The NRL will consider a proposal to allow players to have their own individual numbers on the backs of their jerseys.

The idea was put forward at a meeting of club bosses in Sydney on Tuesday by Sydney Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce and was received warmly by the other clubs.

Noyce said it was time rugby league followed the lead of AFL and cricket teams and allowed fans to buy replica shirts with the name and numbers of their favourite player on the back.

"It allows fans to identify with a favourite player when they are at the game and when they purchase a jersey," Noyce said.

"The way positions are today the numbers do not really reflect where people actually play and there is a better chance for people to better identify their favourite player.

"There are only two sports that retain numbers based on position and it is time we moved on."

The plan also received tentative support from NRL CEO David Gallop, who admitted although the idea would fly in the face of tradition, it was something that would be looked into.

"All of that stuff is part of the system used in AFL and cricket and there has been a push for it today and we will go away and look at it," Gallop said.

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