The NRL's long-running salary cap saga is a step closer to a resolution, with the league to offer a figure of $9.4 million to the Rugby League Players Association on Friday for next season.
Representatives from the NRL and all 16 clubs unanimously agreed to the figure at a high-powered meeting in Sydney on Thursday, which will have serious ramifications for a number of club's rosters next year.
The figure includes a base cap of $9.2 million for each club's top 30 players, plus an optional $200,000 allowance for veteran players and development.
The proposed cap is a significant increase on this year's base of $7.1 million, which covers the top 25 players in each squad.
After Friday's collective bargaining agreement meetings, players will then convene on Monday to make a decision on whether to sign off on the deal.
"This is an important step but we are still in negotiations with the RLPA," NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said.
"Getting the clubs to agree on a package is very important for the game and especially the players."
Representatives from the 16 franchises met before the scheduled sit-down with the NRL on Thursday morning, where clubs remained divided on the figure they wanted offered to the players' union.
It's understood Canterbury, Canberra, Cronulla, St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters indicated their desire for a figure of $9.6 million, as they struggle to fit their roster into next year's budget.
Meanwhile rival clubs - including the Wests Tigers, Manly, Melbourne Newcastle and Parramatta - demonstrated their preference that the figure should sit at $9.2 million.
Eventually, after an NRL presentation and open discussion, the clubs and the league agreed to meet at an offer of $9.4 million.
"It's a great outcome for everyone," Canterbury chairman Ray Dib said.
"We're all united, we're all one now.
"We are very happy with it, it's close to what we wanted."
Dib refused to say whether it will save the Bulldogs from having to sell a number of players to fit under the figure, ahead of the arrival of Aaron Woods and Kieran Foran for next season.
"That's something we'll consider," he said.
While the chairs maintained a united front outside the meeting, Wests Tigers boss Marina Go suggested the discussions had not been as like-minded.
"It was a tough negotiation for us, but it is a good outcome for the sport but best of all for the players," Go responded when asked if she was disappointed the figure had risen.
"The clubs will be fine, we'll make it work."
The figure will now form part of wider-ranging discussions with the RLPA, where they must also agree to a number of other player benefits before signing off on the CBA.
But the clubs are confident it will be cleared.
"Honestly, it's such a good deal they have to accept it really," Go said.
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