Import Rule

[dash61]

Apologies if there's a thread on this somewhere already that I couldn't find (vaguely remember something which mentioned the WA system).

Caught only a few mins of the Cornesy/Rowey show last night, but they had Leigh Wicker on as a guest and while discussing the SANFL, he seemed to intimate that an "Import" rule wouldn't be too far away.

This rule would be something like the NBL has, limiting all clubs to only 2 imports on their list ... With a naturalisation trigger (ie 5 years or 100 games).

The impression I got, was that the SANFL would be pushing pretty hard for this, ie, a matter of when not if .. And given the change in structure to U/18's and the aim of creating elite junior acadamey's I guess this was always part of their plan.

How do people feel about this?

The facts are, if the league brought this in, all current players could be retained then a slow progression may work, salary caps would come down but as a couple of others have mentioned, will it be like the NBL, player x isnt performing so he can be sacked before the clearance date is closed and another player could be brought in. Too hard, can u imagine the richer clubs then can throw massive $$$$$'s at bottom clubs best local 1-4 players on a list and being fair recruiting these players for a massive pay increase could happen, Where does that leave the bottom less financial clubs

Leigh Whicker you have planned this possible change ver poorly, possibly the adoption of the WA points system could be a better hope of succeeding

[Wedgie]

Whilst Im against the changes its a bit much comparing it to a NBL club which has about 13 players in a squad as opposed to a footy club that has 50.
Im sure if it was brought in it would be something like 5 or 6.

[JK]

I should put a reminder in on my initial post that it's only been hinted at, so for my thinking the SANFL are heading down this pathway, but any model they arrive at would surely need majority approval among the clubs?

I guess what Im trying to say is that this rule (nor it's makeup) aren't set in stone yet, but something of interest to look out for in future.

[Aerie]

Is this another way (adding to the salary cap) of trying to keep all clubs financially sustainable and reasonably even on field? With many SANFL clubs making losses last financial year, is it impossible to keep on recruiting heavily to keep up on field with the leaders?

The SANFL at the moment is of a high standard because of the recruits from interstate. The majority of the best players in the comp are recruits. Finances and club survival aside, I'd hate to see a further limit on the talent our competition attracts.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Whilst I was researching something else, I stumbled across an item in the 1983 Football Times Year Book. It states:

The SANFL introduced an import rule limiting the (then) 10 league clubs to a maximum of only 5 VFL players.

The rule came after a meeting with the NFL which formed a sub-committee to investigate the plan on a national level. The new rule applies to players who have competed in the VFL since the 1980 season.

I take it this rule was possibly relaxed or rescinded upon the Crows entering the AFL in 1991. Interesting they only catagorised VFL players and not players from other states.

[Elbows]

You really have to wonder where Leigh Wicker's best interest’s lie... limiting imports to 2 and slashing the salary cap will only create an inferior competition that will inevitably lead to the demise of our wonderful comp.
With 7 of the 9 local clubs posting substantial losses last year, I can understand that the SANFL would be concerned about the financial plight of most clubs...... reduced salary caps may take some of the financial pressure off the clubs through reduced player payments, but surely this will be negated by vastly reduced crowds, reduced memberships and general public interest due to a poorer standard of footy and lack of "name" players participating.....there’s been so much renewed interest in the local league in the last few years, and that is due to a number of ex AFL players either returning to their home clubs or crossing the border to play in what is undoubtedly the second best comp in the land………. we cannot afford to lose the momentum and genuine excitement that has recently been filtering through the SANFL football community here in Adelaide........Instead of meekly surrendering the future of our SANFL to the might of the AFL, Leigh Wicker and the rest of the SANFL hierarchy need to be negotiating a far better deal on behalf of the football loving supporters in this state…….

[topsywaldron]

reduced salary caps may take some of the financial pressure off the clubs

Why don't they just enforce the one they've already got?

Problem solved.

[darley16]

Well said Elbows....even for a Norwood supporter

[nickname]

reduced salary caps may take some of the financial pressure off the clubs

Why don't they just enforce the one they've already got?

Problem solved.

I agree topsy, but didn't a former Board member of your club suggest your club might be embarrassed by that course of action?

[Vic Spy]

The SANFL as we know it is getting killed off

- Higher transfer fees
- U/18 Competition
- Import rule
- Lower Salary Cap
Purely feeder competition here we come.

And when this league becomes nothing more than a feeder comp and my team worries more about how many players get drafted than how many premierships they have won thats when i go and find another sport to follow.

Breaks your heart to even contemplate it coming to that, but I think a few people would feel the same way mate

I hope your SANFL clubs dig their toes in and dont let your league become a 'bloody circus' like the VFL (Or should that be AFL 2's) has become.
F*#k the AFL goons.

[SimonH]

All seems perfectly fair and reasonable... as long as all other clubs nationwide (including AFL clubs*) are also subject to a rule that they can only have 2 players from interstate.

* Yes, this would be the death of the draft. Not to mention hastening the extinction of about 2 Vic-based AFL clubs, consigning Brisbane and Sydney (let alone any new GC and WS teams!) to semi-permanent cellar dweller status, and meaning that the WA and SA AFL teams would be the powerhouses of the comp. Bound to be a hit at AFL House.

[JohnnyG]

i think that the net effect of such a proposal will be (apart from decreasing the strength of the SANFL competition)
that the clubs more able to get around the salary cap, will recruit more players from rival SANFL clubs.