Since the AFL’s season wrapped up on September 25 with Melbourne claiming the 2021 premiership, the code has still been dominating the headlines with the trade period all over the news.
With the AFL effectively adding an extra two months onto their season with both the trade period and the draft, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes this gives them a distinct advantage over the NRL whose headline making ability drops off at the conclusion of matches being played.
“To an effect, this is where the AFL has an edge on the NRL in the off-season,” Riccio said.
“They have their drafts, they have their trade windows, which helps the AFL stay in the news for fans and on the back pages of every paper in Victoria, WA and SA with AFL coverage.”
As a result, Riccio believes the NRL will look at creating a specific window for player movement – as opposed to the current free-for-all with signings – to generate and keep their fans interested for an extended period.
“This is where the NRL want to go with the opportunity to look at transfer windows to keep fans engaged through the off-season,” Riccio said.
“The interest in recruitment and player movement is so fascinating for fans, and if rugby league can have the focus and the discussion points on them for 12 months of the year, they will look at that.
“They are looking at that, the point of transfer windows.”
Currently, players can sign with rival clubs at any point as long as they’re out of contract or coming out of contract at the end of the following season.
Players without a deal for 2023 will be able to speak to opposition clubs from November 1 this year about their future.