The new Wests Tigers board made a smart move by appointing Jason Taylor as coach this week.

Earlier reports had suggested the club wouldn't name a replacement for Mick Potter for up to a month.

That could have been catastrophic for the Tigers' 2015 campaign if the players were forced to wait until the end of October to find out who would be leading them next year.

The board needed to fill the gap as soon as possible and it has allowed Taylor enough time to nut out a full preseason plan for the team.

He was always a good player and his footy smarts will hold him in good stead.

Taylor has a crop of talented young players at his disposal and I think he is the right man to lead the club into a new era.

Guys like Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks have bucketloads of raw talent but they need the right coach to realise their potential.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the next three years brings.

Awards need polish

THE NRL was spot on the money with its Dally M winners but the annual presentation night is far from perfect.

No-one could argue with Johnathan Thurston and Jarryd Hayne splitting the medal.

Both players have enjoyed massive seasons with their respective clubs.

But I was left a bit annoyed at the way the NRL presented the night in general.

The naming of the "team of the year" positions was rushed and didn't pay enough credit to the players.

I would have liked the individual announcements to be spread out a bit and maybe some footage of each player shown when he was called on stage.

It's also strange that a player can poll more Dally M votes than another, but miss out on making the team of the year in their respective position.

Still, you can't take anything away from the winners.

Timing all wrong

IT'S time to get something off my chest.

I've got a pet hate and I want to let everyone know about it.

The NRL needs to clamp down on mid-season player movements between clubs.

Too often I pick up the newspaper and read about someone signing a new contract with this or that club.

Switching clubs is fine, but it's the timing that annoys me.

A lot of players these days are inking new deals behind closed doors while still contracted to their current club.

It leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

The days of club loyalty might be gone but there still needs to be pride in the jumper every time a player runs on to the field.

How can you focus on giving 100 per cent during a game when in the back of your mind you know you won't be playing with these teammates next season?

It's just strange to watch a guy running around for one team, knowing he will be training with a different team a month later.

It's not good for the players, fans or the game.

How are the fans supposed to feel? We all love watching our team play each week but it can put a real dampener on the experience when one of your favourite players has just signed with someone else.

What the NRL needs to do is put a stop to mid-season signings.

Similar to the AFL, we should introduce a transfer window in the off-season where clubs can chase all the players they want.

Of course, clubs are going to talk to managers during the season anyway, but hold off on actually signing anything until after grand final day.

Mid-year contract deals can really take the shine off the actual football.

A transfer period in October or November would also give us supporters something to get excited about over summer.

It would almost stretch the NRL season out an extra month or two.

As well, it would help keep NRL on the back pages during the quieter months.

Mid-season signings are becoming a blight on our game.