NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has described behaviour of Bulldogs players during Monday's end-of-season celebrations in The Rocks as "embarrassing for the game".
NewsCorp published photos of a player vomiting outside the Harbour View Hotel, as well as another of a player who appeared to be asleep outside plus others who had removed their clothing inside the establishment.
"I'm very disappointed. We should today be talking about the finals series... and I'm terribly disappointed to be even talking about this today," Greenberg told media on Tuesday.
"We had a very detailed discussion with all 16 clubs, the eight clubs that weren't playing [about end-of-season celebrations], so the expectations were very, very clear, and the Bulldogs have let down the game today.
"I've got no problems with people celebrating the end of their season, as long as they do it respectably. On this occasions they've made some poor decisions and poor choices, and that ultimately gives the game a black eye and that's what I'm disappointed about today.
"It's embarrassing for the players as individuals themselves, it's embarrassing for their club, and it's embarrassing for the game.
"I'm not going to speculate on what sanctions or actions we will take, I'll wait until I get the full details of the report because I don't have all the details at the moment."
Canterbury have apologised for their team's behaviour, issuing a statement on Tuesday morning to say the players' actions were unacceptable.
"In regard to images from the team's get together on Monday, the club accepts that they were unacceptable and a poor reflection on the individuals involved and the club," the club said.
"The players are aware of their responsibilities and the standards required when representing the club and yesterday's behaviour was unacceptable and a bad look for the game.
"The club will now work with all relevant stakeholders to gather information and fully review what took place yesterday.
"The club is also working closely with the NRL in regard to determining the next steps in this review."
The RLPA also released a statement on Tuesday afternoon, admitting the players acted in a way "not in line with the values that we expect of our members" while also raising concerns about the players' privacy.
"We share the disappointment of other stakeholders regarding the impact that these incidents can have on the perception of the game and players, particularly given all of the impressive things that players are doing, on and off field, and the positive direction that the game is heading in," CEO Ian Prendergast said.
"Given the emotion involved around incidents such as these, it's important that we all take a deep breath and put things into context, while working through the process in a measured way. We're also concerned about the intrusive nature of the reporting involved here.
"The players we have spoken with are embarrassed about their behaviour, which was out of character. However, while we accept players have stepped out of line on this occasion, they are entitled to let their hair down at the end of a tough year.
"I'm sure many of us have had night's that we're not proud of. These guys will now have to live with the consequences of their actions in the cold hard light of day."
Prendergast said the RLPA would continue to monitor the situation with the club and the NRL while "seeking to ensure that the players involved are properly supported and treated fairly".
