Hampden league club's request for salary cap breathing space given green tick

Portland, which is yet to play finals in its seven years in the competition, detailed its lack of success, population and geography as reasons behind the request.

The Tigers' salary cap will increase to $170,000 next season. Its nine rivals will have $140,000.

Their cap will revert to the status quo in 2021.

AFL Western District commercial operations manager Matt Ross said it was a one-off increase to help attract players to the region.

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"They're not necessarily getting that natural population movement to their town, as well as not being able to source players from a Ballarat or Geelong region who can commute on the weekends and play," he said.

"Effectively what they're looking at is relocation-type assistance with some recruits from outside the area."

Ross said AFLWD had to consider Portland's financial situation and its long-term plans before granting the increase.

He said the Tigers had previously applied for extra player points but were denied and would have 40 next season - the same as all clubs bar reigning premier Koroit (37).

"At the end of the day, they are still bound by the same points cap as other teams, so it's not like they're going to go out and get six AFL players," he said.

"We wanted to make sure they weren't looking at local clubs and leagues to pull those players out.

"We asked for a list of potential recruits and we were comfortable they were fully outside of our region.

"We got comfort that there should be no impact to local clubs and leagues."

Portland coach Jarrod Holt, who has returned to the club for his second stint as senior coach, said tyranny of distance was hurting the Tigers.

"The club has found it really hard the last few years trying to recruit players, even getting local guys back from the city," he said.

"It's just so far to travel for everyone. It makes it hard.

"Coming into the competition (from the Western Border league) I guess we knew some things were going to be tougher.

"I haven't been around the club the last few years but from all reports they've been trying really hard and a few different approaches but it's been difficult."

Holt said Portland might not use the extra cash allowance but was grateful it could if an opportunity to attract players to the seaside town arose.

"It's just there if we need it," he said.

"It is a bit of recognition we are harder off here than maybe others but we don't feel hard done by.

"It is just putting things in place to try and help us as much as we can."

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