New rulings take line on poaching

The South West Football League has taken a tough stance against clubs who look to poach each other’s stars, with player transfers between local franchises set to attract premium value under the new player-points trial system that was last week officially accepted by league delegates.

But while the league moved to deter intra-competition transfers, it has relaxed its position on WAFL footballers travelling down the highway to play in the region.

Voted in last Thursday ahead of the season that kicks off in April, the revamped guidelines mean players whochange their colours within the SWFL would come at an increased cost to their new clubs, accruing four points per game in their first year, up from three last year.

Only AFL players who transfer directly to a SWFL club would have a dearer value, at five points each game in their first season, while WAFL players will be worth three points per South West appearance in 2011, down from four in 2010.

SWFL general manager John Vidos (pictured) said players should repay clubs that spend time, effort and money developing them.

‘‘We are saying to the clubs, ‘If you put the work into your player, and someone comes along and throws a heap of money at him, we are making it difficult for him to transfer,’ ’’ he said.

‘‘But there is an appeals board there, for situations where a player is no longer required by a club, or a player who moves around because of a work situation.

‘‘That’s why the appeals board is there, to cover vagaries that could occur as to why players may need to change clubs.’’

High-profile player transfers between SWFL clubs in recent times include Hayward Medallist Mick Sherry (Bunbury to Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault in 2005), four-time league leading goalkicker Shane Nani (Bunbury to Carey Park in 2005), and former Bulldogs captain Beau Tann (Bunbury to South Bunbury in 2005).

All players, regardless of their footballing history, will accrue a one-point reduction in their value for loyalty each year until they become one-point players, bar WAFL league players whose minimum value can only ever be two.

Clubs who flout the new trial by failing to send in their team sheets or declaring a players’ points status incorrectly face fines of up to $500.

In 2011, no club will be allocated a points quota although the Bunbury Herald understands this is to be included in the 2012 proposal.

WHO'S WORTH WHAT:

1 point: SWFL players; AFL, WAFL or other players returning to their clubs of origin.

2 points: Players from leagues other than the WAFL including Community, WACFL or other; WAFL reserves and colts players; local players who play their junior football with one club, then transfer to another.

3 points: WAFL league players; SWFL reserves and colts players who transfer to another club and play league.

4 points: SWFL league players who transfer between clubs.

5 points: AFL players.