The Bulldogs stretched the rules when the goal-kicking back-rower ran straight from the field after the kick-off during his side's 42-28 win over North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

Martin was off the field before the Bears had caught the ball and then ran on for the club's NRL clash with the Warriors a few hours later.

A NSWRL spokesperson said the Bulldogs had not broken any rules and the governing body would not stand in their way if Martin wanted to turn out in the NSW Cup finals.

Martin has this year established himself as an NRL star of the future and was last month signed to a one-year contract extension.

He will now be available for the club's NSW Cup tilt thanks to his fleeting appearance.

While the Bulldogs' NRL side have been out of the running for months, their seconds are positioned for a top-four finish.

Under NSWRL rules, players can only turn out for their club in the state league finals if they play eight reserve grade matches during the year.

Before this week, Martin had played seven games and only one since making his NRL debut in round nine.

The Bulldogs' ploy left them with just three men on the bench for the rest of Sunday's NSW Cup game but they still ran out 42-28 winners.

Australian Associated Press