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Larry Bird wrote: WAFL clubs are furious at a WA Football Commission leak that has seen all official payments to league players this season disclosed to every other club.

And it is understood the payments show that at least one top-four club is on track to exceed the salary cap this year and may be forced to drop players to avoid a substantial breach.

This is the exact quote as it appeared in the West Australian. If you don't like the wording of "ahead of the cap at half way" perhaps on track to exceed the salary cap is easier on your ears.

Well I can say that South Fremantle are not one of those clubs - we are way under both the points & salary cap this year Mister Bird

Good morning Swan42 have a good day. I'm 84 years young and I have just joined the gym with my pensioners league. Now on doing some research I want some feedback from you.

In 2014 Swans started the year 8 wins 2 losses and flying . In contrast they won 1 of their last 7 matches. In that one victory they trailed Perth at home by 31 points at three quarter time but managed to win by 6 points.

I was stunned by this form reversal, do you think being ahead of budget on match payments had an adverse effect on Swans second half of the year. Was selection compromised to pull back inside the salary cap.

So that makes two Southerner South and EP playing fair.

come on LB, everyone knows EP and Peel have the most number of 10 point players running around every weekend.....whilst I side with you on the salary cap breeching debate, your other assertion that EP are playing fair is bordering Nadia Comeneci like mate.....

in regards to SD last year.....apparently the youngsters ran out of puff .....gives most pensioners hope then hey mate?.....well it did for EF pensioners in that stunning come from behind win v SD in the 1st semi.......not so this year though!

Very tongue in cheek Freezin regarding EP playing fair. Our financial edge far exceeds on field strength this year though.

Larry Bird wrote: Good morning Swan42 have a good day. I'm 84 years young and I have just joined the gym with my pensioners league. Now on doing some research I want some feedback from you.

In 2014 Swans started the year 8 wins 2 losses and flying . In contrast they won 1 of their last 7 matches. In that one victory they trailed Perth at home by 31 points at three quarter time but managed to win by 6 points.

I was stunned by this form reversal, do you think being ahead of budget on match payments had an adverse effect on Swans second half of the year. Was selection compromised to pull back inside the salary cap.

Larry, there were 15 Swans players last year who played 19, 20 and 21 games in the season ( 21 games was the whole season). These guys were the core of the team and those who I would regard as the highest paid players. I think you might be struggling to prove as you seem to be suggesting that there was any manipulation at the selection table.

Thanks Mike. No not at all I reviewed the season out of interest, but I have not dug deeper into who missed games etc. The drop off in performance to an outsider is staggering. If you tell me no players where shuffled into the reserves or rested I believe you 100 percent. I know of a case at EP when a high profile player had financial trouble and wanted his match payments up front. I believe this was knocked back and he returned back to his original club who obliged. Reading between the lines this may have happened at Swans last year.

Larry Bird wrote: Thanks Mike. No not at all I reviewed the season out of interest, but I have not dug deeper into who missed games etc. The drop off in performance to an outsider is staggering. If you tell me no players where shuffled into the reserves or rested I believe you 100 percent. I know of a case at EP when a high profile player had financial trouble and wanted his match payments up front. I believe this was knocked back and he returned back to his original club who obliged. Reading between the lines this may have happened at Swans last year.

Actually if you look at the ladder after round 18 last year, Swans were 12 wins and 4 losses and equal on points with the eventual premiers Subiaco.
Then Swans lost their last 4 games of the home and away season starting with a very poor effort at Joondalup where they only kicked 1 point in the first half. Then there was a competitive loss to East Perth in Bunbury followed by thrashings from the two Fremantle teams who were both flying at that stage. They certainly fell away towards the end of the season but I think you could attribute it more to loss of form and confidence than anything else. Of course they were certainly competitive for 3 quarters in the final that they played at Shark Park.

That all makes sense Mike.

Larry Bird wrote: Thanks Mike. No not at all I reviewed the season out of interest, but I have not dug deeper into who missed games etc. The drop off in performance to an outsider is staggering. If you tell me no players where shuffled into the reserves or rested I believe you 100 percent. I know of a case at EP when a high profile player had financial trouble and wanted his match payments up front. I believe this was knocked back and he returned back to his original club who obliged. Reading between the lines this may have happened at Swans last year.

So what you are saying is that you have absolutely no idea and JUST MAKE IT UP. Once again I will pass on the invitation from Swans' Treasurer, Paul Douglas, that he is willing to discuss this matter with you or anyone else in person. I suspect that you won't take the offer up because you are sungularly not interested in the FACTS. That seems based on your actions and words that you have absolutely no interest in finding out the facts; instead you just want to peddle baseless inuendo.

To put it bluntly: the ball is firmly in your court, put up or shut up.