MORE FOOTBALL - ADDY ISO-SEASON SATURDAY SCOREBOARD - round 7 results
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
MORE FOOTBALL - How all 10 BFNL clubs are approaching their return to training
MORE FOOTBALL - Sam Kerridge keen to take a break from footy in 2020
WITH season 2020 now wiped out in the Heathcote District league, Colbinabbin coach Julian Bull believes clubs need to know as soon as possible what next year's salary cap and player points situation will be so preparations can begin for locking in a 2021 playing list.
The Heathcote District league is the first in the region to have put a line through the 2020 season due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, including the uncertainty around timelines of a return to full scale training, the prospect of no crowds being allowed at games and subsequent financial implications, but most importantly, for health and safety reasons.
Season 2020 was going to be a mission of redemption for Colbinabbin after the Grasshoppers lost last year's grand final to North Bendigo by 36 points.
Instead, that shot at redemption will now need to come in 2021, with Bull hopeful of retaining a list that will again challenge.
Bull wants to get cracking immediately on shoring up the core of his 2021 squad, but says it's difficult with the uncertainty around how significantly salary caps will be slashed and with no games being played this year, will player point deductions and additions be applied next season?
"I really want a few questions addressed from AFL Central Victoria, AFL Victoria and the Heathcote District league... there is currently talk of salary cap cuts for next year ahead of next season being the hardest year any club has had to prepare for and recruit for due to these circumstances," Bull said at the weekend.
"Having that uncertainty around the salary cap going into what is now a re-signing period of players and recruiting period and not knowing what you've got there makes it so much harder.
"So while there's no season this year, my main focus now is probably like every other coach and that's to lock down our current playing list to roll forward with, but it's bloody hard when you don't know what you've got to spend."
The Heathcote District league salary cap was this year set at $130,000.
League chairman Peter Cole said following the league's decision to abandon its 2020 season he'd "be happy for the salary cap to drop to $90,000 because it would secure our clubs financially", while he also believes that 2020 should be classed as a season played regarding any player points deductions and additions for 2021 values.
Meanwhile, with clearances still open Bull has no doubt that he will have Colbinabbin players approached by clubs from other leagues that are still a chance of playing this year.
"I know these conversations are going to need to be had over the next couple of weeks. I would love to say to a player you go and play for whatever team it may be, as long as you sign this contract that says you're coming back next year," Bull said.
"I'd have no issue with that at all, but the problem is we can't do contacts until we know what we've got to play with in terms of the salary cap."
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.