NRL to scrap round 13 rule

[Foordy]

THE “embarrassing” round 13 deadline is all-but dead with the NRL set to introduce new rules to make the Daly Cherry-Evans signing circus a thing of the past.

Under a new proposal, players will have a maximum 10-day cooling off period for any contract signed in the NRL.

Currently players have until round 13 to backflip on deals to join other clubs.

But, if the new rules are approved:

* A player may sign an extension of his contract with his existing club at any time;

* A player may sign with a new club only during the final year of his contract;

* A 10 business day cooling off period will apply to all contracts; and

* A club signing a player is prohibited from making an announcement until the cooling off period has expired.

Former Test halfback Greg Alexander labelled the round 13 deadline rule “embarrassing.”

“This (rule change) will stop what we have seen in recent years,” said Alexander. “I feel for Daly Cherry-Evans. He has become the poster-boy for the round 13 rule.

“The rule doesn’t do anyone any good — not the fans, not the game. It’s embarrassing and we don’t need it.”

Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods declared the rule changes would be a win for frustrated supporters.

“It’s a good thing for the fans, if you do sign a big name, you can now get happy early on,” Woods said.

NRL officials have listened to frustrated fans, who are fed-up with players signing contracts and then reneging before the round 13 deadline.

The Cherry-Evans saga continues, the Manly halfback still not revealing whether he will backflip and stay at Brookvale or honour his Gold Coast deal.

From now on, players can only sign with a new club during the final year of their contract.

“Obviously the round 13 clause was a contentious issue,” said Canterbury coach Des Hasler. “The NRL has moved to eradicate it.”

NRL head of football, Todd Greenberg, confirmed the round 13 rule had been scrapped.

An NRL statement read: “Instead, a contract signed with a rival club will be registered once a ten business day cooling off period expires.”

Greenberg admitted fans hated players signing with rival clubs and then backing out.

“I think everyone agrees it is unseemly to have months of speculation about whether a player is going to a rival club,” Greenberg said.

“Our view is a ten-day cooling off period is an acceptable solution for all involved.”

The new rules haven’t formally been implemented just yet but are expected to eventually be rubberstamped.

The NRL will hold further talks on the issue with Rugby League Players Association representatives to fine tune any late possible alterations.

Interestingly, a club cannot announce a new signing until after the cooling off period. That will preclude player managers using the media to shop around their client.

Greenberg said the proposal will be an “interim measure” until the release of a through game review by NRL head of strategy Shane Richardson.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-to-scrap-round-13-rule-and-replace-it-with-10-day-cooling-off-period-on-contract-signing/story-fniabjcr-1227379906270

These rules would be a good move, IMO.

It would get rid of this bullshit "6 month cooling off period" and stop all this speculation about the following year, when we have some good footy to talk about this year.

 

[Kimlo]

Best thing is clubs can't announce it until the cooling off period expires. Saves all the will he or won't he bullshit that's plagued so many signings.

 

[Morkel]

The only negative is that the signings are still likely to be leaked before the cooling off period expires, so the NRL will still have that headache to overcome.

I'd prefer the rule to be scrapped all together. At the moment it's a bargaining tool for player agents.

 

[Kimlo]

The only negative is that the signings are still likely to be leaked before the cooling off period expires, so the NRL will still have that headache to overcome.

I'd prefer the rule to be scrapped all together. At the moment it's a bargaining tool for player agents.

Not many care about leaked signings, it's when they're official and you have to wait months and months before it's actually official. It's a huge farce. 10 days is perfectly fine, there should always be a cooling off period in any contract, and 10 days is totally reasonable.

 

[Foordy]

most contracts have some form of cooling off period. 10 business days seems reasonable to me.

I also don't think player agents will be able to exploit it as easily. since the won't have 6 months to try and negotiate with the players existing club to squeeze more cash out of them

 

[Mr Fourex]

I don't think 10 days is reasonable at all. We've gone from a ridiculously long 6 mnths to a ridiculously short......2 weeks !! You get more of a cooling off period when you buy a 2nd hand car FFS !!

How hard is it for these clowns at NRL HQ to find a happy balance...??

Should be at least 30 days IMO.

 

[john1420]

I don't think 10 days is reasonable at all. We've gone from a ridiculously long 6 mnths to a ridiculously short......2 weeks !! You get more of a cooling off period when you buy a 2nd hand car FFS !!

How hard is it for these clowns at NRL HQ to find a happy balance...??

Should be at least 30 days IMO.

The cooling off period for a used car is 1 day (2 days in Sth Aus)

 

[gordjw]

I don't think 10 days is reasonable at all. We've gone from a ridiculously long 6 mnths to a ridiculously short......2 weeks !! You get more of a cooling off period when you buy a 2nd hand car FFS !!

How hard is it for these clowns at NRL HQ to find a happy balance...??

Should be at least 30 days IMO.

Two full weeks is plenty of time. And that's from the point you actually sign it. Before you sign it, there's unlimited time to wave it in front of Toovey's face to let him know you want a payrise.

 

[Foordy]

I don't think 10 days is reasonable at all. We've gone from a ridiculously long 6 mnths to a ridiculously short......2 weeks !! You get more of a cooling off period when you buy a 2nd hand car FFS !!

How hard is it for these clowns at NRL HQ to find a happy balance...??

Should be at least 30 days IMO.

If you need longer than 10 business days (or 12 days if you include weekends) to know whether the decision you have made to sign with a new club is the right decision for you and your family. Then you weren't ready to sign the contract in the first place

 

[Nashy]

If you need longer than 10 business days (or 12 days if you include weekends) to know whether the decision you have made to sign with a new club is the right decision for you and your family. Then you weren't ready to sign the contract in the first place

This. As stated above, terrible comparison with cars, as it's incorrect.

I don't think there should be any cooling off periods. There should be a part of the year where all this is done. Once you're signed, that's it.

 

[subsbligh]

Best thing is clubs can't announce it until the cooling off period expires. Saves all the will he or won't he bullshit that's plagued so many signings.

Good luck keeping these signings under wraps though.

 

[subsbligh]

This. As stated above, terrible comparison with cars, as it's incorrect.

I don't think there should be any cooling off periods. There should be a part of the year where all this is done. Once you're signed, that's it.

Exactly. You don't get buyer's remorse after a 6 month contract negotiation

 

[Kimlo]

Good luck keeping these signings under wraps though.

Doesn't bother me at all, what does is when there's big media conferences and a few months later the player backflips. This way when a club says X player has signed, he HAS signed. No more bullshit.

 

[Mr Fourex]

The cooling off period for a used car is 1 day (2 days in Sth Aus)

Yes....of course. My mistake

I was thinking of PeopleCare private health insurance.

https://www.peoplecare.com.au/About-health-insurance/Understanding-My-Membership/Cooling-Off-Period

 

[john1420]

Yes....of course. My mistake

I was thinking of PeopleCare private health insurance.

https://www.peoplecare.com.au/About-health-insurance/Understanding-My-Membership/Cooling-Off-Period

All good :takdir:

And I think the point made earlier is relevant - we have cooling off periods on contracts to protect the buyer from himself; because we can go into a car yard and fast talked into making a purchase we actually shouldn't

But with player contracts it's quite different - you and your manager negotiate for weeks or months prior to signing

Given that I would be happy without a cooling off period, but I accept the change as a very good step in the right direction :)