Melbourne star Greg Inglis could join Kangaroos teammate Karmichael Hunt in the AFL, after his NRL contract expires with the Storm in 2012.
In a worrying sign for rugby league, the State of Origin centre confirmed if a solid offer was put to him by the AFL, he'd look at it closely.
''To be honest, I wouldn't mind having a crack, I played a few games when I was in high school but that was about it,'' Inglis said yesterday.
''You never know what happens in the future, look at what happened to Karmichael, he signed and that was a shock.
''You don't know what the future brings, you know if the opportunity's there then we'll definitely have a look but I can't promise anything at the moment.
''All I can say now is I'm still with Melbourne until 2012.''
Athletic and skilful with the ball in hand, Inglis is still only 22 but has already played 10 games for his state and 12 for Australia.
Sydney Swans co-captain Adam Goodes yesterday offered an open invitation to Inglis.
''I'd love to invite Greg Inglis to come up and play for the Swannies, or come and try out. Or Israel Folau to come play as well as a forward,'' Goodes said yesterday.
Hunt sent shockwaves through the NRL on Wednesday when he announced he would leave the Brisbane Broncos at the end of the year after signing with AFL newcomer Gold Coast FC.
Former Kangaroos coach and Cronulla mentor Ricky Stuart said the NRL shouldn't be alarmed by Hunt's defection to the AFL.
''It's a very expensive publicity stunt for the Gold Coast team,'' Stuart said.
Stuart said he believed the Origin star would return to the 13-man game.
''It was certainly a shock. He's played Origin and for his country and turns around and it's Aussie rules,'' Stuart said.
''We'll certainly replace those people who leave, we have before, but they all come back.
''Have a look at it, you only have to look at who went to play rugby union and they all want to come back.''
Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright labelled the AFL's move to secure Hunt's signature as an assault on his code.
''It's just an attack on rugby league maybe, it would be a bit like us signing a Barry Hall or a Jonathan Brown.
''You don't really know what you are getting, it is a lot of money to spend.
''We can't fight them [AFL], they have a war chest of money.
''But we have a good product and a lot of players that want to play it, good TV figures so we will get on with playing the game.''
Meanwhile, Bulldogs veteran Luke Patten said he understands why Karmichael Hunt had chased the dollars in AFL and believed NRL players deserve a bigger slice of the game's growing revenues.
Hunt's three-year deal with Gold Coast beginning in 2010 is reportedly worth $3 million as well as a six-month period of leave which would allow him to play rugby union overseas.
Patten said although he sees no threat from AFL he does believe rugby league players deserve an increase in the salary cap to help keep the top stars in the 13-a-side game.
''It's overreacting to say we're under threat but having said that you don't want to be losing players to other codes obviously,'' Patten said.
''In the future [the salary cap] definitely should be looked at.
''With the new TV rights coming up as well, more money coming into the game, definitely players should be getting a bigger slice of the pie.
''That's something that needs to be looked at in the future for sure.'' AAP
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