Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now, after a comprehensive review and extensive consultation with Premier
League clubs, aflnts endorsed a number of by law changes
ahead of the upcoming season. Now. AFLNT say the adjustments
aim to improve competitive balance across the NTFL and to
simplify administrative processes and ensure greater financial accountability across the competition.
(00:23):
The newly introduced tiered model is now going to apply
across both the men's and women's Premier League competitions, giving
developing clubs greater capacity, they say, to build stronger lists
while maintaining the ability for all clubs to drive high
quality programs. Now joining us on the line is Lee Elder,
AFLNT Community Football Manager. Good morning, Lee, Good morning, how
(00:48):
are you yeah? Really good? Good to have you on
the show now, Lee. Seven by law changes set to
come in to play for the upcoming season. Why these
changes need it?
Speaker 2 (00:59):
It's been a long time process. Obviously, we've developed a
lot since COVID. There's been over fifty percent growth in
the participation with that becomes a bit of a challenge
with growing pains. But we had some systems pre COVID
that were setting competitive balance and Obviously, the world changes,
the top ends change changed, and trying to get the
(01:22):
right balance to ensure that all clubs can see their
next success was the reason for this. We did a
major review back in twenty twenty one, and part of
that was to try and get the competitive balance right.
So we've been working with the clubs for about two
and a half years to try and get the systems right.
I'm not saying this is perfect. It will obviously take
(01:44):
some time to make it all work in place, but
ensuring that the top clubs can keep striving and the
bottom clubs have got the opportunity to catch up was
the key thing from these outcomes.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So let's walk through some of these changes. The first
off around fly and players. So previous restrictions on those
fly and players have been removed following some strong feedback
from the clubs. Tell me what this change is going
to mean in a practical sense for those clubs.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, So, obviously this has been a bit of a
challenge for clubs to manage, so it wasn't simple to follow,
it wasn't simple to administer, and therefore created work and
stress for volunteers. So if we're going to replace this model,
we needed to ensure that there's something that comes in
that gets the competitive balance, and that's why we've got
(02:35):
the TID system coming in at the same time. So
unfortunately the idea of the flying model had some good
merit on competitive balance. The reality is increase the workload
for the volunteers and create a lot of stress. So
we're glad we found a good solution to ensure that
that sort of replaced all that systems replaced well with
(02:58):
another competitive balance measure using the points as the key tool. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Right, So people clubs can still fly players in, is
that correct, but they're not sort of going to be
restricted in the number that they're flying in or how often.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Well, the points ensure that the restrictions are theirs. So
that creates the model that you get your greater opportunity.
But I think it's pretty strong from the coaches and
the clubs that the flyings are a short term gap
and getting people to relocate is a better model. So
that's what they're looking to do. They've seen probably back
(03:36):
in the early days fifteen twenty years ago. They saw
it as a quick, fixed solution, but the reality is
it's not great return for the clubs. On their investment.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Well, and presumably if you're a club that's got a
bit more money, you've got a bit more ability to
fly people in. Would that be correct?
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Yeah, that's correct, and that's why we have the TID system.
So those clubs that are well structured in that case
have got limited points, so they've got less flexibility to
do that. Where the clubs at the lower end, and
this is all based around a three year performance, they've
got the ability to bring more players in.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
So in terms of now the relocation concession, So the
previous player points concessions for players relocating to the Northern
Territory are no longer going to apply as supporting a
simpler and more transparent points system. So what does that
mean in terms of the relocation concessions for the various clubs?
Speaker 2 (04:34):
In simple terminologies, an average punt of that loves the
NTFL can look at a player's profile but not match
to what their value is in the points system, if
that makes sense, Because we had all these little discounts
here and there, so now it's fully transparent. The total
points is the key thing to get the competitive balance.
(04:55):
Some clubs could use these reductions better than others, so
it was a better system to have no reductions whatsoever.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
So in terms of the total player points allocation, sort
of talk us through the way in which the formula
is changing and is now going to apply to the
women's Premier League as well.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yes, the uniform approach, so we're really glad that this
has been able to happen. So we've got both men's
and women's working under the same program. The clubs don't
fit under the same model is basically how each team
has performed over the previous years. So there's a top four,
there's a five to seven, and there's an eight to
(05:36):
last model, so they're the three tiers. Obviously, the top
tier has less points, the middle tier has ten points more,
and the lower tier has four points more than the
middle tier. So everyone has that ability to top up
and recruit their list if they've been struggling over the
last couple of years. So the AFL has a draft system,
(05:58):
we've got the points system works it the same way.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
Now. Then in terms of the financial compliance, have we
had some clubs which were not compliant or why the
need for change there?
Speaker 2 (06:09):
So a couple of things that we looked at in
twenty twenty one was to actually try and improve the
compliance and the governance of the whole competition, which is
this is trying to build models, so we're protecting clubs
from themselves and ensuring that everyone's living within their means,
so managing that every club can see not only its
(06:29):
next success, but also to ensure that it's got long
term futures. So they're the type of good governance models
we want to ensure we get into place.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Now, when you talk about that player eligibility, then when
it comes to the finals matches, what are the changes
that are going to come into place in this area.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
So it's only in the Premier League model this has changed,
and this is to manage a little bit of managing
the amount of f lines that can come in which
you need to actually play six games other than five
to qualify for finals in the Premier League model. So
it's basically China service that we're looking after locals first
and then top up players from in the state second.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Yeah, it does seem as though the AFL would rather,
you know, rather people sort of relocating here and playing
for the whole season rather than just flying in and
out for a few matches.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Yeah. Absolutely, it's best for the clubs. It's best for
the competition and it means the high quality you bring in.
That's why those AFL players are the lowest points that
you can get. We want quality to come into the
competition and quality to actually help our young talented juniors
actually develop well.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
And also, I mean, we've got that many people playing
in playing footy in the Northern Territory at the moment,
but even when you look at those Premier League clubs
and if every club's got a few people relocating to
the Northern Territory, it's actually good population wise as well
to have them here for the whole season rather than
just sort of flying in and out for a little while.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Absolutely, we've gone from three and a half thousand participants
five years ago to over five thousand participants now and
we do have about six hundred that are involved in
winter competition. Some of those are actually nt people that
go and play in the winter competitions, but there are
a lot that like to experience the top end. So
(08:21):
we want to create a model where they're actually living,
working and giving back to the community and hopefully get
a queue to stay for longer term.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Yeah. Hey, in terms of the local transfers. That's one
of the other changes. So the NCFL local transfer rule
has been updated as well. How has this been changed.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
So this was trialed in the women's last year. So
effectively it protects the lower club so a stronger club
can't just go and recruit four players from a lower
club's premier league model and just play them straight in
the premier league. So there's a max of one four
point player for the top level clubs, and there's a
(09:01):
support mechanism for the bottom clubs as well, so every
club can have a max of three So a lower
club taking from another lower club that can be a
max of three players. So it just protects the clubs
that are developing and are coming from the bottom.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
I'm assuming that's given the fact that there's been plenty
of consultation happening. This change isn't just something that's happened
to overnight, as you said, It's been a couple of
years in the making. By the sounds of it. Have
clubs been notified now all these changes and what's been
the feedback so far?
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, So it's been a long process. As I say,
a couple of these items have been on the table
for two or three years, but we started working with
the Premier League coaches in January this year to look
what was going to be in place for the following season.
Of course, every club views it differently and obviously they're
all in different positions, right, So the feedback has been robust,
(09:58):
which has been magnific, but the majority of the items
got overwhelming support by the clubs. Of course, everyone would
like a few little variations to suit their model, we
understand that, but the overwhelming support was great. We took
on the feedback. There were some slight changes from our
first submission, but that's what feedback, an opportunity to consultate,
(10:22):
sort of create. So we're really happy with the outcomes
like that. There'll be a bit of fine tuning over
the next couple of years, but we think we've really
got a good platform. We've done a fair bit of
player movement restructuring over the last three or four seasons
and we're starting to see some returns. We just want
to start seeing some competitive balance responses and this will
(10:43):
take time. Right, we don't fix some of the clubs
that need a bit of development immediately. It'll be two,
three four years before we get the full results.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
And in terms of these changes and whether they do
sort of work well or not. I know you said
it's going to take sort of a few seasons to
be able to work it out. But are they set
in stone or is there a bit you know, is
there going to be a review after twelve months or
at the end of each season?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
A constant review. We're always at that space because you
learn from experiences, you get feedback from clubs, you get
a bit more of an understanding of how some things
are working and impacting clubs. So we're constantly reviewing, We're
constantly listening, and we're constantly trying to find the right balance.
Our challenge is to try and support all twelve of
(11:30):
our clubs. It's hard to get that balance right. If
I ever make every club happy, I'm maybe lying to.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Them, I reckon, so it'd be hard to keep everybody happy.
Lee Elder, afl NTS Community Football Manager. Good to catch
up with you this morning. I appreciate you walking us
through all of these changes, and no doubt we'll talk
again soon.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Pleasure.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Thank you,
Now, after a comprehensive review and extensive consultation with Premier
League clubs, aflnts endorsed a number of by law changes
ahead of the upcoming season. Now. AFLNT say the adjustments
aim to improve competitive balance across the NTFL and to
simplify administrative processes and ensure greater financial accountability across the competition.
(00:23):
The newly introduced tiered model is now going to apply
across both the men's and women's Premier League competitions, giving
developing clubs greater capacity, they say, to build stronger lists
while maintaining the ability for all clubs to drive high
quality programs. Now joining us on the line is Lee Elder,
AFLNT Community Football Manager. Good morning, Lee, Good morning, how
(00:48):
are you yeah? Really good? Good to have you on
the show now, Lee. Seven by law changes set to
come in to play for the upcoming season. Why these
changes need it?
Speaker 2 (00:59):
It's been a long time process. Obviously, we've developed a
lot since COVID. There's been over fifty percent growth in
the participation with that becomes a bit of a challenge
with growing pains. But we had some systems pre COVID
that were setting competitive balance and Obviously, the world changes,
the top ends change changed, and trying to get the
(01:22):
right balance to ensure that all clubs can see their
next success was the reason for this. We did a
major review back in twenty twenty one, and part of
that was to try and get the competitive balance right.
So we've been working with the clubs for about two
and a half years to try and get the systems right.
I'm not saying this is perfect. It will obviously take
(01:44):
some time to make it all work in place, but
ensuring that the top clubs can keep striving and the
bottom clubs have got the opportunity to catch up was
the key thing from these outcomes.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
So let's walk through some of these changes. The first
off around fly and players. So previous restrictions on those
fly and players have been removed following some strong feedback
from the clubs. Tell me what this change is going
to mean in a practical sense for those clubs.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, So, obviously this has been a bit of a
challenge for clubs to manage, so it wasn't simple to follow,
it wasn't simple to administer, and therefore created work and
stress for volunteers. So if we're going to replace this model,
we needed to ensure that there's something that comes in
that gets the competitive balance, and that's why we've got
(02:35):
the TID system coming in at the same time. So
unfortunately the idea of the flying model had some good
merit on competitive balance. The reality is increase the workload
for the volunteers and create a lot of stress. So
we're glad we found a good solution to ensure that
that sort of replaced all that systems replaced well with
(02:58):
another competitive balance measure using the points as the key tool. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Right, So people clubs can still fly players in, is
that correct, but they're not sort of going to be
restricted in the number that they're flying in or how often.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Well, the points ensure that the restrictions are theirs. So
that creates the model that you get your greater opportunity.
But I think it's pretty strong from the coaches and
the clubs that the flyings are a short term gap
and getting people to relocate is a better model. So
that's what they're looking to do. They've seen probably back
(03:36):
in the early days fifteen twenty years ago. They saw
it as a quick, fixed solution, but the reality is
it's not great return for the clubs. On their investment.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Well, and presumably if you're a club that's got a
bit more money, you've got a bit more ability to
fly people in. Would that be correct?
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Yeah, that's correct, and that's why we have the TID system.
So those clubs that are well structured in that case
have got limited points, so they've got less flexibility to
do that. Where the clubs at the lower end, and
this is all based around a three year performance, they've
got the ability to bring more players in.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
So in terms of now the relocation concession, So the
previous player points concessions for players relocating to the Northern
Territory are no longer going to apply as supporting a
simpler and more transparent points system. So what does that
mean in terms of the relocation concessions for the various clubs?
Speaker 2 (04:34):
In simple terminologies, an average punt of that loves the
NTFL can look at a player's profile but not match
to what their value is in the points system, if
that makes sense, Because we had all these little discounts
here and there, so now it's fully transparent. The total
points is the key thing to get the competitive balance.
(04:55):
Some clubs could use these reductions better than others, so
it was a better system to have no reductions whatsoever.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
So in terms of the total player points allocation, sort
of talk us through the way in which the formula
is changing and is now going to apply to the
women's Premier League as well.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yes, the uniform approach, so we're really glad that this
has been able to happen. So we've got both men's
and women's working under the same program. The clubs don't
fit under the same model is basically how each team
has performed over the previous years. So there's a top four,
there's a five to seven, and there's an eight to
(05:36):
last model, so they're the three tiers. Obviously, the top
tier has less points, the middle tier has ten points more,
and the lower tier has four points more than the
middle tier. So everyone has that ability to top up
and recruit their list if they've been struggling over the
last couple of years. So the AFL has a draft system,
(05:58):
we've got the points system works it the same way.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
Now. Then in terms of the financial compliance, have we
had some clubs which were not compliant or why the
need for change there?
Speaker 2 (06:09):
So a couple of things that we looked at in
twenty twenty one was to actually try and improve the
compliance and the governance of the whole competition, which is
this is trying to build models, so we're protecting clubs
from themselves and ensuring that everyone's living within their means,
so managing that every club can see not only its
(06:29):
next success, but also to ensure that it's got long
term futures. So they're the type of good governance models
we want to ensure we get into place.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Now, when you talk about that player eligibility, then when
it comes to the finals matches, what are the changes
that are going to come into place in this area.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
So it's only in the Premier League model this has changed,
and this is to manage a little bit of managing
the amount of f lines that can come in which
you need to actually play six games other than five
to qualify for finals in the Premier League model. So
it's basically China service that we're looking after locals first
and then top up players from in the state second.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
Yeah, it does seem as though the AFL would rather,
you know, rather people sort of relocating here and playing
for the whole season rather than just flying in and
out for a few matches.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Yeah. Absolutely, it's best for the clubs. It's best for
the competition and it means the high quality you bring in.
That's why those AFL players are the lowest points that
you can get. We want quality to come into the
competition and quality to actually help our young talented juniors
actually develop well.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
And also, I mean, we've got that many people playing
in playing footy in the Northern Territory at the moment,
but even when you look at those Premier League clubs
and if every club's got a few people relocating to
the Northern Territory, it's actually good population wise as well
to have them here for the whole season rather than
just sort of flying in and out for a little while.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Absolutely, we've gone from three and a half thousand participants
five years ago to over five thousand participants now and
we do have about six hundred that are involved in
winter competition. Some of those are actually nt people that
go and play in the winter competitions, but there are
a lot that like to experience the top end. So
(08:21):
we want to create a model where they're actually living,
working and giving back to the community and hopefully get
a queue to stay for longer term.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Yeah. Hey, in terms of the local transfers. That's one
of the other changes. So the NCFL local transfer rule
has been updated as well. How has this been changed.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
So this was trialed in the women's last year. So
effectively it protects the lower club so a stronger club
can't just go and recruit four players from a lower
club's premier league model and just play them straight in
the premier league. So there's a max of one four
point player for the top level clubs, and there's a
(09:01):
support mechanism for the bottom clubs as well, so every
club can have a max of three So a lower
club taking from another lower club that can be a
max of three players. So it just protects the clubs
that are developing and are coming from the bottom.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
I'm assuming that's given the fact that there's been plenty
of consultation happening. This change isn't just something that's happened
to overnight, as you said, It's been a couple of
years in the making. By the sounds of it. Have
clubs been notified now all these changes and what's been
the feedback so far?
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, So it's been a long process. As I say,
a couple of these items have been on the table
for two or three years, but we started working with
the Premier League coaches in January this year to look
what was going to be in place for the following season.
Of course, every club views it differently and obviously they're
all in different positions, right, So the feedback has been robust,
(09:58):
which has been magnific, but the majority of the items
got overwhelming support by the clubs. Of course, everyone would
like a few little variations to suit their model, we
understand that, but the overwhelming support was great. We took
on the feedback. There were some slight changes from our
first submission, but that's what feedback, an opportunity to consultate,
(10:22):
sort of create. So we're really happy with the outcomes
like that. There'll be a bit of fine tuning over
the next couple of years, but we think we've really
got a good platform. We've done a fair bit of
player movement restructuring over the last three or four seasons
and we're starting to see some returns. We just want
to start seeing some competitive balance responses and this will
(10:43):
take time. Right, we don't fix some of the clubs
that need a bit of development immediately. It'll be two,
three four years before we get the full results.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
And in terms of these changes and whether they do
sort of work well or not. I know you said
it's going to take sort of a few seasons to
be able to work it out. But are they set
in stone or is there a bit you know, is
there going to be a review after twelve months or
at the end of each season?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
A constant review. We're always at that space because you
learn from experiences, you get feedback from clubs, you get
a bit more of an understanding of how some things
are working and impacting clubs. So we're constantly reviewing, We're
constantly listening, and we're constantly trying to find the right balance.
Our challenge is to try and support all twelve of
(11:30):
our clubs. It's hard to get that balance right. If
I ever make every club happy, I'm maybe lying to.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Them, I reckon, so it'd be hard to keep everybody happy.
Lee Elder, afl NTS Community Football Manager. Good to catch
up with you this morning. I appreciate you walking us
through all of these changes, and no doubt we'll talk
again soon.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Pleasure.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Thank you,
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