The Ipswich Rugby League has introduced a player points rating system this year to try and stop clubs recruiting players from rival IRL clubs.

The Ipswich Rugby League has introduced a player points rating system this year to try and stop clubs recruiting players from rival IRL clubs. Kate Czerny

COACHES will have more than just oppositions to worry about when the Ipswich Rugby League kicks off this year.

For the first time the A- grade competition will operate under a points rating system, where each player is valued.

A team is not allowed to exceed 100 points, with players rated between one and 20 points.

Swifts is one club that has discovered the points system may take some negotiating.

The arrival of assistant coach Laurie Campbell from Goodna has seen several players follow him from the Eagles to the Bluebirds.

Each of them will carry a 10 point rating in their first season with their new club.

Swifts have also signed Tre Sheppard from West End, where he played under 19s last season and who is rated at six points. A former Queensland Cup player has a rating of 14 points or more.

But Swifts' Albert Talipeau is rated lower than that because of the time he has been with the club.

Swifts director of football Paul Srama predicts some careful planning will have to go into the team for this weekend's opening round clash with West End.

But Srama remains supportive of the new system, even if he thinks it could do with some tweaking in future.

The purpose is to stop IRL clubs recruiting players from other IRL clubs, encouraging them to instead retain their own players and attract players from elsewhere.

"It stops players club jumping in the comp," Srama said.

"Guys from outside the comp are valued lower if you are able to attract them."

Northern Suburbs provided the blueprint last season, winning the premiership with what would have, had the points system been in place, been the lowest number of player points in A grade.

Swifts have had a number of players join them from other IRL clubs this season, but have not intentionally gone looking to poach from rival clubs.

Srama is happy to have to try and fit in with the new rules. But he sees how it can be disadvantageous to some.

"It will be hard for developing sides or sides without a powerful junior base," Srama said.

"Guys at Brothers and Norths, with strong juniors, want to play first grade.

"I'd like to see them given the opportunity to play somewhere else."

Such is the case of Sheppard, who left West End because he saw little prospect of getting a run with the likes of Andrew Walker, Shane Gibson and Fili Notoa at the club (all joined the Bulldogs from other IRL clubs).

"It just needs a little bit of tweaking," Srama said.

Player points system

Each club's 17 man game-day squad cannot exceed 100 points.

Clubs are allowed one marquee player who is exempt from the point tally.

IRL A grade player from another club: 10 points.

SEQ representative player: 12 points.

Former Queensland Cup player: 14 points plus.

Players remaining loyal to a new club will have a point deducted each season they stay.