Loyalty is dying in rugby league with the number of one-club NRL players dwindling from season to season.

The business side of the game means players are constantly on the move in search of bigger and better deals, while clubs are willing to chop and change their roster to land the next big star.

In theory, the salary cap evens out the playing field, but consequently it could have brought about the demise of the one-club player.

Every Test, ODI & T20I live, ad-break free during play and in 4K. Only on Foxtel. Get 1 month free Sport HD plus Entertainment with no lock-in contract and no iQ4 box fee. T&C apply. SIGN UP NOW!

Round 20

Here we have compiled the list of current one-club players in the NRL, with a minimum of 100 first grade games and/or 10 years of service.

By comparing the current one-club players to the number since the NRL era began in 1998, we can see which clubs foster loyalty and who has been forced to make cuts to get success.

The most notable part of the research is there are several players who are on track to meet the criteria who have been linked to a switch for next season.

MORE NRL NEWS

‘HINDY, YOU’RE A FLOG’: SLEDGES, LEGENDS AND TINA TURNER RELIVE THE DAYS OF OLD

REPORT: BRONCOS COOK UP PLOT TO LINK SOUTHS STAR WITH SEIBOLD

CLIFFY, HINDY AND HOPPA’S OLD TRICKS: LEAGUE LEGENDS BLOW OUT THE COBWEBS

COOL RUNNINGS! JAMAICA BEAT USA TO QUALIFY FOR 2021 RLWC

One-club players are rare, but in the high-finance state of business and success, NRL franchises are getting more ruthless in the way they go about building a roster.

Many factors make a player want to remain at a team, and likewise for the club to be willing to retain their talent.

Success is a huge measure, but also facilities, culture, family commitments and form.

With the help of Fox Lab, we’ve ranked each club by their ability to retain and promote loyalty from their players today compared to the entire NRL era.

*denotes a player being linked to move to another club

1. ROOSTERS

Mitchell Aubusson is set to finish his career a one club man. Source: Getty Images

Current: Six: Mitchell Aubusson (263), Jake Friend (238), Boyd Cordner (149), Isaac Liu (134), Daniel Tupou (134), Dylan Napa (122)*

NRL era: Seven: Anthony Minichiello (302), Luke Ricketson (301), Adrian Lam (146), Ryan Cross (143), Simon Bonetti (142), Chris Flannery (126), Adrian Morley (113)

Analysis: So often the whipping boys for teams who fail to produce their own and merely buy players, the Roosters actually have the most current one-club players in the competition with six. Skipper Boyd Cordner looks certain to finish his career at the Roosters, so too co-captain Jake Friend and Mitchell Aubusson. Dylan Napa has been linked to a move to the Bulldogs, while Isaac Liu and Daniel Tupou are well-placed to be one team men.

2. RABBITOHS

Current: Six: John Sutton (309),* Sam Burgess (163), Adam Reynolds (158), George Burgess (137)*, Tom Burgess (118)*, Alex Johnston (107)*

NRL era: Four: Jason Clark (169), David Tyrell (155), Scott Geddes (125), Ben Lowe (117)

Analysis: Sam Burgess is odds on to finish his career at the Rabbitohs after signing a five-year deal this season. His brothers Tom and George face an unknown future with Wayne Bennett set to join the club. Alex Johnston is being chased by the Sharks and wants to play fullback, despite the Rabbitohs signing promising Broncos’ No.1 Corey Alan. John Sutton is still unsigned for 2019 and may have to move to another club if he wants to continue his career, while points machine Adam Reynolds has the potential to break all sorts of records as a one team player.

3. COWBOYS

Current: Five: Matt Scott (251), Scott Bolton (228), Jason Taumalolo (162), Michael Morgan (139), Ethan Lowe (108)

NRL era: Seven: Matthew Bowen (270), Aaron Payne (219), Paul Bowman (203), Ty Williams (151), Peter Jones (131), Ray Thompson (117), John Buttigieg (101)

Analysis: Matt Scott looks certain to end his rugby league career at his one and only club after playing 251 games for the Cowboys to date. Scott Bolton, 31, is not far behind with 228 games. Jason Taumalolo will most-likely finish his career as a Cowboy after signing a monster 10-year lifetime contract just last season. Michael Morgan, 26, inked a five-year deal last season, while 27-year-old Ethan Lowe is also in contention to finish his career a Cowboy.

4. BRONCOS

Matt Gillett looks is on track to finish a one club player. Source: Getty Images

Current: Five: Alex Glenn (238)*, Andrew McCullough (236)*, Josh McGuire (194)*, Matt Gillett (183), Corey Oates (120)*

NRL era: 16: Darren Lockyer (355), Corey Parker (347), Sam Thaiday (304), Michael Hancock (274), Allan Langer (258), Andrew Gee (255), Shane Webke (254), Tony Carroll (218), Brad Thorn (200), Dane Carlaw (188), Steve Renouf (183), Michael De Vere (163), John Plath (149), Peter Ryan (147), Jack Reed (128), Karmichael Hunt (125)

Analysis: Josh McGuire and Alex Glenn have been linked to moves to the Cowboys and Titans recently. Corey Oates has been courted by several rival clubs this season and might have to leave if cap space is not freed up. Matt Gillett and Andrew McCullough look the most likely to finish their career at the Broncos as one club players, but McCullough might have to move on if Damien Cook follows Anthony Seibold to Brisbane.

5. STORM

Current: Four: Cameron Smith (384), Jesse Bromwich (202), Will Chambers (191), Kenny Bromwich (123)

NRL era: Two: Billy Slater (319), Matt Rua (101)

Analysis: The Storm are another young club who have only been around for 20 years. New Zealand veteran Jesse Bromwich and Cameron Smith look the most likely one club players, but when Smith finishes remains up in the air due to his stalled contract talks. Kenny Bromwich (27) and Will Chambers (30) are the next most likely two to finish their career at Melbourne.

6. WESTS TIGERS

Current: Three: Chris Lawrence (227), Luke Brooks (107)*, David Nofoaluma (105)

NRL era: Two: Daniel Fitzhenry (137), Liam Fulton (162)

Analysis: The Tigers, like the Titans and Storm, are a relatively new club after Balmain and Western Suburbs merged in 1999, so they have had less one-team players. Chris Lawrence, 30, has played 227 games for the Tigers and looks the most likely of the current squad to finish his career a one club player. Luke Brooks looks set to be a career Tiger if he commits long term after his current contract negotiations, but he will attract the interest of a number of other teams. David Nofoaluma has three years remaining on his deal and is only 24.

7. RAIDERS

Skipper Jarrod Croker could break many records at the Raiders. Source: Getty Images

Current: Three: Jarrod Croker (230), Josh Papalii’i (171), Jack Wighton (130)

NRL era: Nine: Jason Croker (317), Laurie Daley (244), Alan Tongue (220), David Furner (200), David Boyle (177), Mark McLinden (165), Ken Nagas (142), Terry Campese (139), Glen Buttriss (119)

Analysis: Ricky Stuart has said Jarrod Croker will break all sorts of records at the club and it is hard to see the Raiders’ skipper not finishing as a one-team player. Jack Wighton, 25, is a favourite of Stuart’s but his off-field history may come back to bite him, while 26-year-old Josh Papalii’i is a representative forward who is a big chance to see out his career at the club.

8. PANTHERS

Current: Three: Sam McKendry (147), Josh Mansour (117), Isaah Yeo (108)

NRL era: Five: Steve Carter (243), Tony Puletua (210), Trent Waterhouse (186), Carl Macnamara (181), Luke Rooney (140)

Analysis: Josh Mansour, 28, signed a contract extension to finish his career at the Panthers and he will hope he can put an end to the injuries that have ravaged him in recent seasons. Sam McKendry and Isaah Yeo are the other Panthers with the next best shot at joining the exclusive club.

9. SHARKS

Current: Three: Paul Gallen (326), Sosaia Feki (126), Valentine Holmes (105)*

NRL era: Six: Andrew Ettingshausen (328), Mitch Healey (222), Danny Lee (212), Dean Treister (161), Sean Ryan (128), Ricky Leutele (128)

Analysis: Paul Gallen will retire a one club NRL player after inking a one-year-deal to play on in 2019 when he will turn the ripe old age of 38. Sosaia Feki, 27, is the other Shark on track for the honour, while Valentine Holmes looks set for a move to the Cowboys. If he remains, the club will look to lock him up for as long as possible.

10. TITANS

Ryan James has played all 138 of his first grade games for the Titans. Source: AAP

Current: Two: Ryan James (138), Anthony Don (110)

NRL era: One: Kevin Gordon (118)

Analysis: The Titans are only 11 years old as a club and only have two players currently eligible to be one team players. Skipper Ryan James is the heart and soul of the Gold Coast and looks set to finish his career as a Titan. Anthony Don is the club’s second greatest try scorer and has a cult following on the Gold Coast.

11. SEA EAGLES

Current: Two: Daly Cherry-Evans (195), Jorge Taufua (124)

NRL era: Three: Brett Stewart (233), Steve Matai (230), David Williams (103)

Analysis: Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is odds on to see out his career with Manly after he signed a lifetime 10-year contract and the fact he is reunited with coach Des Hasler, who gave him his start in first grade. Jorge Taufua is a chance to do the same, after scoring 72 tries in 124 games to date.

12. EELS

Tim Mannah has played his entire career to date for the Eels. Source: Getty Images

Current: Two: Tim Mannah (223), Peni Terepo (101)

NRL era: Seven: Nathan Hindmarsh (330), Luke Burt (264), Nathan Cayless (259), Fuifui Moimoi (201), Michael Vella (159), Ben Smith (152), Matthew Keating (130)

Analysis: The former Eels’ skipper is one of the true nice guys of rugby league and after 223 games for Parramatta, he deserves to go out a one-club player. After years of salary cap drama and disappointing results, the Eels have been forced to chop and change their roster in recent seasons. Peni Terepo is the only other Eel on track to be a one club player at this stage.

13. BULLDOGS

Current: Two: Josh Jackson (157), David Klemmer (113)*

NRL era: Nine: Hazem El Masri (317), Craig Polla-Mounter (192), Brent Sherwin (191), Glenn Hughes (177), Steve Reardon (163), Simon Gillies (161), Adam Perry (133), Mitch Newton (106), Willie Talau (101)

Analysis: The family club has only two current one-team players. However, David Klemmer, who looked certain to be a one club player prior to this season, now looks set to join the Knights. Skipper Josh Jackson is every chance of seeing out his career at his one and only club to date.

14. DRAGONS

Current: One: Jack De Belin (154)

NRL era: Seven: Ben Hornby (273), Ben Creagh (270), Jason Nightingale (266), Matt Cooper (243), Dean Young (209), Mark Gasnier (174), Dan Hunt (150)

Analysis: Jack De Belin, 27, has played 154 games for the club and if he can continue to play through injury he will most likely finish his career at the Dragons.

15. WARRIORS

Current: One: Shaun Johnson (162)*

NRL era: 14: Simon Mannering (302), Stacey Jones (261), Manu Vatuvei (226), Logan Swann (195), Lance Hohaia (185), Sam Rapira (173), Awen Guttenbeil (170), Jerome Ropati (145), Jerry Seu Seu (132), Joe Vagana (115), Ali Lauiti’iti (115), Francis Meli (110), Brent Webb (103), Monty Betham (101)

Analysis: Shaun Johnson looked a lock to be a one club player before the Warriors gave him permission to look elsewhere beyond his current deal which expires in 2019. The Warriors have been through a huge transition period in recent years and aside from promoting good local juniors, have begun recruiting representative stars in their prime.

16. KNIGHTS

Current: None

NRL era: 12: Danny Buderus (257), Kurt Gidley (251), Andrew Johns (249), Robbie O’Davis (223), Matthew Gidley (221), Steve Simpson (216), Jarrod Mullen (211), Bill Peden (190), Paul Harragon (169), James McManus (166), Mark Hughes (161), Daniel Tolar (101)

Analysis: Once a club that prided itself on retaining it’s local juniors, the Knights have no current one-club players with over 100 games to their name. However, after a huge clean out and rebuild, expect this to change over the next few years. Sione Mata’utia, 22, is already on 90 games and last year signed on for three more seasons.