Robinson not keen on NRL transfer window

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has come out in disagreement with fellow NRL coaches, saying a transfer window would not be healthy for the game.

Sydney Roosters NRL coach Trent Robinson

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has come out in disagreement with fellow NRL coaches. (AAP)

Trent Robinson has broken the mould of fellow NRL coaches, insisting a transfer window would not be healthy for the league.

The Sydney Roosters mentor is embroiled in the middle of the huge NRL market this season, with a number of high-profile players - including James Tedesco - linked to his club.

Veteran Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett and defending premier Shane Flanagan have both called for the window in recent weeks, as speculation spirals out of control.

But while Robinson, who is on the NRL's competition committee, admitted it wasn't ideal for clubs, he believed such headlines were good for the game.

"I think the interest in the game is good," Robinson said.

"Talking about rugby league is important and us talking about speculation is good.

"When you're involved around the speculation ... that gets frustrating. But if you want to keep interest in the game, you've got to deal with it."

Instead, Robinson blames the game itself for the current situation off the field.

While Jack Bird's future was on Thursday seemingly resolved at Brisbane, there remains more than 200 games of State of Origin experience off-contract for next year.

Fixing it, Robinson says, could have happened if the NRL and Rugby League Players' Association agreed to a salary cap figure for next season.

"It would've helped 12 months ago," he said.

"That would have really helped and it would have been able to stagger a lot of the contracts that we're talking about now.

"We've created that and the teams are the ones that have to deal with it. It's part and parcel of our game."

The Roosters have been closely linked with off-contract Wests Tigers fullback Tedesco, with a suggestion he had been offered up to a five-year deal.

Tedesco last week criticised his own club, and said the professional nature of two clubs which were chasing him - the Roosters and Canterbury - was tempting.

But Robinson refused to be brought into the discussion surrounding his future on Thursday.

"If you go into every single (rumour) then it does destabilise," Robinson said.

"It's not trying to keep secrets, it's just not the best thing for our club to comment on recruitment."

Robinson's views on the transfer window echo that of NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg.

Greenberg said last week that he was open to discussion regarding a transfer period, but did not believe the players would be in favour of it.

"We're a sport that dominates headlines - I think that's a good thing, not a bad thing," Greenberg said.


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Source: AAP



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