Just follow the rules and you won't have a problem.

I think you are missing the point. You obviously do a lot for your club so well done, but unfortunately some clubs cannot find the people with the time to be able to do this as you.

I would think that your club would be in the minority in not only reporting correctly to the ATO, but in that they have minimal payments (not syaing this is a bad thing). some clubs need the extra players to be competitive and have to pay to get these. Success breeds success so you try and re-build a club around winning games. Its very hard to improve with out recruitment.

You have the advantage of being the biggest town in your league so the ability to gain juniors as well as other players is alot easier. This isnt just an attack on you or your club but just trying to argue my point.

How do you think teams in your league like hamley, united and perhaps virginia are going to survive if they cant pay players more than they can get at a club down the road from where they live. I find it hard to see under the new system how teams get better.

Yes there are some clubs that have not paid there players under a sustainable model. I feel if your club can generate the revenue and do it sustainably then they should be able to spend what they want or what ever they see fit.

Looking at Hamley as an example why did the league give them more points? they gave them enough rope to hang themselves. as much blame should be on the league as there is on the club.

another argument is to put the money into juniors, what can you honestly spend to gain juniors? do we start paying them? spare me. you gain juniors by winning games. you run football clubs to win games and premierships.

From an Association point of view, there are two possible directions this may head... To look at those you examine the existing teams first...

Balaklava - Good population, good junior numbers for the future of the comp, solid senior group already, local area sustainable, no risk of the town diminishing in the immediate future GOOD POSITION
Hamley Bridge - Small population, one ok junior side but not enough number to count on this for future, minimal senior representation, already a small town, with no immediate plans for growth DANGEROUS POSITION
Hummocks - Ok populations for the combined areas, ok juniors now, seniors improving but will rely heavily on recruited players for sustainability, Pt Wakefield will always be a busy area, but we already see that on locals alone (last year as an example) it is could prove difficult to compete. SEMI DANGEROUS POSITION
Mallala - Great Population, always good numbers and solid juniors, a core senior group that has been able to retain multiple 'imports' for multiple years, local area sustainable, good future for their area GREAT POSITION
Two Wells - Growing Population - Really good junior numbers and program, Senior group strong and still relatively young across the board, local area growing GREAT POSITION
United - Small Population, average junior numbers and results similar to Hamley, Local senior group ok but some are nearing the end of their playing days so rely on recruits to remain competitive and/or challenge, future growth of the area unlikely DANGEROUS POSITION
Virginia - Good population, junior numbers a huge concern esp given the population, had a great senior group that have stuck together for a while, but in 5 years if some/most are gone, who replaces them, the area itself is in great shape, urban sprawl will only add numbers MIDDLE ROAD POSITION

SUMMARY - Balak, Mallala and Two Wells are in really good positions, but 3 teams dont make a comp. Virginia are in a good position with their senior footy, but their juniors are a huge concern and i dont think they have their full compliment of netty teams either (but dont quote me). Hamley, United and Hummocks are the concerns (all at different levels of course). All have minimal numbers or depth in local senior ranks, and the ones that are there may be getting towards the back end of their careers. All 3 over the last two years have shown, to differing levels, that when relying on mainly locals, they are on a hiding to nothing, when a good local contingent are available with MULTIPLE 'imports', then they can compete. But when team are solely relying on imports to remain competitive, that is not a good sign.

So

Option 1 - Add Angle Vale in, bringing more numbers into the competition can't be a bad thing since EVERY country comp is struggling with participation rates. It is not out of the way in terms geographical location, and with high junior participation levels, it may filter into the rest of the comp where some teams are experiencing low numbers. Comp goes to 8, possible allows for an even draw not relying on byes, should be seen as a positive. If a team like Hamley folds, you are still left with a 7 team comp, so while not great to lose a club, the comp itself remains in a similar position but with higher junior numbers. Remembering that junior number will be the reason the comp continues in the future.

Option 2 - Change nothing. But what that does is put pressure on EVERYONE. Hamley have a long road ahead, with a non existant local playing base at the moment, they either have to wait to their juniors filter through (which numbers aren't that high anyway) or constantly rely on players from outside the town (imports in one form or another). Lets just say hypothetically that doesnt work out, comp is down to 6. Then lets say United (not picking on them, just an example) have 5 or 6 existing locals retire, the sugggested salary cap and points system restrict them from recruiting good numbers, then they are in the position like Hamley are now (and results this year have shown when all their imports have been out injured they have been belted even if not Hamley like), then in a few years they fold (and I could have used Hummocks as an example given similar demographics), down to 5 team... = COMP GONE .... what then...

Well I see it like this,

Virginia - perfect fit for the Ammo's solid senior numbers who could easily go up the divisions, no pressure of junior numbers which they are struggling with.
Mallala and Two Wells - Both enter the Barossa league, good juniors, strong seniors, strong netty, close proximity to the area, ticks all the boxes
Balak - Join the North Eastern league, same as above, but geographically better suited to the NE comp.
Hummocks - If sustainable, potentiall join the Yorkes league, travel wise would be relitively similar, strength of the comp may suit. If not sustainable, then potentially fold.
Hamley and United - Given population issues, potential of area growth being minimal, ability to recruit players to the club limited by the cap and points sytem, they both find themselves (at some stage but not immediate in United case) unsustainable. They could potentially merge together and attempt to join another league, I doubt the Barossa would take a third team, maybe too far away from the NEFL... not looking too bright if the comp goes bust.

So everyone has to ask themselves, if they sit around and do little and hope the association stays as it is because thats the way we like it, then they will be in for a big shock, the APFL (with other country leagues I may add) will die a slow death.

Thought of the day Hamley Peckers/Balak Bombers!! I see Balak had a few boys play 2 games this week, when was the last time this happened?? :D :D :D
About two weeks ago against Mallala.

It's not ideal and we could have avoided it by playing some colts but with the finals coming up and the colts in the hunt, it made sense to have a few blokes go around twice than risk injury to a kid with the prospect of a senior colts flag on the cards. Probably won't go in favourites but you want to give them every chance.

I actually had a look into this last night, because I find it quite bemusing most years.

Balak have some ripping senior colts players, who really are quite dominant at senior colts level - they always do. I find it quite bemusing that guys like Charlie Arbon who made his A grade debut in 2013 and kicked 4 in an A grade match last season, Jacob Butterfield (times in best - 14; goals - 54 in the colts in 2015), Jake Michael (TIB - 11), Dillion Michael (TIB - 10) etc etc, I could go on.... seemingly being held back to play in the Senior Colts to maximise their chances of winning a senior colt flag, rather than being given game time in the A grade which would undoubtedly benefit and fast track their footy development. These kids have played 4 A grade games between them in 2015 and I just can't understand why, particularly when the A grade has won just 5 matches. Obviously there must be good reason (I'm sure a couple of them may not be physically ready) and the coaches involves have good intentions for these kids, but for me, I'd want to be developing them into A graders as soon as they show a bit. In fact, if each of these lads had played 4-5 A grade matches this season, imagine their confidence levels in a senior colts final. Anyway, just my opinion of course and each club to their own.