Queensland Rugby League CEO Rohan Sawyer has publicly backed the NRL to move towards a draft system, much like the AFL.
There has been plenty of debate as to whether an NRL draft would work, with the main argument against being the players’ unwillingness to relocate so early in their careers.
Many coaches have argued that keeping young players in their hometowns around their own support systems is crucial to development on and off the field.
Sawyer noted that the AFL draft system is something that the NRL should consider to even the playing field of the teams.
“I’m a supporter of the draft system, it’s not often that I give the AFL too much praise, but they do some great stuff,” Sawyer said on SENQ Breakfast.
“I think it’s something we really seriously need to look at in Rugby League, I understand there are challenges where people live and with movement.
“I don’t think that’s any different in any sort of workplace, we have people who are fly-in workers, who at young ages as apprentices have to fly in and fly out for work.
“Obviously we have to look after the wellbeing of our players but to really get some talent equalisation, to put them into a system what is essentially a traineeship, I think a draft would be something really good to have a look at.
“Hopefully not only to equalise talent but to look at how we can make a true pathway at that junior level, where clubs don’t have to compete across trying to sign players at such young areas to keep them in their catchment, the merits of the draft allows people to have an even playing field.”
Although there has been no formal proposal as of yet for an NRL draft, the idea has previously been considered by NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and it's likely this will continue to become the forefront of the agenda for the ARLC and NRL.
Sawyer joined SENQ Breakfast to discuss Queensland Rugby League’s recent partnership announcement with the Global Institute of Sport - the world’s leading higher education institution in sport to enhance opportunities for its network of administrators, volunteers and players.
Thanks to a partnership between the QRL and GIS, Queensland members eager to access cutting-edge learning experiences can now apply for a discount on tuition fees
GIS is the leading destination for master’s degrees and professional education in sport, utilising a global network of industry leaders and elite stadium venues.
For further information visit https://gis.sport/au/