Cronulla general manager Steve Rogers claimed sanity had prevailed after the National Rugby League clubs decided against raising the salary cap next season.

But some clubs are destined to pay a heavier price than others following the majority decision, with Bulldogs chief executive Steve Mortimer conceding it would hurt the `Dogs' chances of retaining all their stars.

The Sydney Roosters, Brisbane and St George Illawarra, all public advocates of an increase in the league's $3.25 million cap, will also face a struggle to retain players in the wake of the decision.

The club chief executives, at a two-day conference on NSW's Central Coast, voted by a clear majority against raising the salary cap next season but agreed to discuss lifting it in 2005 at the NRL's annual conference later in the year.

"Sanity has prevailed," Rogers said.

"It's a great decision. An enormous majority voted not to increase it."

It's understood the vote was 10-5 against on a day in which the clubs also endorsed a 'secure playing roster' to equalise playing talent and backed the game's current 15 teams.

Mortimer, who is negotiating with a handful of his biggest names including Brent Sherwin, Nigel Vagana and Willie Talau, admitted his job had become a little harder.

"It probably does," Mortimer said.

"But I'm still hopeful of a favourable outcome. I have rugby league at heart and there's a lot of reasons why it should not go up and I have to respect that."

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