GCA makes point on player caps to avoid repeat of Torquay drama

THE Geelong Cricket Association has released the player-points value of all first XI cricketers in a bid to avoid a repeat of the controversy that overshadowed last season.

Torquay was stripped of 12 premiership points last summer after being found to have breached the player-points cap following a drawn-out saga that involved lawyers.

In the wake of the drama, the association vowed to make its points system easier to understand and spent the offseason making key changes.

The GCA also resolved to make the process more transparent by allowing clubs the ability to review opposition players, scrutinise the values and identify issues.

The values of players from all GCA1, GCA2 and GCA3 clubs are now listed in spreadsheets on the GCA website, complete with the rationale for each player’s score.

Every player in contention for a first XI match is named, with most clubs declaring more than 20 players.

“During the off-season, the GCA board has undertaken the task of completely overhauling the points system, in a bid to make it specifically relevant to our competition, and much easier to understand,” a GCA statement reads.

“Many of the old Melbourne competitions that were at times difficult to rank have been removed and replaced with a simple grading process that filters down from first class cricket to grassroots cricket.”

The player-points caps for this summer are 40 (GCA1), 42 (GCA2) and 45 (GCA3).

The system, in use since 2014-15, is a form of equalisation that encourages club loyalty and junior development.

Each player is given a grading between 10 (a first-class player during previous two seasons) and two (a junior or long-time club player) based on their career CV. The 11 players selected in the first XI each match must fit within the cap.

Players get a reduction in points for each year they serve at a club. For instance, star Geelong City import Richie Oliver, who joined the Sharks as a seven-pointer in 2012, is now a two-point player, having spent seven consecutive seasons at the club.

Glen Talarico, meanwhile, is listed as an eight-point player at Bell Post Hill, having crossed from Grovedale where he was a professional player in the past two seasons.

Clubs were required to have their initial points tables submitted to the GCA by September 10 in order for internal review. The latest figures have since been released for scrutiny.

“The GCA will not be responsible for any errors that clubs make when submitting their points,” the association said.

“If clubs are unsure about a player, please contact the GCA pennant chair in the first instance for assistance.

“The GCA board will acknowledge receipt of each club’s points table and discuss any accuracy issues with the relevant club.

“Every club’s points table will be placed on the GCA website prior to Round 1 for all other clubs to see.

“Clubs are totally (100 per cent) responsible and liable for any errors in their points table and for exceeding the aggregate points cap for their relevant division.

“Should any errors occur that result in a club being found to have played above their points limit, appropriate action will be taken by the GCA board under player points Rules 13 and 20.

“Clubs need to be aware that due to the changes in the points table, some players may have a different points rating to last year, over and above any applicable loyalty reduction.”