THE NRL has commenced negotiations to introduce one of the most sweeping reforms in the 106-year history of the code by implementing a rookie entry draft system.
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In the most significant policy change since Dave Smith was appointed chief executive at Moore Park headquarters at the end of 2012, The Sunday Telegraph has learned NRL powerbrokers have been researching the concept for six months.
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NRL chief executive Dave Smith is a huge supporter of the idea and confirmed the game’s governing body was exploring a number of different rookie draft models.
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“A draft is a mechanism to ensure the competition remains even in the future,” Smith said.
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“We would want its design to reward those clubs which develop juniors, rather than having them taken away by big spending clubs which do little to foster junior talent.”
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One proposal currently being workshopped would allow clubs with strong junior nurseries such as Penrith, Canberra, North Queensland and New Zealand the option of hand-picking their top five juniors.
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These players would be exempt from the draft, guaranteeing clubs with a history of producing strong talent get first crack at maintaining their best juniors.
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The NRL previously implemented a draft system in 1991 before it was overthrown as a restraint of trade when Terry Hill successfully challenged it in the High Court.
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Hill, then with Western Suburbs Magpies, had been drafted to Eastern Suburbs but successfully challenged the trade, forcing the NSWRL to throw out the system after only one year.
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For the NRL to be successful with the rookie draft, they would need to garner full support from the Rugby League Players Association in order to cut a deal under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
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The move is guaranteed to divide some of the NRL’s most powerful figures, with clubs like South Sydney, Canberra, Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra all believed to be in favour of the move.
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But the premiers, Sydney Roosters, are expected to be more of a staunch opponent.
>
Ex-NRL CEO David Gallop was a staunch opponent of a draft due the demands of moving teenagers interstate and away from their families.
>
In the most significant policy change since Dave Smith was appointed chief executive at Moore Park headquarters at the end of 2012, The Sunday Telegraph has learned NRL powerbrokers have been researching the concept for six months.
>
NRL chief executive Dave Smith is a huge supporter of the idea and confirmed the game’s governing body was exploring a number of different rookie draft models.
>
“A draft is a mechanism to ensure the competition remains even in the future,” Smith said.
>
“We would want its design to reward those clubs which develop juniors, rather than having them taken away by big spending clubs which do little to foster junior talent.”
>
One proposal currently being workshopped would allow clubs with strong junior nurseries such as Penrith, Canberra, North Queensland and New Zealand the option of hand-picking their top five juniors.
>
These players would be exempt from the draft, guaranteeing clubs with a history of producing strong talent get first crack at maintaining their best juniors.
>
The NRL previously implemented a draft system in 1991 before it was overthrown as a restraint of trade when Terry Hill successfully challenged it in the High Court.
>
Hill, then with Western Suburbs Magpies, had been drafted to Eastern Suburbs but successfully challenged the trade, forcing the NSWRL to throw out the system after only one year.
>
For the NRL to be successful with the rookie draft, they would need to garner full support from the Rugby League Players Association in order to cut a deal under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
>
The move is guaranteed to divide some of the NRL’s most powerful figures, with clubs like South Sydney, Canberra, Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra all believed to be in favour of the move.
>
But the premiers, Sydney Roosters, are expected to be more of a staunch opponent.
>
Ex-NRL CEO David Gallop was a staunch opponent of a draft due the demands of moving teenagers interstate and away from their families.
