A Draft?

[Perth Red]

Nope don't need a draft imo. As long as all clubs are running a HM, SG Ball (or equivalent) and Toyota cup teams then clubs who invest in jnr programmes and have good recruitment will benefit, and that is the way it should be. In fact if anything I'd like to see better salary cap concessions to reward clubs who work hard on Jnr development.

 

[adamkungl]

No to a draft. Yes to junior development salary cap concessions.

 

[Shorty]

Would love to see a draft, those saying they like 'local flavour' of their teams forget that the draft might strengthen international league.

 

[In-goal]

The subject says it all, discuss.

My view is slightly in favour, but I was a little shocked at the total disregard on the footy show.

 

[The AXXXMAN]

What exactly are you in favour of?

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

Nothing wrong with the current system. If it ain't broke, don't break it.

 

[Enoughsaid]

Richo from souths was on ONE digital tonight talking About him being in favour of it

 

[carlosthedwarf]

Of course Souths would, makes it easier for them to sign big name players.

 

[CC_Roosters]

Frustrated by talk of a draft, especially when it seems media types bring it up in relation to solving mid season signings for the next year. I wonder are they actually stupid or do they just do it to keep in conversation and thus sell papers as i would say it counts as a shock headline.

 

[spitfire]

Against any form of a draft. Players should be free to go to the club they want, not forced to go elsewhere.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Kent said it best last night on Fox - no one knows what a draft actually means. It has to be defined before it can be discussed.

 

[carlosthedwarf]

Kent said it best last night on Fox - no one knows what a draft actually means. It has to be defined before it can be discussed.

Completely agree. Idiot bulldog ritche was crying about not having one club players anymore.

Well what if the draft was only for players who didn't sign with their club after graduating from Toyota Cup? What if clubs were given every opportunity to sign their own players before any other club?

People just hear draft and want to complain without thinking about what it could be.

 

[Special K]

I think they need to show their draft idea otherwise it is pointless as we do not know how such a draft would work. Would it mean they do away with 20s? Why would a club develop a 16 - 19 year old only to see him get picked up by another club before they get a shot at him? I guess if you make it like expansion drafts in the NBA where you could protect some of your 20s then it may work. But really what would that do? Basically swap the best 20s players between teams.

Just bring in two transfer windows with one for mid season moves and a big post season window for the next year.

 

[The AXXXMAN]

Do the draft advocates really expect established players who've been in the system for several years to actually entertain the options of either accepting a lower deal at their incumbent club, or running the gauntlet of the draft where they'll could end up at any club? The draft is a proven restraint of trade in the High Court of Australia. There is a precedent and it was brought on by a rookie. You expect an established star to accept such a fate?

The draft is not challenged in the AFL, and the NFL, and the NBA, etc, etc, because all those leagues have a decent player union which works for the player collective and have managed to negotiate a generous CBA. As in other areas of this 2-bit rugby league comp (mid-season signings is just another), the NRL's equivalent is a joke.

A free agency period at the end of the season where the 15 other clubs are allowed to approach and negotiate with out of contract players is what's required. Still, for this to work, there still needs to be a decent player union which can collectively bargain for better player conditions and minimum pay, etc, otherwise, players could very well bring a case for a restraint of trade. But it's still a shitload better than a draft where the clubs have the upper hand, and the current fiasco where player agents run the transfer market.

A free agency period will be an excellent forum for players to really test their market value across all 15 clubs.

 

[carlosthedwarf]

I think the only reason a draft is suggested is the theory that it stops any pre-arranged deals.

I'd at least like to try a true end of season signing period before committing to a draft.

 

[CC_Roosters]

Do the draft advocates really expect established players who've been in the system for several years to actually entertain the options of either accepting a lower deal at their incumbent club, or running the gauntlet of the draft where they'll could end up at any club? The draft is a proven restraint of trade in the High Court of Australia. There is a precedent and it was brought on by a rookie. You expect an established star to accept such a fate?

The draft is not challenged in the AFL, and the NFL, and the NBA, etc, etc, because all those leagues have a decent player union which works for the player collective and have managed to negotiate a generous CBA. As in other areas of this 2-bit rugby league comp (mid-season signings is just another), the NRL's equivalent is a joke.

A free agency period at the end of the season where the 15 other clubs are allowed to approach and negotiate with out of contract players is what's required. Still, for this to work, there still needs to be a decent player union which can collectively bargain for better player conditions and minimum pay, etc, otherwise, players could very well bring a case for a restraint of trade. But it's still a shitload better than a draft where the clubs have the upper hand, and the current fiasco where player agents run the transfer market.

A free agency period will be an excellent forum for players to really test their market value across all 15 clubs.

Post of the year. Well said.

 

[undertaker]

The draft system is communism. Australia isn't a communist country. Gordon Tallis nailed it on the "Five in the Bin" segment tonight when he said that no way should a player be told where to play. Players like Matt Bowen, Darren Lockyer, Andrew Johns, E.T., Steve Menzies who grew up in their areas, aspired their whole lifetime to play for their clubs and are the personification of their clubs, would've never ended up playing for their clubs if a draft system was in place. If I was playing league, I, growing up in the Hunter region, would dread the thought of being fed exed off to Souffs. I wouldn't want to play for them, wouldn't want to live in the area, wouldn't accept double the money to play there compared to what Newcastle offered me, NOR should I be told to play there. Likewise, back in their youth, would you have told Andrew Johns that he cannot play for Newcastle and therefore, IN THE NAME OF EQUALITY (a motif which I'll touch on in just a sec), must play at Canberra? Of course not (would love to see Skeepe's reaction this, LOL!)!

So, of course Shane Richardson (on The Game Plan tonight) was in favour of a draft system because he is the CEO of a club that has performed incompetently for a long time. No way should a draft be used in the name of promoting equality and making every team equal in a situation like that. No way should his club, or any long-term underperforming club, be REWARDED for that. I absolutely despise this premise, but even if Souffs did monopolise all the top draft picks, it doesn't necessarily mean success would be imminent as a team of champions doesn't equal to champion team.

Another issue which I haven't heard anyone in the media raise, which is prominent in the AFL (where a draft system is in place) , is the concept of "tanking". Teams that know they have nothing to play for during the season will deliberately underperform/throw matches in order to get better draft picks. This is tantamount to match fixing (without receiving any financial benefits) and is not in the spirit of the game and the results of games involving those teams could have a huge outcome regarding finals positions.

So, to me, the words "draft" and "tanking" will always be synonymous with "AFL" and have absolutely no place in rugby league.

 

[hellteam]

This 'draft' solution for mid season signings has shown many journalists up for what they are - idiots. People don't understand what the AFL and other sports draft is, its not a solution to anything, especially mid season.

The question for people to send in answers to on the back page of The Courier Mail yesterday was "Should the NRL introduce a mid-season draft?" What the hell?

Even worse were the answers (probably written by the editor)
- the AFL has it and it seems to work so yes

 

[betcats]

f**k a draft, much prefer watching local kids come thru the grades.

 

[POPEYE]

Definitely. All club administrators and coaches that don't think it's necessary to promote juniors should be sent to Afghanistan