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Player recruitment needs an overhaul in the NRL

28th October, 2017
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Cooper Cronk (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Roar Guru
28th October, 2017
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1379 Reads

Todd Greenberg has copped his fair share of criticism over the past few years, some fair and some unfair.

However, if he chooses, he has the opportunity to implement what rugby league really needs. It will no doubt be controversial but there needs to be a complete overhaul of the player recruitment system.

This need was best shown by the media attention over the past week. There is a Rugby League World Cup on, albeit a Cup that Australia is expected to win comfortably although the tournament opener showed it won’t be easy.

Instead of completely focussing on that, a lot of attention was diverted to Cooper Cronk and the potential impact of his signing at the Roosters. I’m sure Cronk would say he is not bigger than the game, but it certainly seemed that way with the coverage.

Many things need to change. Firstly, let’s look at the Cronk situation. Despite a few rules, at present, it’s effectively open season all year round on player purchases for next season while, from first November, clubs are allowed to negotiate with players for 2019.

While negotiations for next season can be destabilising for a club, signing players more than 12 months out is destabilising for fans. Poor crowds are an ongoing issue for the NRL. I’m not suggesting that this is the only reason crowds are disappointing, but it is clearly disengaging for supporters.

It’s time to follow the AFL and introduce a trading period, or additionally even open a trading window for a week or two during the season.

The idea isn’t to restrain trade for players, it’s purely to allow focus on the game itself rather than who’s buying who for next year.

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Of course, not all players are equal. While some would be straight player trades, some will involve compensation. While money is obviously an option for making up the difference, so are draft picks.

Rugby league implemented a draft in 1991 and it lasted just a season due to legal action. If they were to implement one now successfully, it would have to include only un-contracted existing NRL players, after the trading period closed, or juniors unwanted by their original clubs.

This allows the NRL clubs to still foster development in their region and keep the juniors they want in their system, although how this works without a Holden Cup next year is anyone’s guess.

The draft broke down in the early 1990s as it was forcing players to move to a club they didn’t want to move to. You could argue that the players on this revised draft above would likely be keen to move anywhere to get the chance to play NRL.

Let’s also look at third party agreements. Corporates sponsoring players should continue to be encouraged but there is a perception that one team towns such as Brisbane and Melbourne, or clubs with wealthy backers such as the Roosters, have an unfair advantage given they would attract more third party agreements.

It’s hard to argue against that perception as there is no transparency. Increase the salary cap if required but those agreements should be transparent and form part of the cap. The NRL could look at slightly higher grants for clubs where third party agreements are less prevalent. We need a level playing field.

The NRL has been fortunately in recent years in having a good spread of Premiership winners. I’d argue that this is more due to injuries to key players and crucial retirements than an effective recruitment system.

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Regardless of this, fans really want to focus on the game itself rather than the player rumour sideshow. Having a month in the off season for a trading period and restricted draft achieves this.

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