Four Horsham District league clubs have been given additional player points for the 2020 season.
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AFL Wimmera Mallee has released its player points allocations for the football season, which includes two-point increases for Jeparit-Rainbow, Laharum, Rupanyup and Pimpinio.
Reigning premiers Harrow-Balmoral is the only Horsham District league club to have its allocation cut, falling from 36 to 35 points.
Only two Wimmera league clubs have had points adjustments.
Horsham's first non-finals finish since 2001 has seen them gain two player points, rising to 36. Minyip-Murtoa lost two points after their flag win, dropping from 42 to 40.
Clubs are allocated a number of points they can use to "spend" on players, with total allocations influenced by location, demographics and success, or lack thereof.
"It's an equalisation policy. It intends to try and even the playing field, as well as the salary cap too," AFL Wimmera Mallee region general manager Bruce Petering said.
Salary caps will remain unchanged across the two leagues, with Nhill - $150,000 - offered the biggest leeway in the Wimmera league and Jeparit-Rainbow - $130,000 - in the Horsham District league.
If every club in the region spent its full salary allocation next season, it would come to a total just under $2.5 million.
"Clubs are managing their points reasonably well. There are very few clubs that are on the upper limit," Mr Petering said. "It (system) seems to be working to a degree. We're never going to be able to manipulate the system for want of a better word to make every team equal. It's just not going to happen."
AFL Victoria introduced the system in 2016 in an effort to level competitions and promote player loyalty.
Player points are weighted on a number of factors, including experience and junior development.
Anyone who has played more than 40 junior games for a club, is regarded as a 'home player', and will be a one-point player for life.
"Clubs have really focused on retaining and bringing junior players back," Mr Petering said. "You look at Nhill this year, and their focus is on bringing back ex-players. They come in as one-point, so that really helps their ability to recruit non-homegrown players."
Every club's allocation, salary cap
WIMMERA LEAGUE
ARARAT
2020 Points: 39 (same)
Salary Cap: $120,000
DIMBOOLA
Points: 44 (same)
Salary Cap: $140,000
HORSHAM
Points: 36 (+2)
Salary Cap: $120,000
HORSHAM SAINTS
Points: 35
Salary Cap: $120,000
MINYIP-MURTOA
Points: 40 (-2)
Salary Cap: $140,000
NHILL
Points: 44 (same)
Salary Cap: $150,000
SM GIANTS
Points: 38 (same)
Salary Cap: $130,000
STAWELL
Points: 40 (same)
Salary Cap: $120,000
WARRACK EAGLES
Points: 42 (same)
Salary Cap: $140,000
HDFNL
EDENHOPE-APSLEY
Points: 40 (same)
Salary Cap: $110,000
HARROW-BALMORAL
Points: 35 (-1)
Salary Cap: $100,000
JEPARIT-RAINBOW
Points: 42 (+2)
Salary Cap: $130,000
KALKEE
Points: 40 (same)
Salary Cap: $110,000
LAHARUM
Points: 42 (+2)
Salary Cap: $110,000
NORADJUHA-QUANTONG
Points: 40 (same)
Salary Cap: $110,000
NATIMUK UNITED
Points: 40 (same)
Salary Cap: $110,000
PIMPINIO
Points: 44 (+2)
Salary Cap: $110,000
RUPANYUP
Points: 44 (+2)
Salary Cap: $120,000
SWIFTS
Points: 38 (same)
Salary Cap: $100,000
TAYLORS LAKE
Points: 45 (same)
Salary Cap: $110,000