Melbourne Storm star Ryan Hoffman supports introduction of NRL draft

Hoffman told SEN1116 radio that he supported the idea of a draft in the NRL.

Melbourne Storm star Ryan Hoffman says he supports an NRL draft if the governing body decides to introduce it into rugby league.

The 30-year-old spoke to SEN 1116 radio on Tuesday where he told of his support of a system similar to the AFL’s draft model, where young playing talent is spread across the competition.

“I follow my American sports quite closely and I love the way the draft works over there, we’ve got the model in Australia with the AFL so there’s a perfect model to follow,” Hoffman said.

“I’m a big fan of the draft, I like the fact that it spreads talent across the competition and it also keeps the game in the spotlight throughout the off season as well.

“One of the main concerns with it is we have a very strong tradition in rugby league in having local juniors producing local kids to come through the comp (competition).

“I like the fact the NRL have also floated the idea of having five players from each junior area exempt from the cap so they can come through their local organisation or the local organisation has first dibs at them so to speak.

“I reckon that would be a good way to transition the game into having a draft.”

Hoffman first supported the idea yesterday on Twitter.