The new look ASRL boards, sporting several new representatives, has been working overtime to make some tough decisions for the season to come, and the season to follow this one (2003/2004).
THE BAND SYSTEM
As of 2003/2004, teams not spending their allotted salary cap will receive an amount of money dependent on the amount below the cap they are. The 'band system', proposed by David McElroy, will operate like so:
* $500,001 to $1 million under: Club receives $300,000 for the PDF.
* $251,000 to $500,000 under: Club receives $150,000 for the PFF.
* $50,000 to $250,000 under: Club receives $50,000 for the PDF.
NEW ROOKIE SYSTEM
The rookie system will also undergo an overhaul at the end of this season. By round 20, sides must nominate how much they intend to spent on developing rookies. This means clubs must decide whether to invest in their future, or hold money back for the finals. In all cases, a rookie's stats are randomly generated (as is their position). You can purchase up to three rookies, mixing bands if you so wish.
Basically a side nominates how much money they wish to spend from their PDF:
* $60,000 for a rookie with stats varying between 4 and 8.
* $100,000 for a rookie with stats varying between 5 and 8
* $175,000 for a rookie with stats varying between 5 and 9
* $300,000 for a rookie with stats varying between 6 and 9
NEW CONTRACT SYSTEM
At the conclusion of the season, a new contracts system will come into effect. This new system will better simulate the negotiating period that begins to take place after the June 30 deadline in the NRL. The system allows you to keep a number of players dependent on where your club finishes. The clubs you cannot keep are listed in the club's Your Club section along with their stats and the salary you are willing to pay them for the year to come. This can be less if you're kean to get rid of the player, or higher if you wish to 'upgrade their contract'.
Other coaches can then respond to your post with offers for that player. Generally these have to be at least 10% more than the current contract. Other variables include:
- Change of state: Minimum extension of $75,000. Hence it would take $900,000 to shift Andrew Johns from Gold Coast into a non QLD club ($750,000 base, $75,000 increase, $75,000 to shift states).
- Change of country: Minimum extension of $150,000. Hence it would coast $975,000 to shift Joey to a NZ, PNG, Fiji, or South African club.
Basically sides bid in a given period, with the players going to the club who has bid the highest. Obviously the owner club can counter-bid, but at no time may you make bids that would make you exceed the salary cap.
The amount of players kept, as specified earlier, will vary dependent on where you finish:
- Premier: 20 players
- Runner Up: 18 players
- Minor Premier: 20 players
- Semi-Finalist: 17 players (This does not stack)
- Finalist: 15 players
- Missed Finals: 12 players
- Relegated/Wooden Spoon: 10 players
You may appeal to the board if you believe your club's finish was affected by extenuating circumstances. Things such as change of coach, heavy representative duties, or planned moves are all grounds for appeal.
MODIFIED TWO-TIER STATE OF ORIGIN
The State of Origin for 2003 will be slightly different than in preview years. As always, the top flight QLD and NSW coaches (Jelly Adams and myself) will be able to chose the finest players from either division. However, the Division Two NSW and QLD coaches (Marshal Boyd and Luke Sharpe) may take players whose combined attack and defence does not total higher than 17. Thus an 8/9 could play Junior Origin, but no one of 9/9, 9/10, or 10/10.
Otherwise Origin remains the same.
INTER ALLIANCE TRI-SERIES
With the formation of a new alliance, an inter-alliance cup will take place this year pitting the SEX Daemons against a UAF side and an ESF representative side. These sides will play each other once at home and once away. The board has decided that each Alliance member side must be represented in the rep team. Thus, the ESF squad must include a player from: Gold Coast, Carnarvon, Central, Perth, Wellington, Cairns, North Melbourne, Parramatta, and Hawkesbury.
LOWER DIVISION TWO SALARY CAP FOR 2003-2004
At the conclusion of the 2003 season, the Divison Two salary cap will drop to $4.5 million (as opposed to the current $5.5 million). This was the only unanimously passed motion, as we all believe it best represents the fact that most high profile players would be reluctant to spend their careers at underachieving clubs.
MODIFIED PROMOTION AND RELEGATION SYSTEM
The promotion and relegation system is now different. Instead of three clubs promoting each season, there will now be only two. As with last year, the Minor Premiers are guaranteed ascension at the expense of the wooden spoon side from Division Two. However, only one side is guaranteed with promotion. The Grand Final winner (or runner up should the Minor Premiers win) will play a home and away clash against the 15th placed Premier League side. The side which wins these clashes will secure a Premier League spot, whilst the other will be in Division Two.
NEW TRAINING RULES
Training will operate differently this year to account for the new sim we're using. Ignore all rules for training and buying form you know- as it operates this way now.
No player may receive more than 10 points of form in a given week. Manly could give Aaron Moule +10 form, and Stacey Jones +10 form- but they could not give Moule +20.
Each week each side can buy up to 50 points of form, whereas last year there was no upper limit. This means Manly could buy +10 form for Stacey Jones, Aaron Moule, Brendon Reeves, and Mat Rogers- whilst buying +5 form for both Stanley Tepend and Steve Menzies.
No player may be trained over 120 form. So, if Stacey Jones was on 119 form, you could only purchase +1 form for him.
These new rules are not debateable, although you can email me (Inches_72@yahoo.com) with questions or suggestions for possible ammendments after this season.
Chris
Modified the number of players retained for all involved in the finals.
Chris
