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For too long, clubs that develop and invest in junior development have received no compensation for their work.
Rather than talking financial compensation, which the Raiders wanted after losing Anthony Milford to Brisbane, maybe we need to overhaul the whole system?
In the NBA, clubs that draft certain players and sign them to a rookie deal, which lasts four years, then have that player’s ‘bird rights’ – meaning they are able to re-sign any junior they have developed.
If another franchise was to offer that player a deal, their original club has every right to match this offer.
Let’s work with an example of how this would go in the NRL.
Latrell Mitchell has risen through the Roosters’ ranks, but when he comes off contract, let’s say the Storm offer him a deal. He can accept said deal, but the Roosters would still hold the power to match this offer, which would keep him Mitchell Sydney.
If the Storm were desperate, they could offer Mitchell money the Roosters could not match, allowing the youngster to leave and take up a chunk of the Storm’s cap.
Still, this rule gives the original club more power than the club looking to poach when it comes to the negotiation table – which is fair, because the former club has invested money and time in their junior’s development.
For sure there will be difficult situations, such as Milford’s, that would require more care and understanding, but cases such as this are rare.
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