NRL 2022: Departing Eels Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali’i back current transfer system

While NRL coaches want the player transfer system changed, departing Eels forwards Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali’i have revealed the upside of keeping the status quo.

Eels players Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali'i. Picture: Justin Lloyd

While one of their Parramatta teammates thinks it is a bit “weird’’, departing Eels duo Isaiah Papali’i and Marata Niukore have backed the NRL’s current transfer system.

The pair made the comments after nearly 80 per cent of coaches polled by the Daily Telegraph wanted the system changed.

Papali’i and Niukore attracted headlines in the off-season when they agreed to deals with the Wests Tigers and Warriors respectively despite a season left on their deals at Parramatta.

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Teammate Reed Mahoney also signed with the Bulldogs while Ray Stone agreed to join the Dolphins, joining a growing list of players to commit their futures to rival clubs for 2023 before the start of the season.

The signing spree has led to fresh calls for a strict transfer window.

Eels players Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali'i will switch clubs in 2023. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Niukore, who inked a four-year deal with the Warriors in November, backed the current system.

“I am happy with where it is at the moment but, if they do have the transfer windows, I am sure there are some players who wouldn’t mind taking that,” Niukore said.

“That’s the good thing about the off-season — you are away from footy and you get to make decisions like that, which was a tough one.

“For myself, I like to knock it on the head so I can focus on other things.”

Papali’i was caught in a tug-of-war for his services between the Eels and the Tigers. Eventually, he opted to join the Tigers on rich three-year deal.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Departing Eels Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali’i back current transfer system