Bulls lash 60-point cap ruling

Mt Barker coach Shane Thompson has called for the scrapping of the controversial 60-point margin cap, believing the measure designed to aid the development of the Albany Sharks could have a detrimental effect on the make-up of the top four.

The cap was introduced by the Great Southern Football League in 2014, with any team that defeats the Sharks by more than 10 goals only being credited with a 60-point win on the percentage standings in the league and reserves competitions.

Less than one per cent separates the second-placed Bulls from third-placed North Albany, with Royals one win and 8 per cent clear of the Bulls.

Thompson hit out at the margin cap this week, with the Bulls facing a testing run to the finals after clashing with the Sharks this Saturday. Percentage is set to be a factor in deciding who gets the vital finals double chance from a top-two finish on the ladder.

“If it came down to that I won’t be too happy,” he said. “It doesn’t affect the Sharks, it affects the other teams who are going to play finals. We would not like to miss out on a finals double chance because of this and it’s something you wouldn’t like any club to have to experience. Our percentage should be way ahead.”

The Bulls’ percentage stands at 143.56, only 0.59 per cent ahead of the third-placed Kangas.

Without the margin cap, the Bulls’ percentage would stand at 185.59, more than 20 per cent ahead of the reigning premiers (162.35).

Royals, who are a win clear on top spot, would have a percentage of 178.87 compared with their current 151.62.

Fourth-placed Railways are two wins behind the Kangas with four rounds remaining.

Thompson said he would play his strongest side possible against the Sharks on Saturday in preparation for a tough run to the finals against fellow combatants Royals, North Albany and Railways in the final three rounds.

He said he believed two wins from their final three matches would secure the Bulls a top-two spot and the finals double chance.

“Whoever goes undefeated out of the top three will finish on top,” Thompson said.

GSFL president Joe Burton said the measure was put in place for the “betterment of football” to continue to help the Sharks develop and the Bulls were the only team “obsessed” with handing out thrashings to them.