South Sydney captain Sam Burgess may be in line to receive his $3.6m remaining contract value from the club if he is forced into retirement from the game due to injury.
The 30-year-old has endured a difficult 2019 campaign after picking up an infection from shoulder surgery earlier in the year, reportedly down to only 25 per cent bone on his shoulder.
In addition, the England international was the subject of an AVO application from the father of his estranged wife following a reportedly heated confrontation at a home in Bowral.
Although the injury has to be proven as a new development rather than an existing condition in order for the medical retirement to be enforced, that hurdle appears cleared.
The Rabbitohs may subsequently apply to the League directly for salary cap dispensation so as to avoid the final three years of Burgess' deal impacting on their salary cap for that amount of time.
Younger brother George told Channel 9 "I suppose he will make the decision that is best for him and his family."
There are as yet no guarantees as to Burgess' playing future with no public announcement scheduled, but head coach Wayne Bennett told news.com.au there was no doubt in his mind the skipper would be lining up in 2020.