THERE'S plenty of talk in rugby league at the minute regarding the introduction of a marquee player rule.
The idea, tabled by Salford owner Marwan Koukash, is to allow Super League clubs a Willie Wonka style Golden Ticket which clubs can cash in to sign a player who will be exempt from the salary cap.
I've seen different interpretations of how this could work, with one suggestion being up to £100,000 of that player's wages would be included on the cap but the rest exempt.
Whichever way you dress it up, I don't feel it is the way forward for our sport. I'm all for looking at alternatives to keep our best players in Super League, but I'd rather we looked at an avenue that also makes sure we keep the best English players here too.
One alternative could be to look at central contracts which they currently have in rugby union, and in cricket with the England national teams.
I'd be all for the RFL paying a percentage of a player's salary, because what that does is enables the clubs to still have the resources to keep the best players – but also benefits the national game and rewards players who want to play for England and stay in Super League.
I feel it is a better idea than opening the market for clubs to pay huge salaries to players from overseas.
At present, a number of Super League clubs don't even spend to the salary cap maximum, so by providing rich owners with an option of spending even more money all we are doing is increasing the gulf between the clubs.
A central contract would also benefit those clubs not flush with cash, but ones who are run properly and bring through international players.
It's just one alternative and I'm sure there are many more out there to be considered.
I'm all for looking at options, but we need to make sure we have one which benefits the whole game.
I hope two refs idea isn't just a fadTHE RFL have been testing the use of two referees at games in recent weeks, with one of Hull's under-19s games used as a practice.
I hear it is something the NRL, who have had it for a couple of years now, are thinking of abandoning, but it looks like it could be coming to these shores.
If it does, I hope the RFL stick with their plan and give the system three or four years before making a judgement on whether it works or not.
Speaking as a Super League player, if there is one thing that we find most difficult about the game, it is the constant changing of the rules.
I actually spoke to Phil Bentham about the subject while waiting at Barcelona airport for our flight home.
I mentioned an incident in the game with Catalan the day before which Phil said he couldn't see clearly enough.
Having help to police the ruck would be welcome and would speed the game up.
But if we go down this route, let's not make it a fad but something that's been well-considered and is given a chance.
