More Debate Over Anti-tampering
By
DANIEL PACE
AAP - 15/7/2004
A 16th franchise will be
forced to field a "reserve grade" side unless the NRL grants it a
dispensation to negotiate with off-contract players before next year's
proposed October anti-tampering deadline.
The idea of pushing back the June 30 deadline to the day after the NRL
grand final will be discussed at a chief executives' meeting at the end
of this year.
If approved, it would prove disastrous for any new franchise, which
would have only a few weeks to recruit players before pre-season
training starts.
Gold Coast consortium director Michael Searle has spoken to NRL chief
executive David Gallop about the 16th franchise being granted special
leave to approach off-contract players from July, 2005.
Such a move would undoubtedly face stiff opposition from existing NRL
clubs, which would get second bite at the cherry after the 16th team.
But when asked about a dispensation, a non-committal Gallop said: "I'm
not sure at this stage. It's something to be considered."
The Central Coast, Wellington and favourite the Gold Coast are in the
race to enter the NRL competition from 2006, with a decision likely in
August.
"They'll need some kind of dispensation, otherwise they'd be fielding a
reserve grade side, if that," said player-manager Mike Newton, who
negotiated Ben Kennedy's move from Newcastle to Manly.
Searle said the denial of a special dispensation to the 16th team would
make recruitment more difficult but "we'll jump through the hoops we're
given to jump through".
"We'd prefer a level playing field but I would imagine there might be
some kind of concession to say if it was a post-October trade date that
the new licence may be able to go on the market in July perhaps,"
Searle said.
"If there's no dispensation, what it means for us is we just have to
assemble a side a lot quicker."
Russell Tate, a member of the Central Coast consortium led by
high-profile Sydney businessman John Singleton, said it would be "tough
but not impossible" to forge a competitive side in just "six weeks".
"I certainly hope that's not imposed on us or, if we're not successful,
anyone else," said Tate.
Newton and fellow player-manager Allan Gainey believe the NRL will
reject the push to shift the anti-tampering deadline.
"It's a furphy - the players won't let it happen," said Gainey, who
manages the Dolphins' key target Preston Campbell.
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