The Bulldogs have surprisingly withheld their support for a NRL plan which many believe would allow them to retain Sonny Bill Williams, Willie Mason and Braith Anasta.

Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad revealed the premiers had called for more discussion on a proposal which would relax the rules on third party sponsorships for leading players.

The `Dogs' shock decision comes as they attempt to re-sign Anasta, Williams and Mason - all of whom have indicated they are awaiting a final decision on the concept before deciding their futures.

"Basically we have said we think there are a lot of problems with it," Noad said.

"It requires much, much more discussion. We have said that it shouldn't come in for this year and it requires exhaustive discussion."

The NRL had called for submissions from its clubs before making a final decision on the plan, which would allow two players per team to be paid directly by existing sponsors.

It's understood the slight majority were against it while several others called for further investigations.

However, the NRL has made it clear it will make the final call and Noad said they needed to do so as soon as possible.

"I don't think it's going to help us," Noad said.

"Our sponsors are already putting a lot of money into the club. We don't have sponsors banging on our door saying they want to sponsor individual players as well as the club."

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