Lara coach Brett Henderson urged local football’s governing bodies to consider great flexibility with the salary cap and points system in the wake of the club’s 46-goal hammering on the weekend.
The Cats were on the wrong side of the second-highest score in GFNL history, as St Mary’s eclipsed the 300-point barrier in winning by 276 points.
Lars sits only above North Shore on the ladder after three rounds with a percentage of 12.89, following beltings from 2024 wooden-spooner St Albans (138 points) and Grovedale (120 points) before the mauling by the Saints.
Henderson claims the Cats were hamstrung in the pre-season by their inability to recruit after being allocated 44 points – one less than last year – and a salary cap of $105,000, which sits only $5000 higher than most of the competition.
“I’d love to see that if a side like us is losing by 270 points, there’s got to be some scope with the (player) points,” he said.
“They need to be boosted right up, and I think our salary cap would need to be boosted significantly as well, so we can try and attract players because at the moment we’re basically at the same cap as the top sides.
“It’s not a whinge, but it’s what I think is factual, and it’s certainly hurt clubs around the state.”
Experienced trio Dan Weigl, Mitch Day, and Dylan Jose all departed a team that won three games in 2024 in the off-season.
Playing co-coach Devon Smith retired after two injury-interrupted years following AFL retirement, and former Werribee midfielder Connor Thar joined Central Highlands club Waubra.
Henderson’s son Darby was among the few new faces and has done all he can, but is getting little help from a line-up featuring less GFNL experience than the Seagulls.
Henderson says the Cats spoke with several quality potential recruits in the off-season, but could not meet their financial demands.
“We recruited as well as we possibly could,” he said.
“We would put offers into really quality players only to be smashed on the dollar.
“And, I’m telling you now, there are clubs throughout Victoria that aren’t playing by the rules, and it’s hurting sides like us that are.”
Henderson says Lara will state its case with AFL Barwon and AFL Victoria.
“We need something to change,” he said.
“Look at some of the clubs around the state; Mayborough, they’re no longer with us.
“Tatura, Benalla, these sorts of places that have been down the bottom for a long time.
There needs to be some change, because otherwise, you’re just banging your head against the wall.”
AFL Barwon has been contacted for comment.
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