Now people have picked out little pieces from the report and hammered it from pillar to post. No review of any business will ever be accepted in full, however, there are always recommendations that are worthwhile and I will attempt to highlight those. I apologise if this has been posted previously.
- No NRL expansion for at least 3 years.
- Ad hoc recruitment of players, sometimes past the next season that has fans up in arms, will be referred to ARL Commission. A transfer period at the end of each season and mid season would be the most logical solution.
- A rookie draft was explored but highly unlikely as don't have a centralised system as in AFL.
- Increase the size of rosters to 36 including 6 rookies. This makes sense since many clubs exceed the current 25 man squad. I assume NRL funding will reflect this.
- Restrict players from playing NRL until the year they turn 19. A contentious issue but mainly bought about by recent deaths of young players.
- No player to be signed by agent until turns 17 and each club only allowed to sign 3 rookies. Assume these are part of the 6 rookies mentioned above.
- Restructure NYC into state based under 20 competition by 2018.
- Revamp and better resource Qld and NSW Cups to spread into more regions. Particularly applicable to NSW Cup.
- Reduce the number of 5 day turnarounds.
- Recommend 3 match ashes series.
- Australia not play test matches after World Cup year.
- Have a international window after season finishes rather then during season. Kangaroo tours to England and France could be resurrected again.
All clubs were consulted and given a right of reply to the discussion paper.
Replies
I like the idea of resurrecting the old England/France tours again. They were great back in the 80s and was disappointed when they abolished it. They should play against teams like Hull KR, Leeds etc and same with the Poms when they tour Aussie play teams like Brisbane, Melbourne, Parra, and whoever else. Love it. Love the other idea no player is allow to play NRL until they're 19/20. Good move. The AFL type of draft is a good idea a swell. Looks like they're pulling their fat fingers out ofn their fat arses and doing something good. Love the idea of touring Pommyland and Froggyville. Spreading NSW cup in country regional areas is great...Northern Rivers, North Coast, Riverina should all have teams in the NSW cup. Northern Rivers would be with the Tightasses, as well as North Coast while Riverina maybe with Newcastle (?).
The no agents for players under 17 is dangerous as it will give other codes a earlier crack at those players