy, 3 and Billy, 8. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

But two newly-merged entities, Southern Mallee Thunder and Maryborough Giants, will take the field for the first time in coming weeks.

North Central league clubs Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport will merge for the 2025 season.

Corowa-Rutherglen made a successful return to the Ovens and Murray league on Saturday after putting three football teams in recess last year.

“Understanding local environments, identifying key people of influence within the football and broader communities will be vital in ensuring that the game thrives in growth areas and consolidates in areas experiencing declining trends in population,” Mr O’Donohue said.

“AFL Victoria recognises that areas of regional Victoria face inevitable challenges to maintain the footprint of community sport, not just Australian rules football.

“However, maintaining current levels of participation in those areas can be considered growth and therefore requires localised approaches to engage communities appropriately.”