Myrtleford president Ian Wales has come out swinging over the club's points allocation for next year.
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The Saints who have the lowest population base in the competition applied for an extra four points over the league standard of 40.
However, AFL NEB knocked back the request with the Saints allocated 42.
A furious Wales said the AFL NEB points allocation was 'mind boggling' and demonstrated a clear lack of understanding of the issues facing clubs with a small population base.
"Before people cast stones they should walk a mile in someone else's shoes," Wales said.
"The difficulties of competing in such a strong competition as the O&M with a population of 3000 is severely underestimated by the AFL NEB and the bigger towns like Albury, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
"My reaction to being allocated an extra two points was whoopee-do - it's not even one more player.
"We just want adequate compensation for being the smallest town in the competition.
"But it seems whenever we start being competitive again we get the rug pulled out from under us for whatever reason."
North Albury and Corowa-Rutherglen were granted the maximum points of 46.
While Wodonga (44) and Wangaratta Rovers (42) were also handed additional points.
All remaining clubs have 40.
"You have to look at the bigger picture and a club's overall performance for the past decade," he said.
"Not just the seniors but all grades.
"Since 2009 in all grades we have won 11 wooden spoons, a combined seven finals appearances and a win-loss ratio of 25 per cent.
"Yet we only get allocated an extra two points."
Wales was also critical of the AFL NEB who have a range of equalisation measures at its disposal besides awarding extra points.
Clubs who have a sustained period of success can have points deducted under rule 8:2.3 which states:
Reduction of total team points may be applied when a club has achieved multiple premierships and/or sustained success over previous seasons.
"Before COVID struck Albury had won seven flags in 11 years from 2009," Wales said.
"If that's not the definition of sustained success, I don't know what is."
ALSO IN SPORT
Wales said Myrtleford was also at a distinct advantage with only a limited amount of juniors in the town.
"In 2018 we didn't even have a thirds side which you need for the future sustainability of your club," he said.
"If you haven't got the juniors coming through, you have to recruit which then costs the clubs points.
"It not unusual for those bigger towns to have 100 kids to pick from for their junior sides.
"We would be lucky to have 25."
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