WAFC MEDIA RELEASE
POINTS SYSTEM REVIEW AND AFL PLAYER ALLOCATION
29 January 2009
For the 2009 season the WAFL competition will operate with a points system to manage the club player lists.
This innovative approach to list management was implemented at the end of 2008 on the basis that should there be a need to modify the player points system then immediate steps would be taken by the WA Football Commission through its Football Affairs Committee. As a result of submissions from Clubs a consultation process was undertaken with the WAFL, resulting in the WAFC making the amendments to the points system detailed below:
1 That the minimum number of Interstate players registered at a WAFL Club under the current WAFL definition of these players shall be increased from 6 to 8 players.
- 2 That there shall be no change to the current points system with respect to compensation for WAFL Clubs that have high numbers of players drafted by the AFL to interstate clubs.
- 3 That there is good reason for a system of compensation to be developed by the WAFL (in respect of high player losses).
- 4 That any player who transfers to a WAFL Club from interstate, or after AFL delisting or even from another WAFL Club, and who then provides 100 games of WAFL service will have his points value to this club immediately halved in the year following the 100th game with a further reduction of 1 point per season after this to a minimum of 2 points in line with a player transferred from a local club.
- 5 That the same player's value to any other club, should he transfer, be set at 2 points higher than his value to his current club.
- 6 That the points value for a local player who wishes to transfer clubs be changed to:
3 points for a player with 1-25 games experience
5 points for a player with 26-50 games experience
10 points for a player with 51-100 games experience
7 points (changed from 10 points) for a player with 100+ games experience, and 1 point deduction (new deduction) for every successive year played after his 100 game year to a minimum of 4 points.
7 That AFL players who have been allocated to a WAFL Club for five seasons and play a minimum of 20 WAFL games (League or reserves grade) in this time may remain with that WAFL Club after AFL delisting as a 5-point player. If that player wishes to play at another club his points value will remain as per the current rule for delisted AFL players.
The WAFC Director of Football, Grant Dorrington, said "The Commission felt that these changes were in the best interests of the competition as a whole.
"It was recognised when adopting the new system for 2009 there may be modifications required and the Commission has acted accordingly.
The Commission applauds the WAFL on the standard of the submissions and the broad thinking involved"
AFL interstate player allocation 2009
East Perth, Claremont and Perth Football Clubs have each added two AFL interstate recruits to their playing stocks for season 2009. Peel Thunder and East Fremantle also received one player to complete this allocation. In all 8 players were allocated to WAFL clubs by the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Football Clubs.
The recruits are allocated in a reverse-draft order by the five lowest finishing teams in the WAFL competition in 2008 to help them in their endeavours to climb the premiership ladder in 2009.
WAFL Operations Manager Clint Roberts said the allocation of these players into the WAFL system has benefited both the clubs and these aspiring AFL players.
"In the past the WAFL clubs, and particularly the coaches, have done a great job in integrating these players into their clubs and helping them to play their best football," Mr Roberts said.
"It is not easy coming to a new State, training with an AFL club and playing in the WAFL competition but all of these players in the past have enjoyed the experience and many have been outstanding in their contribution to their adopted clubs."
The 2009 player allocation:
East Perth Football Club: Luke Shuey (WCE), Zac Clarke (FFC)
Claremont Football Club: Nicholas Suban (FFC), Ben Bucovaz (FFC)
Perth Football Club: Ashley Smith (WCE), Tim Ruffles (FFC)
Peel Thunder Football Club: Jordan Jones (WCE)
East Fremantle Football Club: Chris Hall (FFC)
