LW: Bourkey, we've been speculating for a year or so on how the new state-wide local footy player points system to be officially introduced next season may look.
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Finally, we've got our look at it and I reckon it's going to achieve its desired effect of reducing player movement.
Recruiting is certainly going to become much harder work for clubs in the confines of not only the complex points system, but also the incoming salary cap.
It's going to be a massive shake-up for country footy.
AB: Calculators are going to become as valuable as the coaches whiteboard.
Not every club is going to agree with the proposal, but something had to be done.
Smart recruiting, junior development and loyalty will become the key to a club's success.
Westy, we've done the sums and we have a very rough guide as to how many points each BFNL club would use if the teams that took the field last Saturday lined up in round one next year.
Who were the biggest spenders as far as points are concerned?
LW: Righto, these are very basic estimates.
We've got Kangaroo Flat the highest rated at 39 points, followed by Kyneton and Sandhurst at 32, Strathfieldsaye (minus Milne, Ferguson and K. Geary) at 28, South Bendigo at 27, Maryborough, Golden Square, Eaglehawk and Castlemaine at 26 and Gisborne the lowest at 23.
What has become clear in this very brief exercise is that clubs will certainly become very limited in what they will be able to go out and recruit.
The reason Kangaroo Flat's points were so high was because Jayke Barrack, Ryley Barrack and Andrew Cussen all joined the Roos this year from South Bendigo, while there is also some VFL and TAC Cup experience added in with the Barrack lads.
The key to navigating the system will be playing homegrown talent and retention leading to players reducing in points each year.
AB: This is not going to be a quick fix. Just looking at those points you can see power clubs like Golden Square and Eaglehawk already use less points than clubs that have lacked success in modern times like Kangaroo Flat and South Bendigo.
The AFLCV commission is going to play a huge role in this system.
How many more points should the commission give Maryborough than say, Sandhurst?
Should all the Bendigo-based clubs be allocated the same amount of points?
Will this program help or hinder the battling district clubs like Inglewood?
There's some big questions to be answered yet, but as long as the football community is patient I'm confident we'll see some positive results down the track.
However, policing of the salary cap will be a major issue.
Back in the 1980's the wives and girlfriends of players were paid to work in the canteen, so that the club could rort the salary cap system.
Interesting times ahead.