Lara plays for love, not money

LARA players will play for the love of the game if the season goes ahead.

Cats president Shane Bennett revealed the group had indicated it did not want to receive payments this year.

It comes as AFL Barwon region general manager Will McGregor revealed “a percentage of players were willing to play for nothing across the season” following a player survey.

The GFL salary cap has already been reduced from $145,000 to $44,306, based on an 11-round season.

Bennett said the club’s players had made the gesture to ensure its viability for future generations.

“It shows the players are committed to the future of the club financially and exhibits t their desire to do their bit,” Bennett said. “These guys are Lara people and everyone needs to do their bit and they’re doing theirs. They’re playing a game they love and they’re making sure there’s 2021, 2022 and onwards from there.”

Bennett said the players felt a connection to the club and wanted to help it survive, and that sponsors had also rem mained loyal.

“The guys have really stuck t together. The majority of them h have grown up together in the town,” he said.

“Lara is a real community. The leadership group and (coach) Shayne Stone and our coaching staff, it’s such an incredibly strong bond at the club at the moment. Everyone is chipping in to do their bit so in the event that we can play games, that the club isn’t going to be financially ravaged.”

McGregor said player survey results had been encouraging.

“It’s very encouraging to have the players’ view on where we are headed but also their views on what they’re willing to do and the lengths they’re willing to go to to get a season up and running,” he said.