NRL CEO Todd Greenberg says Canterbury players Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor are facing significant sanctions if they are found to have taken part in the “completely unacceptable” conduct allegations levelled at them.
Second-rower Harawira-Naera and winger Okunbor have been stood down following allegations of misconduct involving local female high school students during a pre-season trip to Port Macquarie.
Neither player is under criminal investigation but they have been issued show cause notices by the NRL.
“Our players have no greater social responsibility than promoting respect for women,” Greenberg said.
“Part of being a first-grade player is being a role model. Respect for women is a fundamental aspect of our training courses from rookies to elite players.
“That’s why we took immediate action in provisionally suspending both players allegedly involved in the matters under investigation.
“We didn’t hide behind the investigation. The Bulldogs and the NRL made the decision to proactively stand down the players to send a very clear message that allegations of this nature are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
If these breaches are sustained the players will face significant sanctions.
Todd Greenberg
“Conduct of this nature breaches every aspect of what we stand for as a game. Rest assured, if these breaches are sustained the players will face significant sanctions which will both meet community expectation and send a message to every single player in our game.
“Our game has been commended internationally for the work we do, not only in Australia but throughout the Pacific, in educating and promoting respect for women. We will continue to do more and more in this sphere and we will act swiftly on any player who does not meet those expectations.”
The Bulldogs conducted an internal review of the incidents over the weekend after it was brought to their attention on Friday.
They announced on Tuesday that Harawira-Naera and Okunbor would be stood down before their squad was named for round one.
The club issued a statement on Wednesday to say the "the breaches do relate to players bringing young females of a consensual age back to the team hotel".
Earlier on Wednesday, Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill said the suspended duo would not attend training sessions until investigations were completed.
"I think it's clear they've breached their obligations," Hill said.
"They're not behaviour or values that are reflective of this football club. We need to respect that process and the people involved in that process. There's a number of sensitivity matters around this.
"There's an investigation under process, I'm not in a position to make further comment. The club has acted swiftly."
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the incident has cost the Bulldogs a lucrative major sponsorship with restaurant chain, Rashays, which was due to be announced this week.
Hill was adamant no further players were involved but couldn't discuss the situation any further when pressed.
Bulldogs coach Dean Pay conceded the investigation had put a dent in the squad's morale before their season opener against the Eels on Thursday night.
Both players were expected to be named in Pay's starting line-up after solid performances last year, while the club had worked hard on its reputation following the Mad Monday scandal in 2018.
"It's difficult, there's challenges to it but the positive is Joe Stimson gets his first start for the club, Dean Britt gets a start and Christian Crichton gets a game," Pay said.
"They'll be ready. For us, we've got a game to play and that's what we're concentrating on. We've got on with what we've needed to get on with, that's where we're at.
"It's challenging but if there's one thing I know they'll do is they'll stick together."
Pay has opted for Fijian international Brandon Wakeham in the halves over Jack Cogger to start the season after a strong showing in the trials.
"There wasn't much between him and Jack, we just decided to go with Brandon," Pay said.
"Brandon brings a little bit more … he plays what's in front of him and is a little bit more aggressive in attack."
Canterbury upset the Eels 12-6 at Bankwest Stadium in the corresponding game last year. They're yet to lose at the venue.
"I'm still looking for it, the rivalry is still there," Pay said.
"We want to do well and put a really big performance in."
