Will Swanton and Adrian Proszenko put the game's biggest issues to a panel of experts, including NRL chief David Gallop.

The Sun-Herald: What are league's positives and negatives at the moment?

David Gallop: The celebrations around the centenary have allowed us to cherish the game's rich history, from the great moments to the legendary players, while fans have also been able to watch the modern game with freakish young talent - Greg Inglis's try at the Centenary Test is an example. The game continues to have debate about a range of issues but by and large we are in great shape in our 100th year - our new team is an outstanding success and our youth competition is a benchmark in Australian sport.

Test captain Cam Smith: The best thing is the evenness of the competition. There are no games where you are guaranteed two points. Every game is a tough, hard game and that's great for the fans, it's great for the players and it ensures the NRL is the best competition in the world. The biggest negative is the threat of losing our best players to rugby union and the English Super League. At the Storm we lost Matt King in his prime and now there's talk of Sonny Bill Williams and Mark Gasnier following. Something has to be done to keep our best players in Australia. You don't see too many rugby union players or Super League players coming to the NRL. It just isn't worth it to them financially.

SH: Are you concerned that moving games to Homebush Bay is alienating fans?

DG: Homebush offers comfortable transport access and financial rewards; suburban grounds offer great atmosphere, but standing up looking into the sun and queuing for food, drinks and the toilets can wear thin. Striking a balance is what we want to see. A few years ago we were not at a point where our crowds were big enough to have to make a choice.

(ANZ Stadium officials were given an opportunity to respond, but declined, citing an objection to the phrasing of the question.)

SH: What is being done to stop the game's elite from leaving the NRL? Can anything be done?

DG: From time to time some players will leave the game for other options. The necessity for maintaining a strict salary cap system has never been greater with the pressure from our leagues [clubs'] funding cuts hurting many clubs. Trying to make exceptions to the rules to cater for these threats is not the answer. The rules around third-party agreements have been relaxed, and while some players have secured them, they're not as easy to obtain as some would suggest. Our combination of the club comp and the Origin and Kangaroos makes our game here very attractive - it's the ultimate testing ground and the great players know that they need to cut the mustard here if they are going to be regarded as a champion.

Former Wallabies coach John Connolly on league defections: There are always going to be players wanting to take on a new challenge. One of rugby's advantages is the opportunity to travel and play overseas and experience a different culture. If you've achieved everything you can in rugby league, I can see some players entertaining the thought of playing overseas. The money on offer is also very appealing.

SH: Why are TV ratings on the slide and what are you doing about it?

DG: They are actually up in many areas; people in and around our game have a great habit of looking for negatives. The ratings for Friday night matches (particularly the live game) are growing in Sydney and Brisbane. Super Saturday is up by over 100,000. The Toyota Cup is rating beyond expectation, topping 100,000 for a game already. Origin I ratings were up in Sydney and nationally more fans watched than ever before.

Channel Nine director of sport Steve Crawley: While it is fair to say ratings for Nine's broadcast of club matches are down in Sydney, this week saw the highest-rating State of Origin figure since the OzTAM ratings system began in 2001. The audience numbers for the recent Test match between Australia and New Zealand were dramatically up on last year's game. The Brisbane figures are also up from last year, reflecting where the Queensland teams are on the ladder. Some of the Sydney teams that traditionally attract high ratings are sitting lower down the table - the blockbuster clashes have been a little light-on with some of these teams. With teams like the Panthers and West Tigers hitting form, we will find the situation fixing itself - as it always does in rugby league.

SH: Why are attendances down and what are you doing about it?

DG: That is a complete misconception created by a few poor crowds at individual matches. We are not only above last year but also above the figures at the same point in the record season of 2005. Home crowd averages are up at 13 clubs, and Sydney club crowds are up three per cent and Sydney average crowds are up at seven out of nine Sydney clubs.

Manly CEO Grant Mayer: Gate receipt-wise, we're on a par with last year. As a business, we are not unhappy with attendances. But we are aware of the need to be creative with how we promote the game and pitch it to the market. Petrol prices, mortgage rates - there are a lot of financial pressures on people.

SH: Which clubs should consider merging or relocating?

DG: We are not suggesting anyone specifically but clubs need to consider where they will be and make sure they are part of the future. We would like to see a club at the Central Coast but are not going to force a club to move.

SH: Will you allow mid-season player and coaching movement to continue?

DG: Without a draft, it is difficult to legislate against it. The old June 30 rule did not stop that type of movement and led to the game being the subject of ridicule every year as it was impossible to enforce. I much prefer that the dealings are out in the open and not done as "worst-kept secret". The problems that a draft creates, particularly in new markets, are being experienced by our competitors now, so that is not the answer. Fans want their team to be a chance and our system certainly creates that - as well as allowing local kids to represent their district.

Canberra CEO Don Furner, whose coach Neil Henry has signed with the Cowboys for next year: I'd like to see it all done in October, but everyone would have to agree not to break the rules. I understand the difficulties the NRL faces.

SH: What is the current state, and future, of rugby league in country areas?

DG: Many things are tough in the bush but we are growing at a healthy rate in most areas. Our Harvey Norman regional celebrations in 10 key areas are a way of saying thanks to bush footy and the enthusiasm around those events showed that there is plenty of passion for the game in the bush. Junior numbers are building and the country areas will continue to be the nursery they have always been.

Former Test forward, Cootamundra-based Les Boyd: They did a country tour at the start of the year. They haven't done one thing that was asked of them to help. They're not listening. They don't care. We've got some bloody hard workers out here in the bush. But it can't last forever if they keep ignoring us.

SH: Is loyalty dead in league?

DG: Not at all. A degree of movement is a natural by-product of a salary cap system. There are plenty of players who still play for one club. There has always been movement between clubs - Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote, Arthur Beetson and Bob Fulton all moved clubs - people tend to forget that. The real loyalty is the way the fans feel about their clubs.

Willie Mason: There is no loyalty. Good players are going to go if [the clubs] don't do the right things by you. It will be whatever suits the player. We're not really worried about fans or club loyalty because the clubs aren't loyal to the players if they aren't going that good. When the shoe is on the other foot, clubs are totally different. If you're playing shit, they throw you to the bush. It doesn't matter if you've been at the club for 10 years. Where's their loyalty to you? But if you're kicking arse, and are the grouse player in the comp and you want to go somewhere, they blow up. There's no loyalty. It's all crap. Players do what they want. They can choose to be loyal or they can go chase money and be happy.

SH: How do you think the NRL will look in 10 years?

DG: It will be different but the simplicity of our contest and the passion it evokes will endure. Our clubs will be in a strong position - we will be playing in new places and our rep program will be strong. I have great faith in how our game will look.

Dragons CEO Peter Doust: If clubs continue to participate but can't spend the salary cap, the Brisbanes and the Cowboys and the Melbournes will have it to themselves. The worst-case scenario is they'll be playing each other and no one wants to go and watch that.

SH: What do you think is the biggest issue facing the game?

DG: Certainly the current pressure on our Sydney clubs due to the government taxes is a major concern. Beyond that, the petty personal agendas and long-held grudges are a cause of frustration.

Rugby League Players' Association boss Matthew Rodwell: The ease with which clubs, having signed players to a contract, can then offload that player and find a replacement if they don't want the player any more, regardless of what their contracts say.

SH: Is it inevitable that some Sydney-based NRL clubs are going to die?

DG: Without a change to the current tax rate, the chance of some of them not making it is a very real one.

SH: How can cash-strapped clubs improve their finances?

DG: Clubs are already working with us to grow their membership, enhance game-day experiences and provide new merchandise. This will create more value for everyone involved. As the game grows, the NRL will be in a position to score further new commercial deals, which will flow through in increased grants to the clubs.

Eels boss Denis Fitzgerald: Membership is important. We can look at spreading our revenue and resources, and diversifying, but generally it involves hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions, to set up restaurants, health clubs, motels. It all involves a lot of capital.