The player points cap at Essendon District Football League will be in line with its metropolitan neighbours next season.
Last Tuesday, the EDFL announced clubs across its three divisions will have a points cap of 50 in 2016, in accordance with AFL Victoria’s decision.
The cap is the first in a two-step program aimed at levelling out competitions and cutting spiralling costs.
The player points system is broken into six categories, with each registered player’s points determined by their playing history and achievements.
As well, all 2015-registered EDFL players who remain at their club next year will receive a one-off, two-point reduction for next season.
EDFL general manager Marc Turri said the league had been in favour of a points cap for a number of years.
“We have always been a supporter of introducing a player points system,” Turri said on the league’s website.
“This dates back to August 2013 when the decision was made by the EDFL and our clubs to start investigating a player points system and the potential effects this may have on the EDFL and our clubs.
“This was prior to the announcement by AFL Victoria of its decision to undertake a statewide program.”
As previously reported by Star Weekly, the EDFL announced at its best and fairest awards night it was considering a 55-point player cap.
Proclaiming its 50 point-cap, the league said on its website there had been discussions with AFL Victoria over the difficulties some teams would face coming under the limit.
“In line with correspondence from AFL Victoria, the EDFL submitted our preferred points cap by the cut-off date of July 31, 2015,” the website said.
“This was prior to any suggestion of a maximum 50-point cap being included in the policy.
“Upon notification of the possible introduction of a [50-point] ceiling to the player points cap, the EDFL continued our consultation with the clubs, advising them of the potential 50-point cap, back in August.
“The EDFL also continued to liaise with AFL Victoria, highlighting a number of intricacies of the EDFL competition, with a number of clubs operating at a level well above the proposed 50-point cap in 2015.
“These discussions with AFL Victoria centred on the difficulties that a number of clubs would have in managing a 50-point cap – and the difficulties the EDFL would have in immediately implementing such a strict cap, with a transitional approach being the preferred option,” the website stated.
Turri said that, despite these concerns, the league would implement the cap next season.
“We look forward to working with our clubs and AFL Victoria on the successful implementation of the player points system,” Turri said.
