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The NRL will keep its trade window open for an extra month this season in a shock move that will spark a late-season multimillion-dollar transfer frenzy on the eve of the finals.
Clubs now have until August 1 — or round 20 — to finalise their 30-man rosters instead of the traditional June 30 registration cut-off, which would allow Cameron Smith a late opportunity to join a team for a finals campaign.
It means desperate coaches will be able to sign an $800,000 player, like Smith, for as little as $200,000 for the remainder of the season because he will only be on their 2021 books for the last five rounds and the finals.
It would also leave the lowly placed clubs in a vulnerable position to retain their stars who would be keen to play finals football at a stronger outfit.
Some clubs have held back as much as $600,000 in their salary caps and several positions on their rosters to be in a position to strike in what is certain to be a frantic player-signing rush.
The August 1 shut-off deadline will be particularly beneficial for clubs on the edge of the top eight at a time when they are getting desperate for wins in the run home to the finals.
The later deadline could also open short-term contract opportunities.
There would be nothing to stop the player signing for the final five rounds but returning to his original club the following season to complete his contract.
As one player agent said: “It’s a win for the clubs and players. They could lose a key player in July for the rest of the season with an injury but still find a replacement.
“This will cause a huge amount of player movement late in the season.
“The longer the clubs wait the cheaper the players become because you’re only paying them for a couple of months.
“Patience will be the key. There is no point rushing out to fill your 30-man rosters and spending all your money.”
Only four clubs — Canberra, New Zealand, North Queensland and South Sydney — have
Teams like the Titans and Broncos are well placed to sign players later in the season.
“We’re in no rush,” said Test coach Mal Meninga when asked about plans to use the $600,000 that remains in the Titans’ salary cap.
The new cut-off date was a request from the Rugby League Players Association to give the players more options in their latest collective bargaining agreement with the NRL.
“We listened to the players, coaches and footy managers,” RLPA CEO Clint Newton said.
“It means there is more flexibility to manage rosters and opens up opportunities for players at the back end of the season.
“Looking through the lenses of a player, if he can’t get a run at a club that’s in a good spot injury-wise, the whole competition benefits from the player by mutual agreement going to another club.”
Also good players on the edge of first-grade selection at the stronger clubs will become targets. Rather than sitting on the bench, the opportunity to start at a rival club will be tempting.
“Under the new system it makes sense to keep space until much later in the year as a safeguard for injuries,” said Manly Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.
How fans cope with the new deadline remains to be seen.
Previous fan surveys have shown their dislike for mid-season player movements and poaching raids from rival teams where the loyalty of players is often questioned.
Clubs now have until August 1 — or round 20 — to finalise their 30-man rosters instead of the traditional June 30 registration cut-off, which would allow Cameron Smith a late opportunity to join a team for a finals campaign.
It means desperate coaches will be able to sign an $800,000 player, like Smith, for as little as $200,000 for the remainder of the season because he will only be on their 2021 books for the last five rounds and the finals.
It would also leave the lowly placed clubs in a vulnerable position to retain their stars who would be keen to play finals football at a stronger outfit.
Some clubs have held back as much as $600,000 in their salary caps and several positions on their rosters to be in a position to strike in what is certain to be a frantic player-signing rush.
The August 1 shut-off deadline will be particularly beneficial for clubs on the edge of the top eight at a time when they are getting desperate for wins in the run home to the finals.
The later deadline could also open short-term contract opportunities.
There would be nothing to stop the player signing for the final five rounds but returning to his original club the following season to complete his contract.
As one player agent said: “It’s a win for the clubs and players. They could lose a key player in July for the rest of the season with an injury but still find a replacement.
“This will cause a huge amount of player movement late in the season.
“The longer the clubs wait the cheaper the players become because you’re only paying them for a couple of months.
“Patience will be the key. There is no point rushing out to fill your 30-man rosters and spending all your money.”
Only four clubs — Canberra, New Zealand, North Queensland and South Sydney — have
Teams like the Titans and Broncos are well placed to sign players later in the season.
“We’re in no rush,” said Test coach Mal Meninga when asked about plans to use the $600,000 that remains in the Titans’ salary cap.
The new cut-off date was a request from the Rugby League Players Association to give the players more options in their latest collective bargaining agreement with the NRL.
“We listened to the players, coaches and footy managers,” RLPA CEO Clint Newton said.
“It means there is more flexibility to manage rosters and opens up opportunities for players at the back end of the season.
“Looking through the lenses of a player, if he can’t get a run at a club that’s in a good spot injury-wise, the whole competition benefits from the player by mutual agreement going to another club.”
Also good players on the edge of first-grade selection at the stronger clubs will become targets. Rather than sitting on the bench, the opportunity to start at a rival club will be tempting.
“Under the new system it makes sense to keep space until much later in the year as a safeguard for injuries,” said Manly Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.
How fans cope with the new deadline remains to be seen.
Previous fan surveys have shown their dislike for mid-season player movements and poaching raids from rival teams where the loyalty of players is often questioned.
