Zero dollar salary cap bid backed
TWO TSL coaches believe the state league should consider following South Australia’s lead by introducing a “zero dollar” salary cap to get the league up and running this season.
The SANFL has announced that with no crowds predicted for this year, all players must play for free or there will be no matches this season. SANFL chief executive Jake Parkinson said the competition would go from a 2019 salary cap of $400,000 to $0 this year.
“Quite simply, if it requires players being paid to go out on the ground we couldn’t have a season,” Parkinson said.
“Clubs are just not in a position to be able to make payments to players right across all of our eight clubs [not including Adelaide or Port Adelaide’s SANFL clubs].
“From the very beginning [of the coronavirus pandemic] we’ve said we are looking to come through this with the SANFL and the SANFL clubs being able to compete for another 143 years.
“That’s been the priority and the players said ‘We want a season, and if that means we go back on the ground and we don’t receive a payment then that’s what we’ll do’. The vast majority of players have been in that position.”
It is understood that a handful of the top-paid players, who earn as much as $40,000 a season, are reluctant to play for nothing.
The TSL has a salary cap of $95,000. Clarence playing coach Jeromey Webberley said if crowds were unable to attend TSL games and the AFL reduced or cut its grants to state league clubs, it was likely the same situation would follow in Tasmania.
“I think they will have to,” Webberley said.
“We don’t really know what’s going on, but I don’t think our players would have an issue about playing for nothing. They just want to get out there and play.
“There might be a small percentage reluctant to get out there, but I reckon 99 per cent would jump at the opportunity to play a game of footy.”
Tigers coach Trent Baumeler said it would all depend on if crowds were allowed and how many would be let through the gate, but that if it was accepted across all competitions, the plan could work.
He also said it should not be held against any player who decided not to play given the current unique circumstances, where some players may now be forced to work weekends to make up for lost income from football or other employment.
“The guys are just itching to get back, but it is up to the individual as well what they want to do,” Baumeler said.
“I wouldn’t begrudge anyone if they have lost income and have to work on a Saturday.”
The TSL will meet club presidents this week, when they hope to map out a return to play this season.