Clubs in the AFL Barwon region are returning to pre-pandemic salary cap levels following the release of the 2026 limits.
The top seven clubs in the GFNL will receive $110,000 next year, up from $100,000 in 2025, but still below the $150,000 limit set in 2019.
Grand finalists St Joseph’s and St Mary’s will again have a player points cap of 38, while Colac, Newtown & Chilwell, Bell Park, South Barwon, and Leopold will have a limit of 40.
For the Towners, it’s a two-point reduction after returning to finals under first-year coach Steve Johnson.
The bottom three, Grovedale, Lara, and North Shore, have all been allocated $120,000 and 46 points.
| GFNL | TTP | APP (K) |
| St Joseph’s | 38 | 110 |
| St Mary’s | 38 | 110 |
| Newtown & Chilwell | 40 | 110 |
| Colac | 40 | 110 |
| Bell Park | 40 | 110 |
| South Barwon | 40 | 110 |
| Leopold | 40 | 110 |
| St Albans | 43 | 115 |
| Geelong West | 43 | 115 |
| Grovedale | 46 | 120 |
| Lara | 46 | 120 |
| North Shore | 46 | 120 |
In the Bellarine, Torquay will remain at 38 points and be joined by grand finalist Geelong Amateur in being ‘handicapped’.
Queenscliff’s resurgence, which saw the Coutas play finals for the first time in seven years in 2025, has resulted in its points being slashed from 44 to 40.
Drysdale, Anglesea and Barwon Heads will also have a 40-point cap and a salary cap of $95,000.
Modewarre has been handed an extra three points and an additional $15,000 to spend after missing the finals, with Portarlington also on 43 points and a $100,000 salary cap.
As revealed by K rock Football in May, Surf Coast has been allocated 60 points for its debut season, with a salary cap of $115,000.
| BFNL | TTP | APP (K) |
| Geelong Amateur | 38 | 95 |
| Torquay | 38 | 95 |
| Queenscliff | 40 | 95 |
| Drysdale | 40 | 95 |
| Anglesea | 40 | 95 |
| Barwon Heads | 40 | 95 |
| Modewarre | 43 | 100 |
| Portarlington | 43 | 100 |
| Newcomb | 46 | 105 |
| Ocean Grove | 46 | 105 |
| Surf Coast | 60 | 115 |
In the GDFNL, all clubs have an initial limit of $85,000, as set in 2025.
Points range from 40 for the top seven to 43 for Werribee Centrals and Winchelsea, and 46 for the bottom three, Bannockburn, Geelong West and Corio.
It is understood that several clubs across the three leagues will apply for reassessment of their salary cap and points, which need to be submitted by October 30.
| GDFNL | TTP | APP (K) |
| East Geelong | 40 | 85 |
| Belmont Lions | 40 | 85 |
| North Geelong | 40 | 85 |
| Anakie | 40 | 85 |
| Bell Post Hill | 40 | 85 |
| Thomson | 40 | 85 |
| Inverleigh | 40 | 85 |
| Werribee Centrals | 43 | 85 |
| Winchelsea | 43 | 85 |
| Bannockburn | 46 | 85 |
| Geelong West | 46 | 85 |
| Corio | 46 | 85 |
X: @krockfootball
