Rake's Rave: Local stars give Rams, Tigers big boost in PFNL's points system

I mean, do you stack your side with a handful of recruits and hope they blitz the rest of the competition? Or do you lean on your more talented locals as the avenue to a flag?

Both can be viable, but recent memory in the Peel Football and Netball League would suggest the latter is the more fruitful option.

You only have to look at the past two seasons as the perfect indicator.

Pinjarra has garnered a pair of premierships from essentially regaining local legends who had gone on to play at higher levels, with guys like Brock O'Brien, Rory O'Brien, Dean Beswick, Rob Beswick, Kieran May and plenty others operating at minimal cost under the points cap.

Now for those unawares, the points system is essentially country footy's best alternative to a salary cap.

Under current PFNL rules, teams are given an allocation of 33 points per week, and must field a squad of 22 players without exceeding that limit.

Each player is given a grading depending on where they have previously played their footy.

For example, a newly-signed WAFL recruit will cost you four points on game day, while a player that wore your club's jumper as a junior will only take up one.

That's what makes star local players such a precious commodity, and it's a formula that could be paving the way for a new champion this year.

The Rockingham Rams seem to be somewhat following that Tigers' blueprint, with a contingent of local juniors that have tasted the WAFL (and AFL) level currently spurring their senior side on atop the table.

Brad Walsh, Damon Cramer, Lucas Humphreys and William Zilko are just some of the players Rockingham have regained from the state level in recent years. All are key parts of the Rams' 22 and all cost just a solitary point on the weekly allocation.

Out of all eight clubs, the Rams have used the third-least amount of points this season, tallying just 27.05 per game.

The only clubs who lean on local talent more than the league-leaders are Pinjarra (who average 24.41 points used per game) and South Mandurah (23.35).

This isn't to say those one-point players are imperative to success. Baldivis, who currently reside in second place and share a 14-3 record with the Rams, have used their entire 33-point allocation in every one of their games this season and remain a flag fancy.

But there's no doubt these numbers highlight the importance of developing strong junior football programs, with clubs like the Rams and Tigers reaping the rewards of the talent they invested in so heavily so long ago.

1. Baldivis (33)

2. Centrals (31.64)

3. Waroona (30.35)

4. Mandurah (30.11)

5. Halls Head (27.35)

6. Rockingham (27.05)

7. Pinjarra (24.41)

8. South Mandurah (23.35)