NRL looking to prevent NFL defections

Don't worry about NFL, focus on recruitment and retention. Make sure there are avenues for people who just want to play the game for fun. Not to become NRL stars. More participants equals more fans at the game .

There are 94, 000 players in the 2015 NSW annual report with 72K in Qld makes 162K between the 2 main states and maybe 10K in other states so the ASC survey actually flatters RL.

The NFL is nowhere near the threat to potential defections to that of European and Japanese Rugby which I realise is also mentioned as an afterthought along with AFL. Whatever the possible player drain threat is this really the biggest problem the NRL have on their plate right now?? More like a deflection pr strategy.

That's the issue with a marquee player fund to prevent defection. It encourages players to defect in order to qualify. At some point you have to beleive that your employees want to work for you, if your only carrot is highest paycheck then its unsustainable unless you can take the cost base.

Generally they can't play another sport, without consent, but forbidding unpaid trialling is a different matter.

Could Head office clarify this The ASC says Rugby League has 247,883 participants. The NRL annual report says they have 780,000. The QRL has 72K according their report which must include the significant (80%) increase in women participants. So NSW and the minor states have 170K participants which seems way too high unless you include touch and Oztag. How many male contact players do they have. They stopped producing detailed stats in 2006 as male participation dropped 40% in 10 years.

This is the right policy for the NRL, but it represents a drastic backflip. The fanfare that greeted SBW when he returned from his defection to rugby was extraordinary...only to be outdone by the return of another defector, Hayne, which saw press hype and champers popping, but also... the NRL actually contributed to paying his new salary! These were the highest profile "assets" the NRL had. So the message to other high profile players was: defect, walk out, even breach contracts, and we'll welcome you back with a pay rise!

Both players are employed essentially by the nrl, however, they may be required during the season to return to the USA for more trials interviews which may disrupt their season, and team performance. Further, if they get offered an opportunity to try out for a team spot similar to what Jarrad did, then they will need to relocate to the USA in august next year, the last year of their nrl contracts and just before finals. It's an unwelcome distraction throughout the season, and given both players would rather play NFL I suspect they will probably not be fully committed to the nrl. This is quite different to attending an interview for another job in the same city. I would also add both players add value to each of their respective clubs in terms of memberships, fans etc. leaving in a small way will effect the clubs off field performance and reflect badly on the nrl as a feeder comp to the NFL. I agree with the clubs and nrl that if you want to play another sport, first either break contract or wait u til it's term has ended.

I wonder if they gave the ability to stop them? Not that say legal basis would be a hurdle for current genius management

Interesting to see the clubs want a clause in player contracts to negate these mid contract trials. Wasn't it Marshall who wanted to play rugby in the off season? Gallop said no. end of story. Personally, I feel they are contracted to their club and that should be the end of the story. These end of year boxing matches should also go.

Ive been employed at one place and gone for an interview at another place so I dont see why this is different and the way contracts are treated these days anyone can do what they like when they like. These players are on holiday and Im sure they can do what ever they legally like on holiday

You can't be in two places at once. They either focus on nrl of NFL.

but what will the NRL media have to write about in summer then? Won't someone please think of the effect of these knee jerk decisions on our poor media hacks for a change?

but the reality is they are mercenaries these days, which is not derogatory. so its not a good look for the nrl at all, and the nrl is well within its right to do this, as it does for other australian sports. seriously what would the club say they are going to try and be on good terms with the player.

Nailed it Andrew.

Snubbing their noses? I think not. Both players attended this training camp with the blessings of their clubs.

Correct Vincent, but I think what John is saying is that the RLPA and the NRL not having finished their negotiations is making it hard for the clubs to offer long term deals.

Completely agree Andrew

Its the RLPA and the NRL holding up the salary cap from my understanding. The clubs dont set the salary cap.

If you work for BP are you not allowed to go and meet with Shell and have a conversation? Just a conversation. In that instance you would do it on the quiet and your employer wouldn't even know - at least the Cowboys and Sharks have some idea what their employee is thinking and can perhaps try to do things to encourage them to stay. People interview for jobs while employed every day in their thousands. Quiting your job then going to interview is financially stupid.