EXCLUSIVE: Billy Slater 'not against' mid-season transfer window amid latest contract saga
Billy Slater has admitted a mid-season transfer window could be an option for the NRL after the latest high-profile contract saga.
The past fortnight has been absolutely dominated by Lachlan Galvin's decision to leave the Wests Tigers at the end of his current deal.
But the issue isn't that the teenage sensation is departing - it's the fact he has made the decision 18 months in advance that has left many scratching their heads.
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Galvin's deal runs through until the end of 2026 with the Concord-based club, but has already told Shane Richardson and Benji Marshall he won't be staying put.
Multiple rival teams have already been linked with the 19-year-old, despite the fact he can't technically speak to or sign with them until November this year.
Lachlan Galvin has become the talk of the rugby league world. Getty
Speaking on Nine's Billy Slater Podcast, the legendary fullback and current Maroons coach was quizzed about the potential for an overhaul to the current contract system an whether implementing a mid-season window for players to move clubs would work.
"Maybe - I'm not against it," Slater said.
"I definitely think at the moment that things are too long, we are looking too far ahead.
"You look at the Lachie Galvin situation - he's making a decision on his future 18 months prior to his contract expiring. There's a decision made around him not being at the Tigers, but he can't talk to another club for six months.
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"If the Tigers win the comp this year and then they go and win the comp again next year, I guarantee you Lachie Galvin will want to stay.
"We're making decisions way too prematurely and I think that needs to be reduced.
"Whether it's a transfer window or what not, the timeframe from when players are making decisions about their future and when they are leaving the club, is far too great."
It has become commonplace in recent years for players to be in on team's colours for an entire 12 months, despite knowing full well they wouldn't be sticking around.
Jarome Luai won a premiership in his final year at Penrith. Getty
On some occasions - see Jarome Luai at the Panthers or Zac Lomax at the Dragons - it works out fine, but there have been countless examples of things going the other way.
Slater also offered his advice to young stars such as Galvin, who become hot property early in their careers and start to see the money on the table and immediately want it.
"We're making decisions on players' futures way too early," he said.
"The one advice I have for all young football players is that if you play good football, the contract will come. Whether it's 50 grand or 100 grand more, it doesn't really matter at the end of your career - if you play good enough football, you're gonna get paid well.
"Just put your head down, play some good football and don't worry about that until you need to worry about it. We are far too early to worry about it in players' contracts."
