Clubs in strife

[Bombers4EVA]

I didnt get to hear the whole topic. But Ditts was discussing about clubs that are struggling atm and mentioned Kilburn. He mentioned and I agree with him. That players should play for free as it is called the "Amatuer" league and that he was disgusted by how much some players were getting paid. Some up to $2000 a game in some country areas. Its because of these type of things that has made a lot of clubs struggle and even fold. And its a shame really to see local clubs fold that have been in the SAAFL for many of years.

[jo172]

I didnt get to hear the whole topic. But Ditts was discussing about clubs that are struggling atm and mentioned Kilburn. He mentioned and I agree with him. That players should play for free as it is called the "Amatuer" league and that he was disgusted by how much some players were getting paid. Some up to $2000 a game in some country areas. Its because of these type of things that has made a lot of clubs struggle and even fold. And its a shame really to see local clubs fold that have been in the SAAFL for many of years.

To be fair, it's not called the "Amateur League" any more.

[Phantom Gossiper]

To be fair, it's not called the "Amateur League" any more.

And with good reason, it's become a semi-professional comp now.

Will never be able to eradicate paying players.

[Bombers4EVA]

Why couldnt you though? Is it that impossible?

[jo172]

To be fair, it's not called the "Amateur League" any more.

And with good reason, it's become a semi-professional comp now.

Will never be able to eradicate paying players.

And if you hypothetically could the standard would turn shit relative to the nearby country leagues pretty quickly

[heater31]

To be fair, it's not called the "Amateur League" any more.

And with good reason, it's become a semi-professional comp now.

Will never be able to eradicate paying players.

Unless the ATO get involved.....

[jo172]

Why couldnt you though? Is it that impossible?

How would you go about stopping it?

[Phantom Gossiper]

Why couldnt you though? Is it that impossible?

Because everything in this day and age happens at break neck speed, peoples lives are so full of work/family etc there is hardly time for sport.

People dont want to - nor can they risk - missing work through injury, and the days of playing for the enjoyment and love of the game are gone, unfortunately that's dropped right down the priority list.

Clubs are very competitive for sponsorship money and having success and being in the highest grades.

Country clubs need to offer money to attract out of town players to fill their sides.

Suddenly a bloke is offered some $$ to play country, which is going to better his financial position, and his home club want him to stay.. what do you think he is going to do? Either take the country $$ or ask the home club to give him something.

[Bombers4EVA]

I agree with what you're all saying. But in a "Real" world. You wouldnt have the issue of local players leaving their local club to play elsewhere for $$$. I just think $$$ is ruining the SAAFL. There should be ( and i know there wont be ) a strategy to keep local players here and not get attracted by $$$ to play elsewhere.

[Dogwatcher]

Something innovative...like a Player Retention Scheme.

[Pag]

I agree with what you're all saying. But in a "Real" world. You wouldnt have the issue of local players leaving their local club to play elsewhere for $$$. I just think $$$ is ruining the SAAFL. There should be ( and i know there wont be ) a strategy to keep local players here and not get attracted by $$$ to play elsewhere.

This will never happen.

You would never get every club in Adelaide to agree to not pay a single player.

There would still be too many tables for money to pass under.

[The Informer]

When you see guys who couldnt get a kick in Div 6R getting over $250 a game to go bush something is very wrong.

[Footy Chick]

Bombers...

How many Clubs besides Ovingham have folded in the last 10 years?

Answer: 1 - Paralowie, who folded due to mismanagement and misappropriation of funds; not sure if player payments had anything to do with either, perhaps The Informer can inform us.

Fact: Players have been paid in the SAAFL since as early as the 70’s

Fact: Players have been paid with envelopes in the change rooms a majority of Div 1 and 2 clubs all through the 80’s.

Fact: The League knew it was happening so bought it out of the shadows so it was transparent

Fact: The salary cap didn’t work as there was no way to police it unless all clubs want to pay an extra $2,000 - $3,000 a year each to employ a couple of salary cap officers, who in turn wont find any breeches as it will go back to being paid in envelopes in the change rooms and not going through the club financials.

There is only one way to stop it – and that requires all clubs to simply say NO – good luck with that as there will always be someone who will break the agreement to get an advantage and then everyone else will start it all over again.

[Dogwatcher]

The fact Div 5,6 and 7 clubs are paying players $250 a game or more is ridiculous.

[jo172]

When you see guys who couldnt get a kick in Div 6R getting over $250 a game to go bush something is very wrong.

Are we talking about Elmo? Because I would love the full story on that

[The Informer]

The fact Div 5,6 and 7 clubs are paying players $250 a game or more is ridiculous.

I totally agree, i could never understand Peake paying Dutchy over $500 a game

[The Informer]

When you see guys who couldnt get a kick in Div 6R getting over $250 a game to go bush something is very wrong.

Are we talking about Elmo? Because I would love the full story on that

Nah i dont know any names, i was just told that there is guys who played Div6R getting that much

[Bombers4EVA]

I know and it sounds like there will always be the same conflict. Who's got the most coin to throw around. Ditts said that he believes that Amatuer clubs in Div 4 - 8 shouldnt pay players. What's your thoughts on that? Also a bloke from Salisbury jumped on the radio to give his thoughts and he said and I quote ( which i find it really hard to believe ). " No one from the Salisbury FC gets paid because they all love and enjoy the culture". What a load of rubbish. You cant tell me that a club in Div 3 doesnt pay players. Crap.

[jo172]

" No one from the Salisbury FC gets paid because they all love and enjoy the culture". What a load of rubbish. You cant tell me that a club in Div 3 doesnt pay players. Crap.

I don't know why but I'm always more inclined to believe it from Salisbury than from Uni.

[Footy Chick]

The fact Div 5,6 and 7 clubs are paying players $250 a game or more is ridiculous.

Better have a chat to your committee then..