Rugby league loyalty is officially dead with two of the game's greats giving Sonny Bill Williams and Mark Gasnier the green light to cut and run from the NRL for more money.

Gasnier and Williams are two of the highest paid superstars in the NRL and both are considering heading to Europe to potentially double their sizable incomes with English or French rugby clubs.

St George Illawarra captain Gasnier has a $600,000-a-year deal until the end 2011 but has a clause permitting him to simply walk away from the club at any time.

Bulldogs backrower Williams is just six months into a five-year $2 million deal, but doesn't have an easy escape like Gasnier with the club adamant the Kiwi international's commitment will be honoured.

Former St George great John Raper said the Dragons should let the man acclaimed as the world's best centre to leave as new coach Wayne Bennett would "pull about three" Gasnier's out when he takes over the club in 2009.

"If he's not happy at the club then let him go," he told AAP.

"I'm all for players that aren't happy just let them go otherwise you have so much trouble with them.

"It'd be no surprise to me if Wayne Bennett comes up with another Mark Gasnier - that's what he's been able to do, he keeps coming up with good new players whether it be in the centres or in the front row.

"I'm certain he won't only pull one Mark Gasnier out, he'll pull about three out."

Raper argued that players deserved to earn as much as they can from their short football careers, a fact former NSW coach Wayne Pearce agrees with.

Pearce said the Bulldogs should try to solve any problems with Williams and even though he doubts the 22-year-old's concerns are purely monetary, he can understand the desire to make quick bucks.

He argues that NRL clubs no longer show loyalty to players as they continue searching for younger stars and the players should look after themselves first and foremost.

"I would be surprised if it is just dollars and cents with Sonny Bill," said Pearce.

"(But) I think the players are entitled to get the best deal that they possibly can.

"They have to try and do their best in a short period of time as a player.

"Because of the salary cap issue now there's not the loyalty I suppose from the clubs because the clubs have got to turn players over.

"So the old loyalty card that was played back in 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s is no longer as fine a trump card as it used to be."

While speculation is rife that both Gasnier and Williams are prepared to leave the NRL, both have barely uttered a word on their futures in recent weeks.

The Bulldogs are either powerless or unwilling to force Williams to speak publicly, while Gasnier has refused media requests during his time in NSW Origin camp.

Bulldogs veteran Luke Patten weighed in on the argument calling for his highly-paid but media shy teammate to set the record straight and publicly state his intentions to end uncertainty at the club.

"It would be good to see what he does think," said Patten.

"I'm sure in the next however long it will all get sorted out."

How long that wait is depends on Gasnier and Williams.

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