The ASRL board has recently met to decide upon some rules that will take effect immediately but, for the most part, effect only the seasons to come.

Cap Exemption
In years gone by the minor premiers of Premier League received a $500,000 salary cap exemption. This made their salary cap 8 million in the year of a minor premiership defence. The board has voted unanimously to abolish this rule and introduce a PDF prize money reward for both the minor premiers and the grand final winners.
Minor Premier: $300,000 for the upcoming season
Premier: $200,000 for the upcoming season

The salary cap exemption granted to sides relegating (a $500,000 bonus to the salary cap) and sides from Division Two refusing promotion will remain.

Squad Size
As of 2004/2005 the minimum squad size will be raised from the current 20 to a more realistic 22. This will force sides to take some depth over stars- which has been the cause for many sides' failings this year. While it may seem unfair to force sides to buy depth, bare in mind that NRL squads have a flat squad size of 25- no more and no less.

The minimum squad size will increase to 25 by the beginning of the 2005 season.

PDF in Trades
When the trade window next opens (in the post season), PDF will be allowed to make up the entirety of one side's trading. This means a side can offer someone $500,000 for a player, and not have to include another player.

HOWEVER: The minimum a club can offer for a player is that player's current salary. So, purchasing Steve Bell would be worth a minimum of $230,000 whilst purchasing Andrew Johns would require a minimum of $800,000.

The above proviso is to stop clubs whose coaches are friends from abusing the system and 'selling' players for $5 PDF.

If there are any comments or questions- feel free to post in the ASRL Discussion forum.