Koroit president Steve Hoy wants clarity around the player points system after Saints docked points for 2019 season

The Saints have been docked three points and could play with a Hampden league-low 37.

AFL Western District revealed its indicitive points allocations on Friday. 

The nine other clubs were given 40. 

Premliminary finalist Port Fairy has been pulled back from 42 and Hamilton Kangaroos reduced from 43.

Saints president Steve Hoy believes the player points system’s club allocations are “open to interpretation” and a review is needed to provide clarity.

Hoy said Koroit supported the system but was concerned with its subjective nature, given there are no set guidelines around minimum and maximum points.

“We need some definition around ‘what is sustainable success?’,” he said.

“I think that is the issue with the policy at the moment, it’s far too subjective and open to interpretation which means it’s not giving the administrators who are responsible for the policy any clear direction on how to apply it. Where does the policy direct you that two points is appropriate? Why isn’t it one? Why isn’t it four?

“Where is the guide for a club to know ‘if we do this, we can expect that?’”

Hoy said the points system was a worthwhile initiative but tweaks were required to ensure competitions were fair.

“This was about club sustainablity and we understand to a degree equalisation. In the wrong hands, it could become a handicap system,” he said.

“Do we really want to see the day where there’s a grand final with a side on 30 points beaten by a side on 45 points?

“As the policy stands at the moment, that is a possibility. And what does that mean for the integrity of the competition and would it tarnish that win?”

“I think there needs to be a minimum. I have no issue with clubs which may be in situations where they’re remote and can justify the need for 45 points.

Koroit won the 2018 grand final using 32 of its allocated 40 points and expects to be well under its threshold next season. But Hoy said the Saints would air their concerns with AFL Western District and “ask for some clarification and explaination on the policy”.

Hoy said he wanted clubs to receive more support to help them implement good governance, structures, junior development pathway programs and engage with their respective communities and volunteers.

“The bigger picture for me is, if AFL Victoria are quite serious about club sustainability and even competitions, where’s the resources to work with those clubs?,” he said.

“There are half-a-dozen key areas that make a club successful. If you have that right, then you’ll build your culture and the families in your community will come and the players will come because they hear good things about your club about how it’s run and structured.”