AFL North East Border regional general manager John O’Donohue admits it won’t have an immediate impact, but it’s imperative.

“I certainly hope it will (prove the saviour),” he said.

“This is not just about evening out competitions and keeping player payments under control, it’s also about avoiding volunteer burnout.”

Ovens and Murray clubs will be able to spend $160,000 a season, with 50 per cent of playing coaches’ salary excluded, up to $20,000. 

Non-playing coaches’ salaries won’t be included.

Tallangatta and District’s salary cap is $80,000, Ovens and King $70,000, while the Upper Murray is locked in at $50,000.

Clubs have until April 30 to register contracts.

It comes on top of the player points system, which was introduced for the 2016 season.

The O and M started with 42 points, but has dropped to 38 for next year.

Salary caps have been implemented previously, but they were perceived as being difficult to control, with limited league staff.

“Integrity officers will be conducting audits of clubs,” O’Donohue said.

“Players have had too much control, we’re looking to wrest control back off the players.

“Clubs are telling us though that players are still expecting pay increases (for next year).”

Breaches are divided into two areas – procedural and cap.

Procedural issues will include failing to submit information or contracts.

Suspensions for players, fines up to $15,000 and stripping clubs of premiership points are among the penalties for breaches.

Albury’s domination has been the talking point of the O and M in recent years, but O’Donohue stressed the salary cap is a statewide issue.

There’s a fear the cap could end the days of high-profile AFL recruits, such as Brendan Fevola and Barry Hall, but O’Donohue doesn’t agree.

“Based on the feedback from clubs that’s not the case, but they’ll need to balance it out,” he said.

The Goulburn Valley has a cap of $185,000.