The discussion surrounding the introduction of an NRL trade window once again surfaced in the past week, with league boss Andrew Abdo flagging a reformed transfer market is a "top priority" for the league's future.

“Our system needs to be updated and there are frustrations for everyone,” Abdo told The Daily Telegraph over the weekend.

“We think this is a genuine opportunity to make our game even more appealing to fans and if we’re running a sports entertainment business here, then positive change is good for all of us.’’

Both fans and critics of the league have suggested the NRL could move a step closer to the AFL's trade model to improve player movements and end mid-season signings.

While the concept of a trade period remains fresh in the minds of many who have questioned the NRL's current player market system, reporter Andrew Webster has suggested the league should look to introduce a draft to enhance player recruitment, further mirroring the AFL.

“I think the NRL needs to look at a draft,” Webster said on SEN 1170.

“The transfer of players between clubs during the season isn’t working.

“The game would benefit as the AFL does with all the stories and media interest in the off-season.

“Instead of focusing on off-field scandals they can focus on the draft.

“I think it works beautifully in other sports, it’s an event. Look at how much coverage it generates in the NBA and NFL in particular.

“I think it’s something the game has to look at as well."

Journalist Paul Kent called for the NRL to look into formulating a draft system midway through last year during a tough financial period for St George Illawarra.

“It is also the false economy in the salary cap, that’s what people don’t understand,” Kent said on NRL 360.

“There is a false economy there. If you are a $400,000 a year player and that’s your true value, but the Roosters come and say play for us and we will give you $350,000.

“Then you say I’m going to be $50,000 short but I’m going to make the grand final. I’m a chance to play finals and semi-finals every year and build my value for my next contract.

“If the Dragons or the Titans give you $400,000 you say I’m not going there. So they have to pay $450,000.”

The NRL announced this week that the 30-man squad deadline has been moved to August 1, meaning clubs could sign rival players on the eve of finals to increase their premiership bid.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Nope! I kid grows up wanting to play for his local home team. In this case lets say he is from Townsville and all he ever wanted was to play for the Cowboys to support his local area and play with his mates. He ends up in the draft and gets picked up by lets say Canberra a place with a different climate and not a place he wants to be at because of obvious reasons. But he has no say. I know it professional sport and big dollars etc. But you should be the one who has the final decision on where you play. Not a draft system! More onus should be on developing your own juniors and being compensated for doing so. If you want to be placed in a draft system then fair enough but it has to be your own call.

  2. I absolutely agree with you Out-Of-puff..
    For some clubs & their supporters now, one of the things they really enjoy is looking to see what good juniors are coming into the first grade squad from last seasons junior grades.
    For clubs that aren’t looking to just buy their way to a premiership, that’s their best way to improve. Many of them don’t have the wealthy independent backers to buy a premiership .
    If you take that away from them with a draft system, what’s left for those clubs?
    Newcastle does have good backing now, but many of their juniors want to stay for less than they could get elsewhere. As they love the area & it’s their home , where their mates are , their families are. A draft doesn’t work for them.
    It doesn’t work for some who chose to stay with their juniors mates at Penrith, rather than take bigger offers from elsewhere. Or for those juniors coming through at St.George either.
    Then, do you want to force players away from their home country of NZ? Or from far North Queensland?
    It could only work , if the juniors get to choose if they wish to leave their junior clubs in the first place? If they do & other more senior players are leaving a club? Those players can go into a draft.
    Otherwise, what incentives are there for the clubs who mostly produce their own juniors?
    Where’s the mention of transfer fees as well, for those clubs producing their own talented youngsters?

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