Phil Gould has offered an ominous warning to NRL decision-makers, with the game's depth and player market in the midst of a "difficult" period.
With the competition adding a 17th team last year and talks ramping up from Peter V'landys regarding an 18th team in the coming seasons, the spread of quality talent across the league has seen a number of sides struggle.
Canterbury, St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers are among the clubs that have failed to make a dent in the NRL in recent years, while clubs such as the Panthers, Roosters and Broncos struggle to retain big-name stars due to salary cap constraints.
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On the season preview edition of Wide World Of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus, the current Bulldogs boss explained one of the major issues facing the game right now, while also pointing out the complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are still trying to build our body of depth in the clubs of first grade talent ... the competition has definitely suffered for depth across the board," Gould said.
"We've gone to 17 teams and there's a prospect we're gonna have an 18th team and Peter V'landys is talking about having 20 teams. Managers and players are all eyeing off the opportunities that could be available … it's a difficult time for the game.
"I've never seen the player market the way it is at the moment. I've never seen the lack of players available or off-contract, everyone is signing their players for longer.
"Our development systems went into hibernation for a couple of years [due to COVID].
"The game has to really focus on its depth and its pathways and investment in the future … everyone needs a system that's going to produce talent over a long period of time."
Penrith have emerged as the sport's elite development club, bringing through local talent each year to replace some marquee names and winning three titles in a row.
But one side that may find it difficult if they suffer injuries to key players in 2024 is the Melbourne Storm, who Gould doesn't believe are a genuine NRL contender.
"Melbourne Storm - great coach, great players - but they probably don't have the depth of talent that they've had in previous seasons," he said.
"They will be thereabouts. I don't know that they can afford too many injuries, particularly to key players, but every club is in the same boat.
"I don't see a premiership, I think that window has sort of closed for them."
The Storm will begin their campaign against defending premiers Penrith on March 8.
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