Black Diamond AFL officials will meet with clubs on Monday to discuss the newly implemented player-points system after AFL NSW-ACT this week handed down a long-awaited ruling on Cardiff’s pre-season appeal.
A mid-year adjustment to Cardiff’s original points allocations could be on the cards after an independent AFL NSW-ACT board upheld the protest, but only in part and requested Black Diamond AFL to “reconsider” the weighting.
This controversy stems as the state governing body and the region’s two main entities, Black Diamond seniors and AFL Hunter Coast juniors, work towards a “single governance model” for 2019 and beyond.
A vote by the independent outfits in March went against amalgamation, which would have also seen AFL NSW-ACT assume overall control.
Cardiff secretary Peter Risby said the Hawks’ dissatisfaction with a 38-point loading was lodged prior to round one and long before they were unbeaten on top of the competition ladder.
“We’re not opposed to a player points system, but our principal concern is with the unreasonable nature of it and the basic impact on our club,” Risby said.
In a statement on Friday, AFL NSW-ACT virtually agreed with that premise and suggested a new, “impartial” panel form to “reconsider” the initial call. The “recommendation” was an “increase” to 40 weekly points.
Black Diamond AFL president Wal Bembic said the group would refrain from commenting further until “after discussing the point system with clubs” and “finding a way forward from there”.
If the change went through last year’s grand finalists Cardiff would drop back and join three other clubs on 40 points while Saturday’s opponents Newcastle City and defending champions Terrigal Avoca have the smallest allowance of 34.
On the park and Cardiff welcome back 16-year-old Lachlan Price (concussion) from a four-week lay-off for their clash with third-placed City at No.1 Sportsground.
Elsewhere in round 12 and Warners Bay host Nelson Bay, Maitland are away to Gosford, Singleton visit Wyong Lakes and Terrigal Avoca are at home to Killarney Vale.
Last-placed Lake Macquarie, who recently voted to stay up in the top-flight competition, has the bye.
Meanwhile, both Hunter and Central Coast this week announced their representative squads for next month’s tri-series at Medowie.
