AFL Southern NSW community football and facilities manager Paul Habel announced this week that the salary cap would drop to $95,000 next year, and the player points reduced from 38 to 36.

Two Riverina League clubs are expected to spend over $90,000 on players this year but president Chris Flanigan has backed the change.

"I'm happy with it," Flanigan said.

"You probably can't do (the reductions) too quickly so clubs, from a planning perspective, know what they need to work towards.

"I think if we can give them two years notice in front that is ideal but it's a good thing around equality and also the volunteer space, who are trying to raise money all of the time, it's getting harder and harder.

"As long as we're all on the same page around here, I'm happy to support it. It does good thing with the sustainability."

Farrer League president David Oehm believes on the data presented to the clubs, the move was a no brainer.

"All the statistics and data collected from what the clubs have given make it pretty clear," Oehm said.

"We all agree the points can probably come down to a minimum of 36 and the cap could probably come down to $90,000.

"That's just going on the information the clubs have given."

Oehm believes it may take a couple of years before the salary cap really comes into effect.

"It took a couple of years for the points to show it was working so it might not be until it settles in and beds down that the clubs embrace it," he said.

Flanigan would not want to see the salary cap any lower than $90,000 in the short term future, bearing in mind what is relative to neighbouring leagues.

"You can't go too hard and cruel yourself because other leagues will then pick you off," he said.

"With the O&M at $160,000 down the road, we want to still be able to compete with them. Obviously we'll review it as we go along."

READ MORE