Parramatta captain Nathan Cayless has called for the NRL to establish a set of guidelines on player behaviour, claiming current rulings on the hot topic were "all over the shop".

Punishments for off-field incidents have been varied and under plenty of scrutiny following a rash of early-season misdemeanours by players at a number of clubs.

The NRL met with club delegates and the Rugby League Players Association last week to discuss player behaviour guidelines.

NRL Chief Executive David Gallop said after the meeting that there was clear agreement that the initial responsibility in dealing with issues rested with the clubs, and his organisation wanted to only get involved when the club's penalty was "manifestly inadequate" and the game's reputation needed to be protected.

Cayless felt the NRL needed to establish some guidelines to ensure consistency.

"There needs to be some sort of guideline set out by the NRL, it's got to be balance," Cayless said.

"It can't be a knee-jerk reaction to something that happens, it's got to be a certain set of guidelines that are in place so that every player and every official knows what happens if they do stuff up.

"At the moment, it's just sort of all over the shop.

"It's a tough one, but the boys have just got to behave and do the right thing."

Cayless suggested he wouldn't be surprised if the Eels were subjected to similar club guidelines as the Roosters, who stood down forwards Willie Mason and Nate Myles after drinking outside the club's designated times.

"It's heading that way at the moment, our CEO (Denis Fitzgerald) is pretty keen to get that," Cayless said.

"It's pretty hard to be told as an adult that you can't drink alcohol at certain times.

"But if you can't handle it, then you shouldn't drink, everyone has got to be sensible."

Parramatta has attracted its share of headlines for undisciplined off-field behaviour in the past but has kept a clean sheet this year.

"That's a good thing, we haven't been in the papers yet," Cayless said.

Eels halfback Brett Finch believed players were better off drinking alcohol at home.

"I think in general having a few beers at home should be encouraged for players," Finch said.

"Obviously with the scrutiny they are under, if you can have a few beers and stay inside is probably the best bet."

Finch agreed with Cayless that the NRL should establish guidelines for players.

"I look at (Roosters hooker) Jake Friend, who got suspended for two drinks and had a fine for drink-driving," Finch said.

"I know in the past there's been plenty of players who have had drink-driving against them and they haven't been stood down.

"I think if there's one widespread system from the NRL, it certainly makes all clear where you stand."

He said there was probably greater pressure on clubs to deliver severe penalties to offenders than at any other time since he had been in the game.

Finch wasn't adverse to clubs having their own individual disciplinary system in addition to any NRL punishment guidelines.

"I think when it comes to the big issues, the NRL would have to step in, but clubs have to have their own policies and their own codes of conduct in place."

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