Is that the reason why Chris Feather, once of the parish of Wakefield + Leeds + Bradford headed down under ?

My understanding is that the NRL own players image rights, this was a stumbling block with Inglis and his Souths deal.

Would he, though?

A standard legal way round the UK salary cap is for the image rights to be paid by a third party that cannot be shown to be connected with the club. Unlike in Oz, I do not believe there is a limit on such third party payments?

Like Stains seemingly did with Scully & Gillette. Like your lot seemingly did with Harris and Tissot, and I always presumed were going to likewise with some other "unconnected third party" to be able to fit him in under the cap when you supposedly intended to resign him . Like our lot did with Harris and Publico, until someone managed to demonstrate (or convince the RFL) that there was a supposed technical connection and thereby led to the Bulls' cap breach. (not trying to have a go anywhere there, just showing how it works).

As I understand it, image rights paid as part of a package from the club have been effectively killed off because of the HMRC investigations. Image rights paid for by an "unconnected third party" however remain alive and well.

So, if your wealthy club chairman/owner/sugar daddy happens to know of some "unconnected third parties" who can seriously top-up the fairly modest package your club is able to pay a marquee player, well you are in a position to assemble a squad earning far more than the salary cap.

Whether this explains some of the squads we see playing in SL right now, well only parties close to the matter can know for sure.

As for what these "unconnected third parties" get out of the deal, especially if they are the sort that do not seem to be taking much advantage of the player's image in their own marketing or whatever, well again only they will know for sure. I am sure none of them would be doing it as a favour to the wealthy club chairman/owner/sugar daddy, who sees them right in other ways, since that would be operating totally outside of the spirit of the cap, and surely no club would sanction that. Would they?

burgess has been named in the souths 17 for the game against cronulla at the weekend www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=21450

burgess has been named in the souths 17 for the game against cronulla at the weekend www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=21450

What is going on at Souths? If he can walk into the side after no induction period I might have a go. It can't be that hard.

I think the NRL is a myth.

ssshh, don't ruin the illusion

He was always going to.

Yeah the NRL is so weak. I mean there are sooo many RL competitions that are heaps stronger...

It's not as if Souths are a top team. He's only in the 17 because Dave Taylor is out. And that's on top of his brother, Asotasi, Stuart and Geddes all out injured. If they were all fit he'd be lucky to make the starting side for Norths.

you're right, he's gash.

So why sign him on such a long term contract? He's barely good enough for SL, he's not a patch on his brother?

Is Ryan Tandy still winning Grand Finals over there?

Wrong. As a Souths contracted player, if he goes back to reserves, he's automatically be a first choice pick for Norths. That's the arrangement they have. A Norths contracted player will make way. Sorry your "have a go at the pom" comment got blown out of the water with fact and not assumption. He won't be "lucky", he's guaranteed.

how ignorant of ECT not to know that......

So he would be "lucky" to make the Norths side then. Lucky in that they have this agreement that favours Souths players regardless of form or ability. And in any case, if there are more than two Souths contracted props playing for Norths, as may well be the case if everyone was fit, how could more than two make the starting side?

There are a lot of haters out there. I think he will prove you wrong.