The NRL will consider salary cap exemptions for clubs who have players stood down for behavioural reasons on a case-by-case basis as it begins to usher in its new off-field laws.
Under the NRL's new policy, clubs could lose players for the duration of court cases if they are facing more than 11 years in jail after being charged or if the league considers a matter serious enough.
There had been speculation in the build up to Thursday announcement that affected clubs would be given automatic relief, but the ARL Commission has instead opted to make it available if deemed appropriate by the NRL.
St George Illawarra could become the first club to test the system, after NSW State of Origin lock Jack de Belin was stood down on Thursday after pleading not guilty to a sexual assault charge.
"There won't be an automatic relief of salary cap of the club involved, but the club may apply to the salary cap auditor for relief which will be considered on a case-to-case basis," ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie said.
"One of the issues that may be considered as part of that will be what the club has done in terms of cultural change to make certain that it is maintaining community standards."
There are a number of complications surrounding such a scheme, which would effectively allow clubs to have a 31st man in their roster when granted an exemption.
Most notably, it's unclear how the system could work if a player is acquitted and returned to their squad mid-season.
It's also understood some club bosses are split on the matter.
While some privately believe it is unfair to offer clubs monetary relief in the case of off-field behaviour, others are happy for exemptions to be offered to have the matter resolved.
Realistically there are questions over how many clubs would be able to take up such exemptions out of their own pockets, given the payments would not be covered by additional NRL grants.
"There's a number of things we will have to consider," Greenberg said.
"We can't just simply say yes to salary cap relief because quite frankly some clubs can't afford it.
"So there will be some clubs if this happens to them they simply won't apply for it.
"But the short answer is we'll be looking at it favourably for those clubs who are looking at it."
