Still smarting from Kalyn Ponga’s defection to Newcastle, North Queensland coach Paul Green believes an NRL transfer window may stop fans becoming “disengaged” due to players signing with a rival club a season in advance.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg this week said he was open to discussing a trade window with players after Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett led renewed calls for change.

Green backed the move, saying a transfer window may avoid fans becoming disillusioned by players signing with a rival club with a year still left on their current contract, a situation Green knows all too well.

Ponga rocked the Cowboys when he announced in the pre-season he would sign a lucrative four-year deal with Newcastle from 2018.

Bennett’s Broncos were also left reeling when halfback Ben Hunt revealed he would link with St George Illawarra on a $6 million, five-year deal next season.

“I think that needs to be looked at in the game,” Green said.

“When you see players in the pre-season in particular signing for another club before we have even kicked a ball – I don’t think that is a good look for the game.

“I think some fans feel a bit disengaged.

“I think a better way to handle it would be to look at a transfer window.”

The player market has become a hot topic with speculation surrounding departing Melbourne half Cooper Cronk and the Wests Tigers’ big four dominating headlines.

It prompted Bennett to claim five-eighth Anthony Milford was distracted by contract talk, and implored the league to find another way.

Green said he would feel for the fans until a better system was found.

“They want to support their team but they are not sure how to support guys individually knowing they are going to be playing for someone else,” he said.

“No one likes supporting a team knowing one of their star players is going to be playing for someone else.

“I don’t think that engages anyone.”

Green said the transfer window had the potential to become a spectacle in its own right.

“I think it probably could work. There would have to be a few rules around it but I think it would create a bit of interest from the fans’ point of view as well,” Green said.

“I am sure TV would love to get a hold of it (like) you see draft day in the NFL.

“I think there could be a bit of excitement around it – it could be good for the game.”