Hugh McGahan: Time to overhaul the vexed NRL transfer system

Daly Cherry-Evans is problematic for Manly. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors coach Andrew McFadden talked earlier in the week about the need for a transfer window and it's something I have felt for some time.

The way transfers are being done now is getting out of hand. It's crazy that deals are stitched together often more than a year in advance and the player has to see out his time at his existing club.

The game has moved on and the NRL need to acknowledge that and move with the times.

There needs to be an improved transfer system and even a transfer window, perhaps some time in June when clubs can bring in new players because of injuries or holes in their roster.

A player who signs with a new club should also be allowed to leave if all parties agree.

This might require a transfer payment to be made to allow the existing club to agree to the deal but there's no point having a player who doesn't want to be there.

If a club digs their heals in and requires a player to stay, then they lose out on any potential transfer fee. They could actually be better off letting the player go.

Trent Merrin has already signed with the Panthers but could see out the rest of the season starting on the bench because the Dragons realise they have to move on and plan for the future. That's hardly ideal for any party. It would make clubs focus more on developing depth. Each club have under-20 and NSW Cup sides but it's questionable how much some clubs actually put into developing their own talent.

Manly are being faced with that now and the ongoing speculation over halves pairing Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran doesn't help. There has to be something wrong with Cherry-Evans because he's managed to get offside with everyone along the way. There needs to be some sort of agreement that sees him move to the Titans now.

Manly have until some time in June to try to renegotiate with him and convince him to stay. What's the point of that?

Foran consistently maintained he wanted his future sorted out by the start of the season but it's still dragging on. How does it take three or four months to sort out a deal?

Players need to acknowledge they are like pieces of meat.

They often talk about not wanting to move because of family reasons. Well, they should have to because they are being well paid for their troubles.

There's no loyalty any more so let's not pretend there is.

Similarly, the game has changed from 30 or 40 years ago so the rules need to change with it. The present ones around transfers are outdated.

Previously deals couldn't be done before June 30 but everyone knew they were being put together before that time.

Every club did it and then, amazingly, deals were done early in July.

That rule was dropped because it wasn't working.

The present system is still broken. It's time to fix it.