Benji Marshall blasts NRL doomsday draft plan THE NRL's contingency plan to force players to other clubs through an internal draft polarised the game yesterday with Wests Tigers superstar Benji Marshall describing it as a "shit idea." NRL chief executive Dave Smith revealed that the game had discussed a number of worst-case scenarios in the event an Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation leads to mass suspensions in the NRL. Up to 14 players at Cronulla are facing bans from six months to two years while Manly, Newcastle, Canberra, Penrith and North Queensland have all been identified in a report by the Australian Crime Commission into doping, match-fixing and links to organised crime. Each club could be forced to supply a number of players for an internal draft from which depleted clubs could bolster their ranks. Having already lost Andrew Fifita, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Heighington and Beau Ryan to Cronulla because of the salary cap, Marshall said he would hate to see any more of his teammates forced to play for the Sharks. "To be honest, I think it's a shit idea," he said. I wouldn't want any of my teammates to be put through that, put to the sword and (be told) 'we don't want you, you can go play for Cronulla'. Other teams can do it but just keep our team - we've already lost enough. Tigers teammate Chris Lawrence was far more diplomatic, but said rival NRL clubs should not be made to pay for the mistakes of others. "You probably wouldn't like it at first, but you just have to get on with it," Lawrence said of being forced to move clubs. I'd hate to see a draft implemented just because of these problems and having to lose players ... for us who have done nothing wrong. However, Queensland State of Origin and Test prop Ben Hannant said the contingency plan could answer the prayers of a host of worthwhile talent in the Queensland and NSW cups. "It would be a fantastic thing for people on the fringe - the QCup - who train with NRL teams from time to time but just need that start; the opportunity," Hannant said. Say there's a halfback who is pretty good but at his club they are already two halves in front of him. It could be a real help. We have to I think be fair to our sponsors, the broadcasters, our members. You would be surprised how many good players there are on the fringe. They wouldn't let anyone down. It's the first I've heard of this. I hope it doesn't have to come to that. But I think it's a good option. Melbourne five-eighth Gareth Widdop said it was out of players' hands. "Players definitely want all 16 clubs to survive," Widdop said. You want a strong competition. You don't want teams folding as that ruins the great game the fans love. It would be a tragedy if that were to happen. I think all clubs would want to support any club in trouble. Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys said it would be difficult for the proposal to work unless it had the co-operation of all players and admitted it would be a delicate process for all clubs. However, he said it could provide a valuable opportunity for fringe players at all clubs to gain some valuable first-grade experience. "There would be some players who would see that opportunity as one they'd like to pursue," Humphreys said. It would have to be a collaborative and co-operative process. The NRL distanced itself from the proposal yesterday, with media director John Brady claiming, "it's much too early to go into detail about that. That's the honest as well as the short answer. The Rugby League Players Association said there were more pressing matters to be dealt with.