Swans to defend salary cap concessions ----again

[SWANSBEST]

The following is written confirmation of a report that I heard earlier on ABC radio.




Too late for salary cap changes... Andrew Demetriou (Getty Images)

AFL unmoved on salary cap

The AFL says it will not change the salary cap concessions for Brisbane and Sydney before 2006.

The issue was raised at a meeting between the AFL and the 16 club presidents on Tuesday, with several clubs calling for Brisbane to be stripped of its allowance to retain players.

Chief executive Andrew Demetriou says the concessions will be reviewed this year, but cannot be changed before the current three-year plan expires.

"There are issues about that we believe we should look at now so that we can give all clubs in fairness, including the Brisbane Lions, a response in 2004, not 2006, because they've got a contract," he said.

Without giving any dollar amount away, Mr Demetriou says the AFL will also invest more strongly in non-traditional markets.

He also gave his absolute commitment to a 16-team competition while at the helm, and promised further development at grass root levels.

"We want to take the lead and get football back into schools," he said.

"We want to be partners and tackle the issues of obesity in our youth."

http://www.abc.net.au/afl/

[CureTheSane]

I like Andy.

I think Eddie is going to find that he donsn't carry the weight he used to (pun intended)

[Ajn]

Do you understand what purchasing power parity means?

A cost of living addition be enough for us to be on equal footing.

I understand how the dollar works and how it can be hard to keep rising stars, but it is the same for all clubs.

NSW has had some problems in attracting players, but that is nowhere as bad as it was in years gone by. The problem with Grant and Rocca, etc was that they never wanted to leave Vic. With less spots available you see young draftees now stating that they are prepared to move in order to play. If they go like Des Headland you get the best you can rather than do a Port and get zip.

Players can earn more money by staying with a club and becoming vets after 10 years.

We have some of the best facilities and conditions of all clubs and will be a powerhouse for years to come.

The future will lead us to play more at Stadium Aust, and players can move out to the burbs where cost of living is not a factor. They can play the low drawing crowds at the SCG and rake in the dough that Collingwood, etc does from large crowds. About 5-10 years I would suggest.

[Bart]

Originally posted by Ajn
The future will lead us to play more at Stadium Aust, and players can move out to the burbs where cost of living is not a factor.

Off you go to Campbelltown and Penrith Swannies. Y'all remember to come back and visit

[SWANSBEST]

It is good to see that some AFL clubs think beyond their own self interests and consider the benefits of developing the game . The AFL decision is sensible. and timely.





Crows weigh in

Meanwhile Adelaide Crows chairman Bill Sanders said his club supported salary cap concessions to Brisbane and Sydney and would not join the Melbourne-based outcry against the principle.

Sanders said Sydney's high cost of living had to be taken into account when calculating player salaries.

And he said Queensland needed concessions as the state's AFL structure was still in the development phase - despite the Lions winning the last three grand finals.

"In Brisbane's case, I believe they do need assistance," he said.

"Now they've had the success of three in a row most clubs would feel they've probably had enough of a bunk-up now and that assistance should be withdrawn.

"But it needs to be phased out over a period of time because of the contracts that're in place."

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/s1048010.htm

[Captain]

Originally posted by Bart
Off you go to Campbelltown and Penrith Swannies. Y'all remember to come back and visit

Exactly!

Locating players far out west is sure to make the Swans more attractive. I can see rookie after rookie lining up to live in Penrith.

Hey while we are at it, why not relocate them to Dubbo and fly them in for home games.

[liz]

Originally posted by Ajn


NSW has had some problems in attracting players, but that is nowhere as bad as it was in years gone by. The problem with Grant and Rocca, etc was that they never wanted to leave Vic.

And what's to say that won't be the same with young players of the future?

Originally posted by Ajn


With less spots available you see young draftees now stating that they are prepared to move in order to play.

The top rated youngsters can afford to be choosier though, because they know there will always be clubs chasing them. Gaspar, Rocca and Grant were all top 3 draft picks - decreasing list sizes has very little impact on these types of player. And these are exactly the type that Sydney needs a reasonable chance of hanging onto if they are to be as competitive as other teams in the comp.

[Reggi]

Originally posted by Ajn


The future will lead us to play more at Stadium Aust, and players can move out to the burbs where cost of living is not a factor. They can play the low drawing crowds at the SCG and rake in the dough that Collingwood, etc does from large crowds. About 5-10 years I would suggest.

I don't intend to sound offensive, I am a trained and professional economist, and I cannot begin to tell you what an utterley and patently riducluous statement this is.

To put it very very simply if a person can purchase more (and real estate is actually only a small part of the problem - everything from food to services to school fees will be more expensive in Sydney), ie a ? buys more in Melbourne than Sydney then they will naturally move as their 'real' as distinct from nominal income will be higher.

In economics terms your statement is equal to 'the earth is flat' or denial of gravity - in fact it is the one undebated area of economics.

Put simply 'rational' footballers with an income that can buy themselves a house in Narellan in Sydney or Canterbury in Melbourne, are always going to shift where their ? buys more.

In short in the salaries market Syddney would be pretty much uncompetitive (in fact the last time I checked a $1 in Melbourne was worth just 0.83 in Sydney)