Why a trade period isn't the answer for the NRL

A few days of doing very little before all the relevant work is crammed into the last 24 hours.

Each year the same debate emerges around this time - should the NRL follow suit with a trade period of their own?

For a long time I thought the answer was a resounding yes. Why let the AFL enjoy all the attention in early November while the NRL is in hiatus (this year is an exception due to Origin being played for obvious reasons).

But after this year's AFL meat market, which has been seen very little happen and a couple of star players in the mix for a move - notably Collingwood's Adam Treloar - subject to constant speculation on their futures, I'm starting to have a rethink.

Instead of trying to get deals done while AFL media types in the background wax hypothetical in fairy tale land whether pick 35, a future second rounder and a fringe player is enough to lure a stalwart from a rival club, NRL teams can quietly go about their business.

The fanfare does keep the AFL in the public eye well after the final goal has been kicked for the season. Supporters check social media constantly for the latest updates, fantasising about who may be coming to their team.

But once it's done, it's done. The NRL's advantage is the speculation about player movement, which fans lap up and sells papers and gets clicks online for media, is a virtual non-stop circus.

Player movement has always been one of the biggest news cycles fans crave and I'm starting to lean towards it remaining a constant beast for the NRL as the best option publicity wise.

It's time for the media to stop playing doctor every time there's a high profile concussion incident in the NRL.

As soon as a groggy Cameron Munster came off early in Queensland's Origin clash with NSW on Wednesday, then was subsequently ruled out of the match, you knew what was coming next.

The Sydney media rushed straight to their typewriters to launch a "Munster can't possibly play in next week's decider" spiel after the Blues levelled the series with an emphatic victory.

Concussion has been a major issue for all football codes for some years, with the threats of litigation from players who experience symptoms after they retire a real problem for the game.

Head knocks aren't like a broken leg which usually has a consistent and specific time frame for recovery. The problems Blues skipper Boyd Cordner is experiencing is a prime example after he was ruled out for the rest of the series after copping a knock in game one.

It's a situation which could ultimately prematurely end the back rower's career. But just because the issue is at the forefront of everyone's minds as a result, it doesn't mean every player needs to take a holiday should they cop a knock.

Munster reportedly passed his HIA test, but because he was unsteady on his feet in leaving the field the call was made by the Maroons he wouldn't be returning.

There's the old Simpsons scene where a man wearing a white coat approaches one Marge's sisters with some pills and says "take these, these, and some of these".

Marge's sister replies "thanks doc", before he answers "oh, I'm not a doctor".

It's time for those of us without a medical degree framed on their wall at home to start sticking to our lanes when it comes to this particular issue.

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