The man chiefly responsible for brokering the funding arrangement between the NRL and clubs fears franchises will fold if the salary cap rises any higher than $9.2 million for next year.

The NRL will meet with clubs on Thursday in a bid to agree on a salary cap, with a view to tabling it to the Rugby League Players' Association. However, the clubs are split almost down the middle on the figure, Canterbury leading the push for it to be lifted to $9.6 million.

Regardless of where the number lands, the Bulldogs have overshot the mark and are in danger of not having at least one of their two big recruits – Aaron Woods and Kieran Foran – registered for next season.

The issue has the ability to fracture the clubs as 12 of the 16 need to ratify the salary cap under the new funding agreement. It would take just five dissenters to throw the negotiations into turmoil.