Wangaratta coach Daniel Vasilevski feels AWFA's decision to discuss the possible introduction of a points system into the league has been directed at his club.
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The Red Devils lead the competition by three points and last week welcomed former A-League striker Andrew Barisic to their already high-quality side.
AWFA has formed a sub-committee to look at different models, similar to what has been adopted by Australian rules football leagues, such as the Ovens and Murray, to limit the number of players a club can recruit from outside.
"It's funny that it has come about after we've gone and signed Andy (Barisic)," Vasilevski said.
"I kind of had a feeling something was going to come out of it.
"I can understand a points system will probably give the league and clubs a bit more structure in terms of signing players and maybe making a level playing field.
"But at the same time, I don't want it to not allow visa players and players that have played at a high level in pro leagues into the league.
"Bringing better players in raises the standard of the league and also raises the profile. I can't see anything negative in that."
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The three clubs outside of Albury-Wodonga - Wangaratta, Myrtleford and Cobram, have won all bar one senior men's league and cup title during the past four seasons, with Albury United's 2015 league triumph the only exception.
Vasilevski believes if the system was to be put in place, it would hurt the top clubs more than the rest.
"Instead of trying to raise the standard of the clubs that aren't as successful, you're going to cut down the clubs doing well. It should be the other way around," he said.
"The argument always comes back to supposed match payments.
"I don't think that's an excuse or the reason why clubs like Wang and Myrt are doing so well.
"Some of the clubs we've played against have come out 10 minutes before kick-off for a warm up, so that's not going to do them any good in the game is it?
"You don't need to sign visa players and ex-pros to lift that, it comes down to pride in your performance."
AWFA president Mark Leman denies the executive is exploring the idea of a points system because of the actions of certain clubs.
"This association's executive doesn't target any club, we support the growth of football within the community," Leman said.
"Other associations have introduced points systems, so we felt it was important that we investigate what the points system is, what does it look like and is it appropriate for our association to have that system in place.
"The idea was to get a small group of people to have a discussion, have a look at some other models, compare it to our system and hopefully present something for the clubs for next season, which would probably come out at our rules and regulations meeting in October.
"It's nothing we want to implement, but it's something we've given due diligence around to ensure we're doing all the right things in making sure our competition is sustainable and equal and fair for all clubs."
Leman added a number of questions still need to be answered as to what the system could look like, such as the values placed on players and covering a range of players that could find their way into the association.
"We're working on a couple of different models and comparing them to our region to see what it looks like," he said.
Melrose coach Kade Rixon said he "isn't bothered in the slightest" by high-quality players coming in.
"As a coach, I use it as motivation for my group, although we haven't had much success against the teams people are talking about like Wangaratta and Myrtleford," he added.
"It doesn't mean I put it in the too-hard basket and say let's look to make them weaker so that I'm a chance."
Albury United defender Sam Mason agreed.
"I think it raises the quality, but you've got to look out for the clubs that don't quite have the means of getting players of that quality into the league," he said.
"You still want all the juniors to be looking at the best players and be inspired."
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