Select rugby league fans will get the chance to air grievances and opinions with NRL boss David Gallop at a specially convened forum at the Sydney Football Stadium on Thursday.

Chief executive Gallop and chief operating officer Graham Annesley will chair the meeting with two members from each of the 16 NRL clubs invited to attend.

The NRL conduct research into fans' opinions each season but on Thursday is the first time some will be given the chance to sit down face to face with NRL powerbrokers and discuss the state of the game.

"The whole issue is to give them the opportunity to ask questions they want to ask," said NRL director of media and communications John Brady.

"It is a privilege and an opportunity for them as members. It is their right to sit down and chat to the boss.

"It is not just about hearing gripes.

"Talking is never confronting if you're genuinely interested in what they think."

Among the issues expected to be discussed include ticket prices, venues, scheduling and the NRL's push for greater club membership numbers.

The current economical climate is set to have a major influence on crowd numbers next year and ticket prices, for NRL games and State of Origin fixtures, will be key concerns for fans in 2009.

Fans have also shown great interest in a return to Sydney's traditional grounds after huge attendances at grounds like Leichhardt Oval in 2008 as opposed to the cavernous ANZ Stadium.

Scheduling is another major concern after a media-driven push last year convinced the NRL to play the 2008 grand final in an afternoon timeslot.

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