NRL boss Dave Smith says he is prepared to open his war chest and make Greg Inglis the first beneficiary of his special fund to keep elite players in the game.

Smith is prepared to match rival codes dollar for dollar  to make sure that Inglis finishes his career in the NRL and rugby league – if money is what he is after.

This column predicted last week that Inglis was heading for a showdown with Smith because of the enormous cash that was being thrown his way.  His management have been on the front foot throughout the week pleading his case and explaining exactly why Inglis deserves more dosh.

Smith gave himself the powers to act because he thought it was ridiculous that he should have to sit back and watch as players were lured to other codes.  Make no mistake, he would have thrown money at Jarryd Hayne if it was a matter of money. In his case, however, Hayne was simply looking for a new challenge, in much the same  way that Sonny Bill Williams was never going to be stopped from going back to rugby.

"Greg is not only one of the best players in the world but he does an incredible amount to promote the game among Indigenous communities," he said. "Ultimately it is Greg's choice but we certainly want him to keep playing in the NRL."

Smith said the discretionary power was there to help the NRL keep its very best players.

"It is important that the game can compete with other codes and other countries to keep or attract marquee players to the NRL," he said. "We envisage using the power very rarely – perhaps once or twice in a  decade.

"And, where we use the discretionary fund, we will use that player to promote our game both in Australia and overseas."

'Siren' keeps noise going for fallen mate

One of Phillip Hughes' great mates was Gosh Daher – otherwise known as the Phantom Siren – the man whose voice could stop a rugby league match with his great imitation of the full-time hooter. He used to train Phillip and his brother Jason at the cricket field at Breakfast Point. Daher's family will play their annual cricket match today – and the winning side will be awarded a cup and a plaque dedicated to his great mate.

Harsh scrutiny

Manly players were quick to note Daly Cherry-Evans' arrival at the season launch on Thursday night. Most players were there at the designated time of 5.15pm for a 6pm commitment, but Cherry-Evans only got there right on 6pm and that put some teammates' noses out of joint.  Nor were they impressed that he  left his car at the front entrance for a staff member to park.

But Cherry-Evans was late due to commitments with his kids and he  arranged with the staff member to park his car so he wouldn't hold up the team as they were going on stage. It's easy to see why some players thought he was getting special treatment and it's clear  every move Cherry-Evans makes is  watched, not only by the media but by his own team.  Cherry-Evans informed team management all the way on his journey to the launch and they have no issue with him.

More drugs haze  

The NRL were convinced all week that another former Titans player, who is yet to be charged, would be in trouble with the police.  The player has left the club and he was the one who is alleged to have brought in the cocaine for the now-infamous buck's party.  How he's escaped attention is a mystery and has angered some of those involved.  The code has long been in denial about the prevalence of illicit drugs.  This was Wayne Bennett's comment when asked about drugs in the game: "I've been to three footy clubs in the last six years and it hasn't been an issue at the clubs I've been at, so that's all I can talk about." I found it interesting his statement was couched in the way that it was - he limited the timespan to his recent life as a coach.

One of Bennett's former charges had camera crews outside his house during the week as the media waited for his name to drop. In fact, smart management prevented a story from appearing this week – it had the potential to be front-page news given the way  league sells.  The likes of Andrew Johns and Wendell Sailor did the wrong thing and it cost them dearly – but many others have run the gauntlet and got away with using so-called "party drugs". You have to wonder what they think of the current drama.

About 18 months ago  this columnist was assaulted by a person with connections to illicit drugs who was showing up at training and trying to befriend the Roosters. I informed the chairman of the Roosters, Nick Politis, and he was horrified – he had banned the individual previously and told his CEO, Brian Canavan, to take action immediately. That's how easily players can lose  careers –  access to drugs is easy and often cheap. Ricky Stuart is another who took strong action against that individual and so did Laurie Daley – he banned him from being near the Blues side. The opinion Bennett offered was so off the pace – it's very difficult to believe that a man who has been around the game as long as he has couldn't take a strong stance. That league players or sportsmen are doing drugs is not a shock. For as long as I have been reporting they have been used – the concern is the trafficking and supply charges that players and former players are facing. And that is where ASADA has a high level of interest.

Labyrinth of Eels

It would take the skill of Sherlock Holmes to unravel the political battle lines being drawn up in the seemingly never-ending power games at the Parramatta Eels.  If Kieran Foran thought Manly could blue in the boardroom he needs to know he has the potential to be a political pawn in the Parramatta cesspool. If Brad Arthur delivers Foran to Parramatta he will be the king among the fans and playing group but not necessarily with the incumbent board of the cashed-up Parramatta Leagues Club. There is a key group  who want ex-coach Daniel Anderson  back. Anderson is currently sitting on Arthur's shoulder as coaching director. That can't be easy. It wouldn't surprise if Foran has a clause in his contract that he can walk if Arthur is replaced as coach.

It is a similar situation with Anthony Watmough's contract. That won't deter the push for Anderson – a man the players really enjoy being coached by. Straight-up success is what is required for Arthur. He had four games to wrap up a final spot with Jarryd Hayne last year and couldn't get the win when it mattered and that gives his enemies  ammunition to replace him. Arthur's agent got a new deal in October but is trying to get an upgrade.  That's part of the double play going on  — where Foran is being used. Both Daly Cherry-Evans and Arthur share the same management company.  In pushing for an upgraded deal for Arthur, they are saying the only hope Parramatta have of securing Foran is if he is the coach. It suits them for Foran – a player they don't manage — to be linked to the Eels while they push for more money for the coach. By putting forward the line that Foran is Parramatta-bound, which is a definite chance of happening, there is suddenly more desperation to sign their other client, Cherry-Evans – and if Manly think Foran is departing, there is more money available for Cherry-Evans. When Fairfax Media ran a story saying that Foran had signed, the Eels went into meltdown. They are trying to provide evidence they had nothing to do with that story appearing.

Candid camera

Des Hasler has always been an innovator – remember the calves' blood in his Manly days? – and he has every device under the sun at his disposal in the Dogs' high-tech gym. Now he's leading the way on the training field: Des has installed his own big screen that shows his training moves. The beauty of it is that he can rewind and freeze vision to make a point or show the players where they have gone wrong. It's a great tool for Des to play with and will make his team even sharper. It will be interesting to hear what the players think of it.

Pulp non-fiction

Sonny Bill Williams sells – it's why he can headline boxing nights as a rookie fighter and why there are endless stories written about him despite his almost never giving interviews. It's not surprising that writers will try to make a buck off his name, and there is a whisper that an unauthorised biography is about to hit the shelves. "Those who spent their lives tearing into him and bagging him now want to profit from Sonny," said his agent, Khoder Nasser. "If they are writing their version of his story without him telling his story it's not worth the paper it's being written on.

I think instead of spending 10 bucks on a slapped-together book of half-truths people should give the money to charity." Nasser didn't even want to mention to this column who was writing the book – but he told the author to "f--- off" when he was asked for comment. Regardless of the quality of the book, there will eventually be a "real" SBW tome on the shelves; Nasser says it is in the works and it will be released at the end of his career.

NRL's oversight

The appeals committee are in no hurry to give Todd Carney an answer about his dismissal from the Sharks. The NRL has already ruled that the Sharks board would most likely have dismissed his claims. What they didn't take into account is that Carney had strong support from members of the board – and they misread the view of some of the club's significant backers.

Parker ousted

This column expressed surprise when Corey Parker was made captain of the Broncos, saying that, as good as he is, he didn't have the backing of the dressing room. That's why Justin Hodges has now been appointed leader in Parker's place.

Thaiday on trial

Sam Thaiday is going to earn his new Broncos deal. Wayne Bennett is said to be unconvinced about his commitment and hesitant about tossing the big bucks his way. Whatever contract Thaiday gets, one thing is certain: he has a future in the media. A fine talent.

Exit not a shock

The Dragons are saying they've known for months that Trent Merrin was leaving the club. They say his decision to team up with leading agent Wayne Beavis last year was the end for them. They took Merrin's decision to employ Beavis as an indication that he was on the market and not interested in staying at the Dragons. Merrin continues to be bad-mouthed by Dragons types who are spreading word that his attitude is off. Merrin will be happy to be out of the place.

Hayne pay train 

The Jarryd Hayne/Telstra deal we told you about has already brought  rewards. His management has on-sold the rights to his vision and interviews for close to six figures.