Quote:"These blokes need to be saved from themselves," Gould said. "It's quite obvious alcohol and interaction with the general public is a recipe for major disappointment.

"Careers and reputations are [being] left in tatters over a moment's weakness or ill-discipline.

"Six months ago when I suggested players may have to totally refrain from drinking alcohol it sounded like an extreme and unrealistic restriction. Now I am not so sure. It seems like a necessary sacrifice to ensure a player's career and livelihood."

Quote:"At some point we have to realise alcohol is the root of a lot of problems that does not reflect well on rugby league," said Osborne, a non-drinker.

"The players have to appreciate it is a genuine privilege to play first grade, it has greater benefits than a night out. The idea of banning grog must be properly looked at."

"They might not want to be seen as role models but the game makes them so and they have to accept that kids look up to them," he said. "Tonight I'll be telling my older kids that what is happening in the game because of alcohol is 'dumb'. I want them to understand what can happen."

Osborne, a former detective who patrolled Newtown, said he saw firsthand the damage alcohol is inflicting upon the wider community.

"Every Friday and Saturday night people are getting hurt one way or another because of alcohol," he said. "The NRL does have the opportunity to do something."

Quote:"These blokes need to be saved from themselves," Gould said. "It's quite obvious alcohol and interaction with the general public is a recipe for major disappointment.

"Careers and reputations are [being] left in tatters over a moment's weakness or ill-discipline.

"Six months ago when I suggested players may have to totally refrain from drinking alcohol it sounded like an extreme and unrealistic restriction. Now I am not so sure. It seems like a necessary sacrifice to ensure a player's career and livelihood."

Quote:"At some point we have to realise alcohol is the root of a lot of problems that does not reflect well on rugby league," said Osborne, a non-drinker.

"The players have to appreciate it is a genuine privilege to play first grade, it has greater benefits than a night out. The idea of banning grog must be properly looked at."

"They might not want to be seen as role models but the game makes them so and they have to accept that kids look up to them," he said. "Tonight I'll be telling my older kids that what is happening in the game because of alcohol is 'dumb'. I want them to understand what can happen."

Osborne, a former detective who patrolled Newtown, said he saw firsthand the damage alcohol is inflicting upon the wider community.

"Every Friday and Saturday night people are getting hurt one way or another because of alcohol," he said. "The NRL does have the opportunity to do something."