Fourteen-year veteran John Sutton is urging the NRL to significantly increase the dispensation provided to long-serving players in the salary cap with Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations expected to heat up this week.
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The one-club Rabbitohs veteran - who remains unsigned beyond 2017 - could have a significant portion of any new deal at Redfern excluded from the salary cap given his NRL career has been played exclusively at one club.
The NRL's first proposal to the Rugby League Players Association budgeted for $400,000 dispensation in the salary cap for long-serving players, but the players' union is angling for a sliding scale model favoured in the AFL.
The current NRL model allows for $300,000 for players who have spent six or more continuous years at one club through the National Youth Competition and NRL.
Sutton's preference is to finish his career as a one-club man as he closes in on 300 NRL matches, but may delay a decision on his future until the CBA picture becomes clearer.
Asked whether the game needed to do more with the salary cap to encourage players to finish their careers where they started, Sutton said: "I think so, definitely.
"In my case that would be great. I've been here so long and if they could give back to players who have been at one club that would be great.
"I guess I've been loyal and I think there should be a little bit more [reward] for players who stay at one club for a long period of time.
"For me it's been quite easy [to stay at the one club]. I've grown up in the area and have never really wanted to play for anyone else.
"But in saying that you look at the players coming through and the money that gets tossed around ... loyalty probably doesn't [count for as much anymore]. I do see a lot of big money getting thrown around."
Sutton's form has mirrored that of his side in an indifferent start to 2017, but the man who lifted the NRL trophy to snap South Sydney's premiership drought three years ago is adamant his combination with Cody Walker will flourish beyond 2017.
The 32-year-old turned down more lucrative offers in 2013 to stay under Michael Maguire then and still thinks he can eke out more football beyond this year.
"I think I'm striking up a combination with Cody on that left-hand side and with more time and more games we're only going to get stronger," he said. "That's the reason why I would like to stay at the club to build on that.
"I haven't got much time left in league, I'm getting on. I've got to do what's right for myself and my family. When those discussions come up I will come up with my decision and what's right for me."
Meanwhile, Sam Burgess will fight a grade one shoulder charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night after pleading not guilty to a hit on Greg Eastwood early in the Good Friday loss to the Bulldogs.
Burgess is facing a two-game ban - and would have been facing the same amount regardless of whether he challenged the charge - as a result of the hit.
The Rabbitohs will play the Broncos and Sea Eagles in the next fortnight.
