There are currently about 800 players on AFL lists. Every weekend, just over half of these players suit up to play AFL. The other half are either injured, or playing in one of the three "2nd Tier" State League competitions around the country with other left out squad members and top up players in their own "Reserves team".
From what I could find, the total player payments for 2021 in the AFL was about $234 million. Including Rookies, that is an average of about $290k per player. If you were on a main list, the average was $330k, but for these purposes, lets say $290k average per player as there isn't much difference between being a Rookie or last on the main list these days.
The three main State Leagues; SANFL, WAFL and VFL have a combined total player payments of about $6.8m and that includes the payments to top up players playing for the AFL Reserves sides, or affiliates. Lets forget the top up players and just try and get an average wage for the 22 that participate each week in the 22 teams that are independent of the AFL. That is an average wage of about $10k per player per season.
Many players can get more than this playing in the country or ammos for far less effort. There is no doubt that the AFL is the number one money maker and number one league in the country, but could we build up the State League's, initially by way of player payments, in a build it and they will come scenario? I find the State League's to be a great way to introduce children to the game. Being able to run on the oval at breaks, have the luxury of grass mounds and room to play during the games at most grounds. Most of those over 45 in SA and WA also still have strong affiliation with a WAFL or SANFL club, hence the Grand Final crowds well in excess of 20,000 people each year. But, this interest will dwindle if things continue the way they are with all roads leading to the AFL.
There is no money to be made with AFL Reserves sides. They are simply for development purposes. If the rules were the same for everyone, it wouldn't make a difference. Much like the soft cap. Commercially, it doesn't matter.
What if we reduced AFL list sizes to 32, removed Reserves sides and cut off all affiliation. Put rules in place for upgrades from State League clubs to replace long term injured players during the season. Draft, by way of mini-draft if not already affiliated, the small excess of players to play with an independent State League club. This was the way the SANFL and WAFL operated up until 10 years ago.
Southport seem to be going well in the VFL - so add another Brisbane club and two Sydney clubs to the VFL for the Northern states. Add Tasmania and Darwin to the VFL, perhaps as a stepping stone to a future AFL club. This would make 14 VFL clubs, 9 WAFL clubs and 8 SANFL clubs.
If you pooled all the player payments together, that makes about $240 million. Lets say AFL squads are 32 and State League squads are 30.
An AFL team salary cap could be $10 million and each player would have an average wage of $315k.
A State League team salary cap could be $2 million and each player would have an average wage of $68k.
Enough of an incentive to still push to play AFL. Possible to still be a professional footballer and play State League and at the very least, encourage and reward those who play State League financially for their commitment to keep the fitness level required to play AFL.
That's an increase from about 800 players to 1450 players who could make a living from playing football.
Is this a better scenario than an increase in AFL list sizes and most likely, a national Reserves competition? With State Leagues and their clubs most likely to morph into the local Amateur competitions in future years?
From what I could find, the total player payments for 2021 in the AFL was about $234 million. Including Rookies, that is an average of about $290k per player. If you were on a main list, the average was $330k, but for these purposes, lets say $290k average per player as there isn't much difference between being a Rookie or last on the main list these days.
The three main State Leagues; SANFL, WAFL and VFL have a combined total player payments of about $6.8m and that includes the payments to top up players playing for the AFL Reserves sides, or affiliates. Lets forget the top up players and just try and get an average wage for the 22 that participate each week in the 22 teams that are independent of the AFL. That is an average wage of about $10k per player per season.
Many players can get more than this playing in the country or ammos for far less effort. There is no doubt that the AFL is the number one money maker and number one league in the country, but could we build up the State League's, initially by way of player payments, in a build it and they will come scenario? I find the State League's to be a great way to introduce children to the game. Being able to run on the oval at breaks, have the luxury of grass mounds and room to play during the games at most grounds. Most of those over 45 in SA and WA also still have strong affiliation with a WAFL or SANFL club, hence the Grand Final crowds well in excess of 20,000 people each year. But, this interest will dwindle if things continue the way they are with all roads leading to the AFL.
There is no money to be made with AFL Reserves sides. They are simply for development purposes. If the rules were the same for everyone, it wouldn't make a difference. Much like the soft cap. Commercially, it doesn't matter.
What if we reduced AFL list sizes to 32, removed Reserves sides and cut off all affiliation. Put rules in place for upgrades from State League clubs to replace long term injured players during the season. Draft, by way of mini-draft if not already affiliated, the small excess of players to play with an independent State League club. This was the way the SANFL and WAFL operated up until 10 years ago.
Southport seem to be going well in the VFL - so add another Brisbane club and two Sydney clubs to the VFL for the Northern states. Add Tasmania and Darwin to the VFL, perhaps as a stepping stone to a future AFL club. This would make 14 VFL clubs, 9 WAFL clubs and 8 SANFL clubs.
If you pooled all the player payments together, that makes about $240 million. Lets say AFL squads are 32 and State League squads are 30.
An AFL team salary cap could be $10 million and each player would have an average wage of $315k.
A State League team salary cap could be $2 million and each player would have an average wage of $68k.
Enough of an incentive to still push to play AFL. Possible to still be a professional footballer and play State League and at the very least, encourage and reward those who play State League financially for their commitment to keep the fitness level required to play AFL.
That's an increase from about 800 players to 1450 players who could make a living from playing football.
Is this a better scenario than an increase in AFL list sizes and most likely, a national Reserves competition? With State Leagues and their clubs most likely to morph into the local Amateur competitions in future years?
