Wodonga Raiders were playing for nothing against Corowa-Rutherglen

Club president Mark Johnston put the option to the players at training on Tuesday night and they overwhelmingly accepted the decision as all clubs look to limit the financial drain of COVID.

Victorian sporting events weren't allowed crowds prior to the latest lockdown forcing all sport to be abandoned and Raiders were scheduled to host Corowa-Rutherglen.

"We had advised the players that it was only for this week, we will take it a week at a time," Johnston offered.

"If we can at the end of the year, we would try and pay the players back for any games they don't get paid."

In years gone by, such a move by a club would have the potential to cause disruptions, particularly just three weeks out from finals, but coach Jarrod Hodgkin says it's been a non-event.

"If the club's not making any money, the players can't expect to be paid. Our players don't expect that and all the boys were fine with it," he revealed.

"It's a good wrap for the culture and the club was good about it, they said if we do get through and we're in a good financial spot, we'll be able to pay you.

"At the same time, it's not something that they can commit to and I'm pretty sure 90 per cent of the clubs are in the same boat.

Interestingly, Myrtleford president Ian Wales confirmed with The Border Mail earlier this week that the Saints would have still paid players for the home game against Wangaratta Rovers.

The salary cap is $120,000 for both seniors and reserves, but that only applies for home and away.

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Under a non-COVID 'normal' 18-round season, it means clubs can spend around $6600 per weekend on the two grades.

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