Canterbury could try to prevent Ben Barba from playing against them for the next two years by granting him a conditional release.

Under NRL guidelines, there is nothing preventing the Bulldogs from inserting a clause into Barba's release which stops the Dally M medallist from playing against them for the duration of his current contract.

Difficult to contain: Ben Barba is a hard man to get a grip on no matter the club. Credit:Getty Images

It is a twist on the release the club granted Sonny Bill Williams, who was prevented from joining a rival NRL team until his deal with the Bulldogs had lapsed. In the English Premier League, it is common practice for players ''on loan'' not to play against their main employer.

An NRL official confirmed there would be no problems registering a contract with the ''Barba clause'' should an agreement be struck between the clubs. Such an arrangement would stop Barba until 2016 from starring against the team which turned him into a marquee player. The Bulldogs appear resigned to cutting Barba free and there have been talks about potential compensation payments should he join Brisbane.