I think the salary cap does that to a degree, but what the NRL haven't factored into the cap is the players wishes outside money and the facilities and resources each club can provide.
After the money, it boils down to resources. Coaching, stadiums, location, culture, playing group, training facilities etc.
We are offering bigger money (I'm talking Stef, Galvin and even Latrell), yet they go elsewhere for less.
If you compare it to a job offer for the same pay where one company is Google and the other is Mike's Computer Store. Even if Mike's tips in 10% more, you're probably picking Google 9 times out of 10.
The cap is overly simplified as being a level playing field based on salaries alone, yet teams like the Roosters have 5 origin players taking unders to play for them. Add Radley who is origin standard and that's 6. Ultimately, they play with a bigger cap, because it allows them to afford quality across the park.
Obviously, everyone knows Politis builds a Roosters network for life after footy and the guys get looked after for life. We can moan about it, but I actually know his wife and a few people very close to him. He is man that loves his team and takes care of those around him. We would do well to build our own business base of supporters to mimic what they are doing there. Who looks at Dennis Burgess and says wow! Now that club seems like a great place to spend my career for opportunities after footy!
The only answer is to get better.