Any NRL transfer model will 'have hairs on it': Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner

Canberra Raiders chief executive Don Furner said there was no perfect answer to the player movement in the greatest game of all.

The topic's back in the spotlight as Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett continues to try to lure the competition's top talent north for when they enter the NRL next year.

Bennett met with Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga recently, sparking anger and debate about the current system - where players can sign with other clubs with a year left on their current contract.

There's been talk the NRL was considering introducing a transfer window, but Furner was yet to see any details.

The NRL's reportedly looking at a range of options from an end-of-season trade period, like they have in the AFL, to multiple windows throughout the year.

But even the introduction of a transfer window wouldn't stop players and their managers from talking to clubs throughout the year. And it wouldn't stop the speculation.

"We haven't seen any proposal yet so it's hard to comment on," Furner said.

"We're happy to look at everything. People often say the system's broken or this date's no good, but very few people come forward with a better model.

"Maybe this is, we'll have a look at it. Every time, every date, every model for contracting has hairs on it."

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Meanwhile, the Raiders have extended their agreement with the Wagga Wagga council to play home games in the Riverina.

They face the Melbourne Storm there on Saturday - the third time they've played a home game there.

The Raiders are allowed to play two home games every five years away from Canberra Stadium as part of their agreement with the ACT government.

They'll be back there again in 2023 after they finalised a deal with the council on Thursday.

"The Raiders' continued commitment to Wagga Wagga reflects the strong partnership between the club and the city which had the potential to grow," mayor Dallas Tout said.

"This will be the fourth time in five years that residents of our city and the surrounding region will have the opportunity to watch the Green Machine play one of their NRL games here.

"It is fantastic news for both rugby league fans and for Wagga Wagga as a whole.

"These sorts of events deliver major flow-on effects for local businesses who can capitalise on the visitors to our city."

The Raiders were meant to play there in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic pushed it back until last year.

Their trip to Wagga Wagga this weekend is one of three games in the country this season, having already played in Mudgee and they'll head to Dubbo later in their campaign.

"We pride ourselves as the NRL's regional club and we can't wait to come back to Wagga Wagga again next year and continue what has been a great relationship," Furner said.

NRL ROUND FIVE

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Wagga Wagga, 3pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Semi Valemei, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joe Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Elliott Whitehead (c). Interchange: 14. Matt Frawley, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 18. Xavier Savage, 19. Ryan Sutton, 20. James Schiller, 21. Harry Rushton, 22. Jarrod Croker, 23. Trey Mooney, 24. Peter Hola.

Storm squad: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Nick Meaney, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenny Bromwich, 13. Josh King. Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Alec MacDonald, 16. Trent Loiero, 17. Tepai Moeroa. Reserves: 18. Tyran Wishart, 19. Chris Lewis, 20. Marion Seve, 21. Jayden Nikorima, 22. Jordan Grant, 23. William Warbrick, 24. Sualauvi Faalogo.

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