Andrew Abdo acknowledges the need for reform in the ‘disruptive’ system following the contract controversies involving Brown and DCE.

The NRL’s chief executive Andrew Abdo has acknowledged the necessity for reforms in the league’s player transfer framework to prevent mid-season movements between clubs.

He put forward the idea of establishing designated trade windows, especially after high-profile players like Dylan Brown and Daly Cherry-Evans stirred attention this month with their intentions to switch clubs at the conclusion of the current season.

Brown, the five-eighth for the Eels, recently inked a mammoth 10-year contract to join the Knights in 2026. Meanwhile, Cherry-Evans, the captain of the Sea Eagles, ignited controversy by shockingly announcing he would not be representing Manly beyond this year.

While speaking with 2GB’s The Continuous Call Team, Abdo expressed that adjustments are necessary to curb the trend of players signing with competing clubs during the season.

“I’m not fond of the current system. It tends to disrupt the season,” he remarked.

“I’ve long advocated for — and previously tried negotiating with the players’ association — for a trade window at the end of the season for the upcoming year.

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“Of course, speculation will always be present, and there’s a keen interest in players’ next moves; it’s a professional environment and player transfers are expected. However, I simply disapprove of players negotiating so prematurely.”

“We’ve consistently maintained that if a player wishes to extend their current contract, they can do so at any time. But any club changes should occur outside of the season.”

As it stands under NRL regulations, players are allowed to sign with rival clubs starting from November 1 in the final year of their agreements.

Following the recent approvals of David Klemmer and Dylan Walker to exit their current clubs and quickly embrace new offers, Abdo was queried on how such arrangements could be curtailed.

He proposed that the implementation of trade windows could facilitate transfers, akin to the AFL’s trade periods.

“We could have two windows; one could occur mid-season, and another at the season’s end. This would create designated opportunities for transfers to transpire,” Abdo suggested.

“Clearly, when clubs and players are eager to part ways, it can be arranged. However, it should ideally take place in a more structured manner.”