NRL chief executive David Gallop will today propose a two-strikes-and-you're-out policy for players who take recreational drugs - a compromise between the zero-tolerance attitude of some clubs and the three-strikes approach preferred by others.

The issue of what action should be taken against players who return positive results to in-house drugs tests is on the agenda at today's CEOs' conference on the Gold Coast. All clubs agree the NRL needs a uniform policy but a number remain opposed to the softening of penalties. Some interstate clubs, such as North Queensland and the Gold Coast, have zero-tolerance policies but the majority of Sydney clubs prefer the three-strikes option.

Gallop told the Herald he would push for a two-strikes policy and the Players' Association is proposing a modification of the three-strikes policy used by the AFL that sparked legal action after the Herald obtained the names of three players who had tested positive twice for recreational drugs.

"That's [zero tolerance] our existing policy, with a parachute clause offering the player the option of contract termination or a substantial fine," Gold Coast executive director Michael Searle said yesterday. "We still support having a uniform policy across the NRL but we want it to be a strong one."

The push to have all clubs operate under the same rules follows the Cowboys' sacking of prop Mitchell Sargent after he tested positive to cocaine. It was Sargent's first drugs offence.

Players at rival clubs are known to have escaped with fines or warnings but Cowboys chief executive Peter Parr said his club believed it took the right action.

"We'll go into the meeting with an open mind in the hope of coming up with one policy across the NRL but it's fair to say that we think it's a little lenient at the moment," Parr said.

However, Rodwell hopes some undisclosed amendments made to the RLPA's proposal at a meeting earlier this week will sway all clubs to support the three-strikes policy.

"Let's just get a policy in place and if it needs to be refined down the track, then let's refine it then," Rodwell said.

Gallop said he wasn't sure if an agreement would be reached before the start of the season.

"I think there is a long way to go yet," Gallop said. "Clearly, there are people that feel three strikes is too many but the premise of having uniformity among our clubs is a sound one, so we need to thrash it out tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Mark O'Meley's choice of club could have a major bearing on the future of South Sydney's David Fa'alogo - and possibly the Test prop's Bulldogs teammate Hazem El Masri.

With O'Meley expected to leave Belmore, Bulldogs officials have already approached Fa'alogo's management about him switching clubs next season.

"We'll wait for the first couple of rounds and see what's happening with Mark O'Meley," Fa'alogo's manager, Gavin Orr, said. "If he decides not to stay, there's an opportunity at the Bulldogs. They're more than interested in David."

Fa'alogo is weighing up an offer from Souths, although Orr said it was still a "fair way" from what the 26-year-old believes he is worth. Manly are also understood to be on the trail as they look to find a long-term replacement for retired back-rower Ben Kennedy.

El Masri is also considering his future after being offered just a one-year contract by the Bulldogs. Asked if he would consider leaving the club, El Masri last night told Channel Nine: "It's not about money. It [the offer] is about the same or less than I'm currently on. For me, it's the one-year deal."

And Melbourne are considered the team to beat by rival captains, with Brisbane skipper Darren Lockyer saying last year's grand-final loss to the Broncos would only spur the Storm on further.