AFL Goulburn Murray affiliated competitions have been forced to cut their senior footy salary caps as the full effect of the COVID-19 pandemic begins to show.
The Murray Football Netball League has had its Allowable Player Payments (APP) reduced by 29 per cent from $140,000 to $100,000.
The Picola & District Football Netball League’s cap has been cut from $105,000 to $90,000, a reduction of 14 per cent.
AFLGM commission chairman Peter Foott said the changes were a result of clubs being unable to raise funds in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘‘Aligning with the objectives of the AFL Victoria Allowable Player Payments policy, these limits will assist clubs to attract and maintain players, supporters, volunteers and sponsors,’’ Foott said.
‘‘This will ensure teams are, as far as possible, strong and well matched financially on and off the field. It is important ‘stronger’ clubs do not obtain an unfair proportion of top players at the expense of other clubs.’’
PDFNL president Denis Brooks said the league was “more than happy to play its role in reducing the pressure on our country communities and supports the reductions in salary caps for all football competitions’’.
‘‘We are acutely aware of the ongoing difficulties facing our community partners and hope we can assist them as we all emerge in partnership with these businesses from the current restrictions,’’ Brooks said.
Murray Football Netball League president Julie Walsh held a similar view to Brooks.
‘‘The MFNL is all about our clubs and communities and ensuring our clubs can continue to be strong,’’ she said.
‘‘It is good to see movement toward a sustainable approach that is unified across the state and has a long-term application.’’
Clubs do not have to spend the maximum amount indicated by AFLGM.