TOPIC:

I'm not against allowing player payments in the WAAFL
Currently we have a $0 salary cap and $15k cap for coaches. The WAAFL have failed to be able to police either of these, not surprising given that much better run competitions with more resources have the same issues.
If a salary cap is introduced at $20k, $30k whatever.. then a points system will still be required so we don't face the same financial pressures that other competitions have faced.

I am not a WAAFL Board Member or a member of the committee looking at this, never have been, never will be.

I am simply a Committee Member of a club that lives within the rules, does not pay players, pays coaches within the rules and is being screwed by others.

We all saw what big money did to the VFL - they had to bring teams in so that they could use the licence money to bail out clubs who had tried to buy premierships and run out of money.

The competition is much bigger than just A and B Grade. How are other clubs going to get up to that level without cheating - by buying and paying players and coaches. It is not just A and B clubs paying - it is rife from A down to at least well into D Grade.

And let's make no mistake IT IS CHEATING!!!

We even had Colts players from our club offered money during the season to move clubs - to say nothing of those poached in the pre-season.

What sort of example are those concerned showing to their children? Cheating in sport is OK so long as you don't get caught?

This is an AMATEUR competition.

I understand all clubs supported this proposal at the WAAFL AGM with ONE exception.

The WAAFL know that they haven't been able to control or catch anyone out for paying player nor do they want to really investigate due to the time and cost, hence the proposed big cash rewards to drop someone in it.
The point system is their way of trying to spread where the money is spent and not allowing the rich clubs to buy who they want.
The comp is flawed but the level of football in the top grades have improved and attracted some quality footballer in the comp.
as they say you can't win them all, can't have your cake and eat it to.
Leave things as they are, if clubs get sponsor who are willing to pump the rumored amount of money into these clubs good luck to them.

Hi guys. Being a player who was payed at country and local footy, i believe everyone will just go bush again the standard in A and B will drop off.
IF a club drops down 2 grades they will destroy the compitition in the lower grades.
IF a player snitches he will be labeled a judas and will not be welcome at any club.
Stupid changes all round.

On a side note. What constitutes paying a player? Almost all clubs pay some way or another eg. No member fees. No ball fees, free beers, bus trips, fuel cards, club merchandise, free bbqs after training shouldn't all of that be classed as player payments?

What constitutes paying a player?
I think the answer to this one is simple, is it just a few players getting the inducement or is it all the players?
ie club merchandise - do ALL the players get a free club polo?
Yes = not a player payment
No, only a select few players = player payment
(Game awards being the obvious exception)

Interesting

Lets all take a deep breath and look at this sensibly.

It's clear that at all levels of football up to WAFL it's near impossible to police player payments adequately.

A points system simply limits the advantage paying płayers can inhibit. With a limit on points clubs can only pay top end players so much. If clubs want to spend big then clubs can only use that money to attraxt a limited amount of other clubs quality players, ex wafl, afl, country players.

Changes to the by laws to reduce the evidence required to punish perpetrators, bigger penalties for clubs and whistleblower rewards add to the prevention.

All involved in the WAAFL should support this and acknowledge that it won't eliminate some breaking the rules but it will have a positive impact on keeping the League as clean as possible.

On the argument of impact and strain on administrations. Let's get serious for a moment. If your club can't handle the addition of applying a points system and and adhering to a simple points tally for your league side, perhaps you shouldn't have a club at all. It's not a big ask.

Let's not be so up in arms. Of course we can't stop payment of players on all levels. But limiting the impact and adding extra prevention measures can only be a good thing. To suggest the quality of footy will reduce dramatically is a big call.

Let's support the changes. It just takes one administrator to work closely with the league coach of your club and we will have cleaner competition. Then we can post on here about footy each week instead of all the crap that has come especially targeting clubs who seem to have been paying many players.

The system works well in the south west and other country leagues, let's work with the WAAFL. Get a simple system, take on the responsibility of a bit of extra admin and stop complaining. All augers well for the Comp.

Thank you Tigerpoint. Exactly what I have been saying on and off for months.

Lets not get confused here tigerpoint the reason the point system works so well in the sth west comp and has evened it out is for 2 reasons first and foremost its a PAID competition so the points system revolves around the paid players and relies on clubs having good committees and good coaches and football people that make smart decisions on recruits and secondly its a 10 team (i think not 100% sure) so u dont have a wide spread of players between many clubs like u do in some amateur club areas so the talent isnt spread as thin. I dont prentend to totally 100% understand the points system they want to bring in to amateurs but to me it seems like its taking away average footballers being able to change cubs and play with there mates becos every player only changes clubs to get paid. Its far from that people dont kill smaller clubs with small junior feeder clubs to me tjats wat a point system will do