Comments on: Rugby league needs a new window

By: Mr Cool

Mr Cool — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:54:10 +0000

I believe that the AFL draft system is far better than the ‘open market approach that the NRL take. at least it seems that players can’t just pick a team where they want to go to, without that team offering another player for the transfer, Is this actually how it works or am I way off target??. I would like a better understanding of their system, so, if anyone can explain, greatly appreciated. example, Hannant wants to go back to Brisbane, do they have to negotiate a wage or can other teams grab him from the draft??.

By: Mr Cool

Mr Cool — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:32:12 +0000

And what better place to shack up, Wigan’s pies are WONDERFUL, they actually have real meat in them. good choice Steve, you are obviously a ‘Man of the World. and most of your articles are believable. What a rare thing for me to say against a Journo. lol

By: Greg Russell

Greg Russell — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:48:40 +0000

Steve, as far as I am aware there is also a mid-season transfer window in European football leagues as well. It is not as active as the between-season period, but it is necessary.

I don’t know if you frequent the football pages at these sites, but one general argument I am always having with diehard football fans is that just because it’s done a particular way in football, that doesn’t mean it’s optimal. The thing one has to remember about European football is that it’s so much bigger than all other sports that to all intents and purposes it operates in a non-competitive environment. Australia could not be more different in this respect. Australian football diehards become gleeful over the prospect of multiple divisions in Australian football with promotion and relegation between them, just like in Europe. But what they fail to understand is that this would probably kill the sport commercially (who would want to sponsor a team that could be relegated a few months later?). Similarly with off-season transfers: just because European football does it that way, that doesn’t mean it’s best (I don’t know).

From memory Wayne Bennett has some good ideas on how rugby league could improve how transfers are done. Then again, I think it was you who pointed out the extreme irony of Bennett being scathing of mid-season transfer announcements for a following season, and then doing exactly this himself last year (i.e., announcing at the beginning of a Broncos season that he would be going to the Dragons).

By: The man

The man — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:17:19 +0000

Having players re-signing/moving mid season is an unnecessary distraction. Who wants to know that your player will be off to another club in a year and a half.

Players, managers and clubs should all be able to deal with contract matters in the “off season” only and it would make for good copy for the media.

I thought this is how it used to be done in days gone by.

Given most football club activity takes place in the lead up to the following year, perhaps their is some self interest here from the clubs in not wanting to also deal with player rosters.

By: The Answer

The Answer — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:18:33 +0000

Good point Kevin.

Can’t believe the Roosters aren’t pushing for it now.

By: kevin from glebe

kevin from glebe — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:28:59 +0000

the short buying window system can work but it will only be of benefit to the rich and under the table handout clubs.
at the moment its in the best interest of the player managers theyre killing it.

By: John Ryan

John Ryan — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:16:13 +0000

The AFL system will only last till it is challenged under restraint of trade in the courts,and as night follows day some one will,then it will get interesting for the AFL people.
Is Mason off to Japan,is he our revenge for their treatment of WW2 Aussie prisoners.

By: Steve Kaless

Steve Kaless — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:33:07 +0000

Stradlater,

That is true, but Wigan will probably now buy about 6 players with the cash from the Valencia sale. Look out for a surge in rental requests above the pie shops in Wigan!

By: Brett McKay

Brett McKay — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:03:42 +0000

Steve, you’ve hit in one – players and managers, and realistically, just managers. June 30 was abolished becuase of claims of restraint and other such palava. As for not enough time to move, Brett Finch didn’t seem to have much trouble relocating from Sydney to Melbourne in a week in May, so I don’t undertand that point either.

O’Meley is good case in point – what’s the likelihood he’ll be playing NRL again this year?? The Roosters encouraged him to look elsewhere, have now got their wish, so why would they play him again?? Maybe the idea is to bring in window as you’ve suggested, but to give the incumbent club first and last right of refusal??

By: Stradlater

Stradlater — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:14:10 +0000

The rental market in Wigan is dominated by washed up australian rugby league players and Wigan just sold their main player to Man Utd…an odd choice of example.