Firstly i appreciate the discussion & everyone's ideas.The two major problems with the system you're suggesting, as far as I can see, are:
1) You don't have any place for TPAs. The NRL has decided TPAs are important as a way of making sure the code of rugby league is as competitive as it can be with external bidders for talent, so they ought to be factored in. What happens if club A's bid for a player is 800k and it comes with 300k of TPAs attached that are, as required, out of the club's hands, and club B's offer is 900k? Is club A required to increase its offer by 100k even though it is already the most lucrative deal on the table? If not, what value do the TPAs have?
2) There's no room for player preference. I have as many doubts as the next person about players "signing for unders to be part of a winning culture" at the Roosters, but equally it's pretty tough to force players to move to clubs they don't want to play for. I'm aware the AFL basically does this but (a) that system is under severe pressure and (b) that code doesn't have the same pressure from cross-code interest. Are you going to try to force a player who doesn't want to leave the ACT to sign for the Warriors even when the response is likely to be taking a contract from the Brumbies? Are you going to tell an 18 year old Indigenous kid from country Queensland that he has to go play for the Bulldogs because they've offered 70k a year more than the Cowboys?
1- No need to regulate TPAS. A club could pay the players as much as they want "off the books". (just like ther Rorters do now. ) But this way , instead of the Rorters paying supposedly"700 K" to Tedesco under the salary cap they now are forced , like most other clubs to pay market value under their salary cap. They are made to adhere to the salary cap like everyone else. Essentially, if the Rorters wanted to pay Tedesco 10m in hidden payments it doesnt matter, cause they are still forced to pay market value for him, that value comes off the their salary cap, not the value they supposedly pay now.
2-No players are forced to sign anywhere. The players can sign with any club , however that club has to pay the market value for that player, as determined by the highest bidder.2 things could help with what you are suggesting- There is a long service discount & a developed junior discount.
The 18 yo kid from country QLD can still join the Cowboys , but the Cowboys have to match the offer the Bulldogs made. But also remember , there would be a junior discount for the Cowboys if that 18yo kid was developed through their systems , say 20%. This would keep juniors local & stop the Rorters picking the eyes out of the juniors after all the other clubs have done the hard work. One last thing, sometimes the 18 yo kids from country Qld cant get a contract with their preferred club.If they have the commitment to play NRL, they would take a start anywhere to get an opportunity.
I dont pretend to have all the answers & appreciate all the input & ideas.