AFL Goulburn Murray cuts salary caps for 2021

CHANGES TO 2021... Clubs in the Goulburn Valley Football League and across the Goulburn Murray AFL region will have their salary caps lowered for the 2021 season to ensure the financial viability of clubs and fairness of the competition. Photo: Supplied.
CHANGES TO 2021… Clubs in the Goulburn Valley Football League and across the Goulburn Murray AFL region will have their salary caps lowered for the 2021 season to ensure the financial viability of clubs and fairness of the competition. Photo: Supplied.

FOOTBALL Leagues across the Goulburn Murray region will have their Allowable Player Payments (APP) slashed for the 2021 season.

Clubs in the Kyabram District, Murray, Picola and District, and Goulburn Valley (GVL) leagues will see salary cap reductions of between 12 – 29 percent, with the move considered a boost for community football that allows clubs to plan for future seasons while achieving greater financial stability and viability.

Clubs in the GVL will see the largest cut, with a $50,000 reduction in their AAP, down from $175,000 in 2020 to $125,000 in 2021.

AFL Goulburn Murray Commission chairman, Peter Foott said the move would ensure teams are strong and well-matched financially on and off the field.

“It is important ‘stronger’ clubs do not obtain an unfair proportion of top players at the expense of other clubs,” he said.

Goulburn Valley League president, David Roff, supported the move and said, “The 2020 non season has been a significant challenge and although we are not yet sure what 2021 will look like, a reduction in the salary cap in 2021 will assist clubs to improve their sustainability.

“The realignment of salary caps between metropolitan and non-metropolitan leagues will also make clubs in the Goulburn Valley League relatively more attractive to players who may wish to enjoy a high standard of football.”

For the 2021 season, the Murray Football League salary cap will be cut from $140,000 to $100,000, the Picola and District League cut from $105,000 to $90,000 and the Kyabram District League cut from $85,000 to $75,000.