With Lachlan Galvin set to join the Bulldogs imminently, there are calls for mid-season player transfers to be banned by the NRL.
Galvin, who is expected to sign a three-year deal with the Bulldogs worth around $750,000 a season, will be free to turn out in Canterbury colours as soon as the contract is signed, given the transfer will be finalised before the June 30 deadline.
The 19-year-old could feature for the Bulldogs in their next game, on Monday, June 9, when they take on Parramatta, which would be coincidental for Galvin given he was also linked to the Eels.
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But journalist Paul Crawley has called on the NRL to put a stop to mid-season player movements, and wants them to limit player transfers strictly to the off-season.
“It happens all the time. It’s the biggest blight on the game and it has to be fixed,” Crawley said on NRL 360, of mid-season player transfers.
“This is how simple it is (to fix the problem). Don’t allow it.
“Who runs the game? Do the agents run the game? Do the clubs run the game? No they don’t. The NRL runs the game, the governing body runs the game.
“This is how easy it is. You sign a contract and you have 30 players in your squad, and usually they sign off on those guys by early rounds, make them play out the season at least.
“You know there’s going to be shenanigans in the off-season, and deals will be done, let that be the trade window, but for the duration of the season, keep the players at the club.
“Unless a club or an agent can come up with extenuating circumstances.
“If you stop players and clubs switching and changing and getting out of a deal, it’s very easy to stop, don’t allow it, don’t allow it until the off-season.”
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Meantime, Phil Rothfield has launched a stunning attack on Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould, over accusations Gould deliberately misled fans in relation to the club’s pursuit of Galvin, in his other prominent role as a pundit on Channel 9.
“I reckon he’s been seriously damaged credibility wise and his reputation has been severely damaged at Channel 9 over this,” Rothfield told his Off the Record podcast.
“I think the punters are awake to it and they are the lifeblood of every TV network that provides the ratings. I honestly think he’s been badly damaged and people won’t cop his bullsh** anymore.”
Rothfield slammed Gould over his appearance on Nine’s 100% Footy on Monday night, where he went toe-to-toe with SMH journalist Michael Chammas in a fiery television clash.
“Gus was talking his usual crap about not knowing this, not knowing that and trying to cover himself and I don’t think he did a very good job at it,” Rothfield added.
“When he says so clearly that Lachlan Galvin is not on our radar, if you’re not on the radar and if the goalposts move you’re still not on the radar. This crap about that he’s the best kid he’s ever seen is also so disrespectful to (Brad) Fittler, (Laurie) Daley and these guys.”
