The NRL is considering the introduction of up to two players transfer windows per year as early as the 2020 season.
Under the new scheme, clubs will be unable to announce player signings outside of the trade periods pencilled in for the State of Origin series and post-season.
NRL boss Todd Greenberg also vowed to save clubs from salary cap mismanagement by tightening rules relating to back-ended contracts.
The governing body will also look at prohibiting coaches from signing with other clubs a year before the contract expires.
However, in what shapes as the biggest shake-up to the player market under his guidance, Greenberg believes the transfer windows would grow on fans.
“The fans will really enjoy the opportunity to have a structured window,” Greenberg said following a meeting with club chief executives on Wednesday.
“And it’d be better understood by the fans potentially outside of the game too.
“It (also) allows clubs to plan properly, and I think there’s more transparency to it. In saying that, there’s a lot of other impacts we have to consider.”
Under the current set-up, players are allowed to sign with rival clubs in the final year of their contract or be granted a release from their current deal.
Greenberg threw his support behind the proposal, and expected recommendations to be put in front of the ARL Commission early next year.
“At the moment the game allows movement 12 months of the year, and we think there’s an opportunity to look at that in a more condensed window,” he said.
“We tested that today with the clubs, and again there’s strong appetite from the clubs for us to look at that.
“I think that’ll be a pragmatic, sensible approach to what the current market looks like.”
Greenberg also said club bosses have pushed for rules to be strengthened around back-ended deals as early as next season.
Canterbury and Manly have had trouble with their cap management in recent years, leading to major player turnover and roster unrest.
Greenberg added it was also time for the game’s cap rules to evolve.
“Salary caps are there for clubs to manage within their own rules and regulations, but occasionally we’ll have to get a little bit tougher,” he said.
“We’ve had strong support from the clubs (saying), ‘Help us help ourselves’.
“In really broad terms, what we’re not going to allow is a contract to come on the table for $200k in the first year, and $600k in the second year.”
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