Actually... No... Not completely true...
I think there's a misconception on these boards that it's a blanket rule that no contract is valid until June 30 or whatever the date is they take registrations.
That's definitely not the case... That date is the registration date for the NRL for the following season.
these back outs occur because players either sign a letter of intent... Or they sign contracts with a back out clause which would void the contract if they change they're mind before the contract is registered with the NRL.
Papalii was able to back out because of how the contract with Parra was written. They allowed wiggle room in his contract and Papalii used it... Which is fair enough...
But let me assure you... a contract is still a binding contract whether it's registered by the NRL or not.
There are some NRL agents who actually decline these clauses in all they're clients contracts on principle as a of show good faith with the clubs they deal with.
Obviously I don't know what Milford has signed... So I have no idea what's going to happen here... But if he's signed a tight contract with no back out clauses with the Broncos... It doesn't matter when the NRL registration date is.. He's a broncos player for the period he's signed for.
And you would think after the Papalii back out they would be very keen on making sure there is no wiggle room...
So to sum up... A contract is valid based on the stipulations in the contract signed... Not from some magic date in the middle of the season the NRL chooses.
It does not matter what the Broncos want to do. The NRL is the governing body who has said their contracts will not be valid until a certain date. Both parties go into the deal knowing this, there is an understanding that this is the case.
If Milford backflipped, the NRL would not register the NRL contract, as per the terms and conditions laid down. The Broncos might be able to challenge it in court, but the courts would almost certain decline to get themselves involved in this nonsense and simply dismiss it on the back of the fact the contract was entered into on both sides of the party full aware that the NRL does not consider this a valid contract until a certain date.
It is not a valid, registered NRL contract until Round 13, 2014. Regardless of what he's signed.
It's really simple. If Canberra get him to back flip before Round 13, his Raiders contract will be registered. The Broncos contract will only be registered before that time with written consent from the Raiders to say they have conceded his rights.
The broncos can then challenge that in court, but like every club this has happened to before, including Souths, Canberra and Eels, all the talk of courts dies down after a week or so because there is:
A) a high chance the courts dont find in their favour
B) even if they win, forcing a player to play for a club they dont want to be at is rarely a good move.
