I heard on the radio the idea of a player auction. It could be held 4 to 6 weeks before finals. Clubs could nominate players from their roster for the auction. Finals teams would have the chance to fill gaps caused by injury and suspension. Clubs putting players into the auction would get salary cap relief and finals experience for players sold at the auction. Not only clubs out of finals contention, but finals-bound clubs could also enter players into the auction. For example, the Eels could have put Nathan Brown into the auction. If Brown was sold at the auction the Eels would then have that salary cap space for someone else at the auction. The auction could be live on TV and fans would see exactly what dollars clubs were spending.
If the auction system was successful it would improve the quality of the finals also. Leaving 1 or more spots available in your roster as well as salary cap space would become extremely important.
The downside would be the fringe top 8 sides spending money at the auction but missing the finals as well as clubs selling players and then going on a winning streak and making the top 8, eg, The Raiders and Broncos this year.
Replies
Nope, stupid idea.
Thanks for your input.
All good mate 👍
On a serious note, it is a stupid idea. The likes of Storm and Roosters and other clubs with good connections will always find ways to get the players they need to make the finals push and get on a run, especially if the auction happens 4-6 weeks before the finals.
Not a stupid idea, but really don't like it, it would cheapen the game and give more advantage to the better managed clubs.
Already hate the fact Nofoaluma is playing for Melbourne when they should be playing one of their juniors.
I agree, but the advantage of having the player auction would be all clubs would have the chance of getting Nofoaluma if they wanted, and clubs would also have the ability to insure that a club like the Storm would have to pay extra $$$$$ for Nofoaluma by bidding also, as long as they have the cap space available if needed.
I tend to agree mate, its the big few clubs that would probably really benefit from this, making them even stronger.
Mate i think its a great idea but with some tweeks.
In theory its great, but what happens when every year the roosters just happen to have the funds to outbid everybody else?
Thus making them even stronger for the finals?
It wouldn't be difficult for the NRL to publish every clubs available cap space. Also, we would all see extra money available if a club like the Roosters sold 1 of their own players via the auction. At the moment it is unclear what clubs are paying for mid/late season pick-ups.
I agree, I don't like the current system. Unfortunately, I can't see it changing too much. At least with the auction system, we would know exactly what clubs are paying players they pick up, plus every club would have the chance to bid on players available. Currently, player managers with stronger relationships with certain clubs probably encourage their players toward those clubs. The auction system makes these types of deals transparent and fair for all clubs.
Players go to the highest bidder I wonder who that would be
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