It's taken less than a fortnight for prop David Shillington to become the first victim of the Sydney Roosters strict alcohol policy.

Shillington was demoted to NSW Cup after arriving to Monday's 7am session around an hour late and confessing to team officials his tardiness was a result of drinking alcohol on Sunday.

Under the Roosters inter-club rule signed off by the players earlier this season, they can only drink on the day immediately following a game and after they've done recovery.

As the Roosters played last Friday, they were only allowed to consume alcohol on Saturday.

Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said Shillington had admitted to breaching the rules and had to cop the consequences.

"It doesn't matter if it was one (beer) or 100,000 he breached the club policy," said Canavan.

"He wasn't (drinking) with anybody from the team.

"He is bitterly disappointed in himself.

"There was no decision, it was just the application of the policy which meant he was relegated to the NSW Cup for this week.

"It was a case of David explaining why he was late, he owned up immediately and drank alcohol on the wrong day, and the coach said these are the rules and you're playing second grade this week.

"It was that simple, very cut and dried conversation with the coaching staff and with me."

Shillington is currently negotiating a contract with the club but Canavan says his behaviour will not affect his retention, even though it is his second alcohol-related breach in as many seasons.

Canavan says the Queensland-born prop has let himself down and now had to earn his position in the firing Roosters outfit.

"He accepted it, he knew that the rule was going to be applied and didn't complain," he said.

"He has let himself down and let the team down and that is what he is feeling. He will cop the relegation and it's up to him to force his way back into the team.

"The team is going quite well so he knows he's squandered an opportunity to stay in first grade."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP