The NRL has proposed to scrap its controversial Round 13 rule for player contracts in favour of a ten-day ‘cooling off period’ under a new proposal.
The current system allows players until Round 13 to back out of a contract they have signed, giving their current club the opportunity to convince them to stay, or for a player to back out of deals.
This has allowed situations like Daly Cherry-Evans’ to play out over months in the media, even after they’ve signed a contract with their prospective new club.
One of the more interesting elements of the rule is that the club cannot announce the signing of the player until the 10-day period has expired.
NRL head of football, Todd Greenberg, said the current system will be scrapped in favour of a 10 business day period for players to change their minds.
Greenberg said the move was a result of frustrations from both fans and clubs around the current structure, allowing situations to continue to play out over months.
“I think everyone agrees it is unseemly to have months of speculation about whether a player is going to a rival club,” he said.
“Our view is a 10 day cooling off period is an acceptable solution for all involved.”
The institution of the new rule is subject to further consultation and approval from the Rugby League Players Association.
In a statement, the NRL described the exact parameters of the new rule.
If approved, it will stipulate that:
– A player may sign an extension of his contract with his existing club at any time
– A player may sign with a new club only during the final year of his contract
– A 10-business day cooling off period will apply to all contracts
– A club signing a player is prohibited from making an announcement until the cooling off period has expired
Mr Greenberg said the rule would be an interim measure, pending the outcome of Shane Richardson’s “whole of game” review.
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