AFL Riverina is on the defensive over the player points system after footballers at six clubs across the Riverina and Farrer Leagues were discovered to be playing with an incorrect points allocation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Three clubs in each league are affected after the governing body reviewed playing lists.
It's understood some teams have won games in which they would've been above the limit if the points had been correctly allocated at the time.
But there is no prospect that the corrections could be applied retrospectively.
"That's what they had been allocated at the time. Obviously a review has made a correction (now) but it doesn't change the results of the games," AFL Riverina president Michael Irons said.
Irons said the errors related to players who fitted more than one category under the policy which attributes a points value to players depending on their history.
"As part of AFL Riverina's ongoing monitoring of competitive balance measures, we have reviewed all player lists and we determined that some players had not been allocated the correct individual points allocation.
"Some players (in both leagues) qualified under two categories as part of their assessment. Those players should be defined in the highest category as per section 6.2 of the player points policy.
"AFL Riverina has contacted the respective clubs whose players have now been re-assessed and allocated the correct points."
The mid-season correction could affect some clubs' team selections from now on if they're close to the limit with a playing roster assembled using the earlier approved points allocation.
The player points system is an equalisation tool designed (in conjunction with the salary cap) to even out the competition, promote loyalty, and limit recruiting. But it is a somewhat divisive measure among clubs.
AFL Riverina defended the processes because mistakes have been corrected rather than teams continuing to play with incorrect points.
"We retain confidence in the Player Points System as an effective competitive balance tool and will continue to review the player assessments and the categories for assessment," Irons said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters