10 Mar 2009

Manley looks at the drinking culture within the club

6:36 am on 10 March 2009

The Manly Rugby League club has described the level of drinking at it's season launch party as unacceptable.

Fullback Brett Stewart is under investigation for the alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl at North Manly after the party on Friday night.

Earlier that night another play Anthony Watmough was involved in an altercation with a sponsor.

Manly's chief executive, Grant Mayer says the NRL is working hard to get drinking responsibly to players.

Meanwhile, a group representing rugby league players is seeking expert advice on how best to address the alcohol culture.

The head of the Rugby League Players Association Matt Rodwell says it's appropriate for the whole of rugby league to take a good hard look on how it deals with the issue.

He says there's also an need to look at how women are treated by those involved in the league.

But he says he believes only a minority of players have a problem with alcohol and a knee jerk reaction is not the answer.