GSFL clubs not concerned by new player payment by-laws

Four of the six Great Southern Football League’s clubs have admitted to paying players but believe new by-laws restricting payments across regional WA will not have an impact on their club or the league.

The presidents of the six GSFL clubs were canvassed by theAlbany Advertiser this week after the WA Country Football League introduced new laws that will come into effect for the 2017 season.

The major changes to be implemented include a $3000 team salary cap per match, while no player can receive more than $500, except for one marquee player with WAFL or AFL experience.

Last week, GSFL president Joe Burton stated he believed the unprecedented by-laws would not have an impact on the league, a sentiment echoed by the club presidents yesterday.

Reigning premiers North Albany and traditional rivals Royals were the only clubs to state they did not pay their players in 2016.

In contrast, Mt Barker president Gordon Reid admitted that the Bulls paid players but said the changes would not affect his club as much as expected by the local football community.

“A lot of people on the outside are saying this will hurt Mt Barker but, to be honest, what has been brought in is very close to what we did this year,” he said.

“We wouldn’t have to modify it too much if we went down the same track as this year. We were very close to complying to the rules anyway and it’s not going to hugely affect what we are doing.”

Kangas president Iian Woods said his club did not pay players and believed the changes were needed after hearing of increased payments across the State in recent seasons. “It won’t impact us as we don’t pay anybody,” he said.

“I’m not against paying players but the money you hear on the grapevine is out of control.”

Albany Sharks president Geoff Oldfield labelled the new laws “controversial”.

“It won’t affect us as we can’t afford to pay anywhere near the $3000 per game cap,” he said.

“Personally I’m against paying players but it is something we have to live with. The competition would have been pretty boring if there weren’t paid players last season.”

New Railways president Andrew Want said the laws would not affect the club or GSFL, while Royals president Barry Panizza said the introduction of the laws was a “good thing” for football across the State, providing it could be policed.

Denmark-Walpole coach Matt Candy said the new rules would be hard to enforce.