Sam Landsberger
Herald Sun
Subscriber only
June 1, 2020 7:58pm
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The AFL will save up to $2 million in match payments and player bonuses by denying coaches access to extra players on the interchange bench this season.
The financial component was one of football boss Steve Hocking’s considerations as the league prepares to formally lock in four bench players later this week.
Some coaches have been pushing for access to five or six bench players in 2020 to provide competitive minutes to more players, given they cannot participate in state leagues.
But with 16-minute quarters, 90 rotations and weekly games the AFL believes there is no need to increase bench sizes.
The league has vowed to remain flexible this year, however the idea of altering the playing conditions after Round 1 also counted against the change.
Coaches would’ve predominantly used emerging talents as their 23rd or 24th players, much like when they used the old substitute rule to blood debutants in 2011-2015.
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Richmond stars Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin on the bench, which will remain at four players in 2020. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, first-year, second-year and rookie-listed players receive match payments of $4000-5000.
They also receive bonuses, ranging from $3000-12,000, depending on how many games they play for the season.
While all of those payments will be slashed by 50 per cent due to this year’s pay cuts, the extra payments for an interchange of six still would’ve still add up to a seven-figure sum.
Similarly, players fined by the match review officer this year will have their penalties cut in half.
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The AFL has taken on the expense of player payments during the COVID-19 period, although club distributions usually cover the $13 million salary cap anyway.
Increasing the interchange from four to six players would’ve seen an extra 36 players take to the field every weekend.
If they all received a match payment of $2500, that would equate to $90,000 per round, and $1.53 million for the remainder of the season.
Bonuses hit by more players would further top up that figure.
But the AFL is desperate to shed expenses and more than $50 million is set to be saved by shrinking this year’s soft cap.
MORE AFL:
SuperCoach rookie bible: Every cheapie rated
‘It’s good to be back’: Homesick Bomber returns
Pay battle looms: Players demand AFL opens books
The NRL has guaranteed its $10 million salary cap won’t be reduced next season and the AFLPA is fighting hard, albeit against all odds, to win that same assurance.
While the season will restart in the traditional Thursday-Sunday format, some short breaks have been included.
Western Bulldogs must play three games in 12 days, which includes a trip to Sydney, from Rounds 2-4.
Extra players on the bench will mean extra match payments. Picture: AAP
But an increased interchange was not even discussed at last week’s AFL Competition Committee meeting.
However coaches are set for a win this week with the AFL set to inform clubs they have permission to stage mini scratch matches against each other.
They will be used to help gauge form and keep players outside of the best 22 stimulated.
The Dogs and Carlton discussed staging 14-a-side scratch match before their scheduled Round 2 clash in April. But the season was shut down after Round 1 with that fixture torn up.
Herald Sun
Subscriber only
June 1, 2020 7:58pm
subscriber-breach-pixel
The AFL will save up to $2 million in match payments and player bonuses by denying coaches access to extra players on the interchange bench this season.
The financial component was one of football boss Steve Hocking’s considerations as the league prepares to formally lock in four bench players later this week.
Some coaches have been pushing for access to five or six bench players in 2020 to provide competitive minutes to more players, given they cannot participate in state leagues.
But with 16-minute quarters, 90 rotations and weekly games the AFL believes there is no need to increase bench sizes.
The league has vowed to remain flexible this year, however the idea of altering the playing conditions after Round 1 also counted against the change.
Coaches would’ve predominantly used emerging talents as their 23rd or 24th players, much like when they used the old substitute rule to blood debutants in 2011-2015.
Relive classic AFL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Richmond stars Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin on the bench, which will remain at four players in 2020. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, first-year, second-year and rookie-listed players receive match payments of $4000-5000.
They also receive bonuses, ranging from $3000-12,000, depending on how many games they play for the season.
While all of those payments will be slashed by 50 per cent due to this year’s pay cuts, the extra payments for an interchange of six still would’ve still add up to a seven-figure sum.
Similarly, players fined by the match review officer this year will have their penalties cut in half.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE SACKED PODCAST HERE
The AFL has taken on the expense of player payments during the COVID-19 period, although club distributions usually cover the $13 million salary cap anyway.
Increasing the interchange from four to six players would’ve seen an extra 36 players take to the field every weekend.
If they all received a match payment of $2500, that would equate to $90,000 per round, and $1.53 million for the remainder of the season.
Bonuses hit by more players would further top up that figure.
But the AFL is desperate to shed expenses and more than $50 million is set to be saved by shrinking this year’s soft cap.
MORE AFL:
SuperCoach rookie bible: Every cheapie rated
‘It’s good to be back’: Homesick Bomber returns
Pay battle looms: Players demand AFL opens books
The NRL has guaranteed its $10 million salary cap won’t be reduced next season and the AFLPA is fighting hard, albeit against all odds, to win that same assurance.
While the season will restart in the traditional Thursday-Sunday format, some short breaks have been included.
Western Bulldogs must play three games in 12 days, which includes a trip to Sydney, from Rounds 2-4.
Extra players on the bench will mean extra match payments. Picture: AAP
But an increased interchange was not even discussed at last week’s AFL Competition Committee meeting.
However coaches are set for a win this week with the AFL set to inform clubs they have permission to stage mini scratch matches against each other.
They will be used to help gauge form and keep players outside of the best 22 stimulated.
The Dogs and Carlton discussed staging 14-a-side scratch match before their scheduled Round 2 clash in April. But the season was shut down after Round 1 with that fixture torn up.
