This is exactly how the NRL has wanted it to be for years. The nature of the salary cap system is a promoter of mediocrity. You win the comp, your players' value rises considerably then you lose a few to other clubs. The following year players play for their respective countries and states, driving their value up once again, forcing more quality players out of your club and then your fu*ked and have to rebuild again meaning a few seasons on struggle street before you repeat the process.
This is the whole idea of the cap, but does it really mean better quality footy is played? Hmm.... It means you really can't consider any side the "underdog" anymore and all sides have a realistic chance of winning each game which is good right? Not if every side is mediocre and the playing field is too even. What happened to the David vs Goliath matches? They're gone, along with consistency, fluency, dynasties and most importantly high quality footy.
This is why you see sides like the Titans leading the competition despite clearly delivering "mediocre" performances each week, and this is not a knock on them as all they're doing is playing the mediocrity in front of them. All it does is lead to fans being confused and frustrated.
This is just my opinion and the way I see it at present.