Coaching great and one of the best minds in rugby league, Roy Masters, believes it is time for the NRL to green light official transfer windows to ‘alleviate frustration’ for fans, clubs and players.

“An unofficial transfer window exists anyway,” Masters wrote for The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Only one player who signed for 2020 with another club remained at his existing club during the 2019 season.

“Storm second-rower Joe Stimson signed with the Bulldogs but Melbourne would not release him because they needed cover in the back row.

“All other players who signed elsewhere before the June 30 frenzy were allowed to leave.

Transfer windows provide certainty for clubs and players and alleviate fan frustration. Dedicated periods, such as November 1 until the end of January, as well as a shorter mid-season window at State of Origin time, allow movement and diminish the angst of fans over prolonged speculation a favourite player will leave.”