The NRL wants to make sure there will be no repeat of the Daly Cherry-Evans contract saga after announcing it would scrap the round 13 rule.
The game's governing body is proposing to replace it with a 10-day cooling off period for any new contract but is waiting for support from the players' union to give it the green light.
The round 13 rule allows any player that has signed for another club for the next season to go back on their word and re-sign with their current club before a mid-year deadline.
It has long been the bane of fans and clubs alike and NRL head of football Todd Greenberg described it as unseemly and an unwanted distraction.
This year Manly playmaker Cherry-Evans has been the source of constant speculation that he would backflip on a deal to join the Gold Coast for next season.
The rule came under fire last year when Wests Tigers fullback James Tedesco used it to back out of a $1.9 million deal with Canberra.
"I think it's unacceptable for the fans and it's not a good look for the game," Greenberg said.
"We think (the 10-day cooling off period) is pragmatic, sensible and a good outcome."
The 10-day cooling off period will be implemented following approval from the Rugby League Players Association.
The RLPA said it would consult with its members and hoped to give feedback to the NRL by early next week.
The new rule would stipulate that a player can sign with a new club only in the final year of his contract, barring players from signing two years in advance.
Therefore, a player would only be able to begin negotiating for the 2017 season after November 1, 2015. Under NRL rules the new season begins on November 1 the preceding year.
A club would also be prohibited from announcing a player signing until after the cooling off period.
Manly chairman Scott Penn said he would support any new measures as long as all clubs were on a level playing field.
He said the Cherry-Evans speculation had been a distraction for the club this year and he would be happy to see the round 13 rule go.
"It's been very difficult for the club, there's no question," Penn said.
"We were always in a difficult position with two high-profile players coming off contract."
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