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Chris Sandow celebrates his try during the round 21 NRL match against the Canterbury Bulldogs. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay
One of the most frustrating parts about being a rugby league supporter at this time of year, is hearing about some of your favourite players signing with rival teams or English Super League clubs.
It’s about time that this mid-season transfer window is abolished and the league finally reverts to a draft-type system, like the AFL and American professional sports have adopted.
I understand that this will make the movement of players to England more difficult due to the timing of the seasons, but surely there can be a window for those type of transfers only. And perhaps limit the number to two per team maximum.
It just kills me every year to hear of players such as Melbourne’s Adam Blair and South Sydney’s Chris Sandow changing clubs due to salary cap restrictions or for extra money.
The draft idea also promotes the best young players in the competition, it can be a televised event like the AFL have done in the past, and can bring a new form of revenue raising for both clubs and the league.
It also helps those struggling clubs obtain the services of quality players and evens up the system, so that everyone can share the premiership glory at one time or another.
Surely if we introduce a draft, increase the cap, limit movement to England and even bring in concessions for clubs who bring junior players through their ranks, the game will be a better place for all.
Players don’t want to leave, as supporters hate having to change the number on their jersey every season when their favourite player leaves.
I just hope that the Independent Commission can introduce a draft sooner rather than later.
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