The NRL needs to introduce a trade window, says Titans coach Neil Henry

TWO NRL teams worth of talent have been traded in the code’s most volatile off-season ever and club officials have warned — “It is only going to get worse”.

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TWO NRL teams worth of talent have been traded in the code’s most volatile off-season ever and club officials have warned — “It is only going to get worse”.

So far 35 players have signed with rival clubs since the NRL grand final and while stats are not kept on player signings it is widely considered a record for one off-season.

Several senior NRL club officials told The Courier-Mail the number of trades will continue to increase while Titans coach Neil Henry said the time had come for a trade window to halt the manic signing spree.

The number of trades will sail past the 40 mark by the time the season kicks off with names like Dale Copley, Michael Jennings, Tim Grant, Peter Mata’utia and Adam Reynolds being discussed among clubs executives.

The Titans are among several clubs wading through the trade market, losing talent such as James Roberts and signing former Maroons forward Chris McQueen.

Henry said a trade window or a version of it was needed.

“As long as the rules enable it to happen and there’s no trade window where it is fixed then these things will happen every year,” he said.

Gold Coast Titans coach Neil Henry says the NRL needs to introduce a trade window: Regi Varghese

“The (trade period) has been talked about and now it needs to be addressed by the game.

“The late movement and constant conjecture is destabilising for clubs and fans.

“At least the cooling off period around contracts is gone. Not that it helped us.”

Genuine stars such as Roberts, Matt Ballin, Tim Lafai, Will Hopoate, Martin Taupau, Peta Hiku and Dylan Walker have all been moved on by their own clubs since Johnathan Thurston nailed that golden point field goal in the NRL grand final.

In the majority of cases it is the clubs moving the player on rather than the player seeking a release.

“From now on it will only get worse. There will be constant movement and breaking of contracts from players and their clubs and this off-season is just a taste,” one NRL official said.

Henry still needs two outside backs and a prop to complete the Titans' top 25 by Round 1 in early March.

Henry said they were interested in Broncos centre Copley who could be playing for Norths Devils if he can’t source another club to take up his salary.

Dale Copley has been told to find a new club. Pic Annette Dew

Halfback Kane Elgey’s season-ending injury has shattered the Titans’ 2016 plans and adds yet another deficiency in their squad they need to amend.

However, Henry dismissed signing former prodigy Todd Carney or a marquee playmaker because they needed centres and a prop before they thought about another half.

The Titans were in line to sign St George Illawarra winger Mata’utia but he has re-signed with the Dragons.

“We have a few spots in our top 25 to fill and we are looking for a front-rower and centres are a spot open to try and recruit a couple of players for as well,” Henry said.

“Initially we will back the guys here. Ash Taylor and Tyrone Roberts are here but the back up after that is fairly thin.”

BEST YOUNG TALENT

THE Queensland Academy of Sport has named its annual under-20s rugby league squad and it features 11 Broncos contract holders.

Former Bronco prodigy and Roosters recruit Jayden Nikorima has also been named in what is a collection of the best teenage league talent from Queensland.

Included in the squad are young Broncos who are capable of cracking first grade this year in Keegan Hipgrave, George Fai and Elijah Alick.

Roosters player Jayden Nikorima has been named in the Queensland Academy of Sport under-20s rugby league squad of the year. pic Mark Evans

Wally Lewis’s nephew Lachlan has also been included.

The senior QAS squad will be named this month also in what will be new Maroons coach Kevin Walters first task.