NRL: Finch warns cap will cost game

Greg Inglis. Photo / Getty Images

Melbourne veteran Brett Finch said the potential loss from rugby league of Storm teammate Greg Inglis would be a "massive blow" to the game amid reports the Kangaroos star is talking to AFL club Essendon.

Speculation Inglis could be the latest to abandon rugby league as part of the Storm's dismantling process have spread like wildfire through an NRL already in damage control after Israel Folau's midweek signing with new AFL franchise GWS.

Bombers boss Ian Robson reportedly flew to Sydney to meet Inglis' manager Allan Gainey. While officials refused to confirm any contact between Inglis and the Bombers, Finch said the NRL would be devastated if he departed. He also took a shot at the restrictions of the A$4.1 million salary cap.

"It would be a massive blow - he's one of the greatest athletes the game has ever seen," Finch said of Inglis. "He's achieved everything and he's only 23. I think he's achieved nearly everything more than once. He is a fantastic kid ... but if another place offers you four times as much, what are you going to do?

"We've got to do something about it. We can't keep sitting on our hands.

"I'm sick of hearing people say if they leave they should never be allowed back. If they don't want to play footy, if they want to go and play something else they can."

Inglis, who could not speak after copping an errant elbow to the throat in Friday night's loss to Parramatta, has already said he would be loath to play against the Storm if he was forced out as the club tries to get under the salary cap.

Finch is already resigned to leaving, claiming he has been forced to look to the English Super League due to the cap.

"They talk about loyalty - right now there's not many options for me and I've been loyal to this game for 12 years. Does the NRL care about loyalty to me? It's only when it suits them," Finch said.

"To say to these young kids don't leave the game because the game's created them, their game's not's helping blokes like me who are getting pushed out by the salary cap."

- AAP