OVENS and Murray clubs are taking the field with more than 12 points to spare under the player cap implemented this season.
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Analysis of the first 11 rounds reveals the average senior team is 29.9 points – well below the limit of 42.
Wangaratta is the league’s poster boy for the new points system, averaging just 22.9 points. The Magpies have taken the field with a 21-point team – the lowest figure possible – on four occasions and have never gone higher than 27.
Wodonga Raiders, on the other hand, are averaging 40.2 and used the maximum 42 points available in the opening two rounds of the season. Daryn Cresswell’s charges have only dipped below 40 twice, including Saturday’s win over Yarrawonga when they used 39 points.
The cap is set to drop to 38 from next season but AFL North East Border regional manager John O’Donohue and his team will review whether it can go even lower.
While O’Donohue is keen to see how the numbers stack up after the June 30 clearance deadline, the initial figures suggest a cap in the low 30s would be feasible in the Ovens and Murray.
The points system, along with the soon-to-be-implemented salary cap, was introduced as an equalisation measure and to rein in out-of-control player payments.
After 11 rounds, six clubs are below the league average of 29.9.
Along with the Magpies, Wangaratta Rovers (25.3), Myrtleford (25.4), Corowa-Rutherglen (26.2), Yarrawonga (28.8) and North Albury (29.8) all have at least 12 points to spare each weekend.
“To prepare yourself for the points and the potential salary cap changes, you want to have as many local players as possible,” Wangaratta coach Brendan Cairns said.
Lavington (31.5), Albury (33.3) and Wodonga (35.5) all sit in the 30s, behind the Raiders.
The Tigers, Bulldogs and Raiders are the only sides to have not fielded a side worth less than 30 points with the Panthers dropping below that mark twice despite averaging 31.5.
The Magpies, Hawks and Roos have been below 30 points every week, as has Myrtleford with the exception of round nine.
The Saints were granted a cap of 46 after winning the wooden spoon but haven’t got near that figure with their young, home-grown talent pushing them into the top five this season.
Should the cap drop lower than 38 for 2017, winless Corowa-Rutherglen could apply for a higher limit to allow it to recruit players.
Xavier Mardling
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
