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Canberra prop David Shillington has become the first player to publicly support NRL boss David Gallop's tough new stance on discipline.
"I hold David Gallop in pretty high regard, to tell you the truth," Shillington said.
"He's under a lot of pressure to come up with the big calls from the public, media and the way the players keep behaving.
"All these dramas and debates have definitely shown that there's an urgent need for a single disciplinary body.
"The game needs consistency in this area."
Like most other NRL players, Shillington said he felt sympathy for suspended Manly star Brett Stewart.
But the sports management student said Gallop was right in looking after the game's wider interests as its image suffered from the sexual assault allegations.
"Brett has been charged with sexual assault and that's pretty serious," Shillington said.
"It might seem rough on Brett because he is innocent until proven guilty, but they are very serious charges and I think David did the right thing in tough circumstances.
"If they are now doing the same thing with Jake Friend and Brett Seymour then so be it - those are the rules."
While playing for Sydney Roosters last year, Shillington was himself stood down for a match for consuming alcohol on a non-drinking day.
But the 25-year-old said he harboured no ill-feeling toward the Roosters, who this week resisted pressure to axe Jake Friend after the hooker was charged with high-range drink driving.
"I hold David Gallop in pretty high regard, to tell you the truth," Shillington said.
"He's under a lot of pressure to come up with the big calls from the public, media and the way the players keep behaving.
"All these dramas and debates have definitely shown that there's an urgent need for a single disciplinary body.
"The game needs consistency in this area."
Like most other NRL players, Shillington said he felt sympathy for suspended Manly star Brett Stewart.
But the sports management student said Gallop was right in looking after the game's wider interests as its image suffered from the sexual assault allegations.
"Brett has been charged with sexual assault and that's pretty serious," Shillington said.
"It might seem rough on Brett because he is innocent until proven guilty, but they are very serious charges and I think David did the right thing in tough circumstances.
"If they are now doing the same thing with Jake Friend and Brett Seymour then so be it - those are the rules."
While playing for Sydney Roosters last year, Shillington was himself stood down for a match for consuming alcohol on a non-drinking day.
But the 25-year-old said he harboured no ill-feeling toward the Roosters, who this week resisted pressure to axe Jake Friend after the hooker was charged with high-range drink driving.