Salary Cap - Points Idea

[Harvey]

Something needs to be done. There is no salary cap, it is a marketing tool to try and suggest that there is some equity in the competution.

 

[jirskyr]

I say this every time this topic is brought up - I don't think a points system can be properly implemented at this level.

OP at least did not make it a fantasy-footy style points cap (based on performances), which would never work when some central body has to decide how "valuable" a player is. It would be more workable if it's based on player achievements and representative background.

However there are still lots of problems with an achievement-style points cap and some examples were given like Adam Reynolds being "cheap". What if you play 1 Origin as a last-minute call up vs every Origin for the past 5 years - they would be points-equivalent? In many ways it starts to penalise high-achieving players, squeezing them out of their club. What if you are right at the cap, some player gets called up for reps and now you have to release him because he's put himself outside your spare points?

And what about mid-season achievements, as also previously mentioned? What if you build a great side and they all play Origin due to good form (like Penrith), then you have to let half of them go due to points cap pressure ? What if you buy a 9-point player but it turns out his form was only good because of the talent in his previous side, and now like Adam Blair you have a dud?

Other issues - Kiwi and Tongan players would be penalised for representing their country, as it is less competitive to get into those sides (due to depth) and you would become points-expensive. However there is no Origin-equivalent for Kiwis, so there would be no 9-point Kiwis - you would be either 10 points or 5 points.

And the fundamental issue with these systems - you will then have a price disparity when bidding for the 10- and 9-point players. Teams like Broncos would always out-compete cash-strapped clubs for the best talent in each points pool.

I don't believe there is a top-tier professional sports competition in the whole world operating with a points cap? There are more amateur comps that do it, but I believe the top competitions don't use points caps for a reason.