The Bulldogs' NRL off-season of woe continued as the re-signing of skipper Andrew Ryan was overshadowed by an unsavoury nightclub incident involving halfback Ben Roberts.

After losing a host of top level talent in recent years - including a bitter split with Willie Mason just three months ago - the Dogs were keen to spruik the retention of international backrower Ryan until 2011.

Instead, they were again forced to answer questions about an off-field incident, with Kiwi international Roberts reportedly bashed outside a Wollongong nightclub on Sunday before later being arrested for allegedly resisting arrest.

Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad confirmed the club had launched an internal investigation into the incident, with Roberts given time off from training while he recovers from his injuries.

"The understanding is from people that have seen (Roberts) is that he has been substantially beaten. Very badly beaten," Noad told reporters.

"Ben would be uncomfortable and probably a little bit embarrassed that he's taken a bit of gloss off (Ryan's re-signing).

"It's important to point out that there are a number of things being investigated outside of the charge in relation to Ben that relate to Ben being king-hit and bashed quite substantially in the lead up to the incident."

Roberts, who had a conviction for drink driving overturned last year, will appear in Wollongong Local Court later this month over the incident.

Reports claimed police officers were forced to use capsicum spray to subdue the 22-year-old during the incident, which occurred when Roberts returned to the Glasshouse Tavern after earlier in the night being knocked unconscious in a previous altercation.

His manager David Riolo said Roberts wanted police to lay charges against the men who allegedly bashed him.

"He's pushing for charges to be laid providing the police can find who the perpetrators are," Riolo told the Nine Network.

Roberts was the only Bulldog NRL player absent from Monday's announcement of Ryan's re-signing, with the club attempting to show a untied front after months of reports of inner turmoil at Belmore following Mason's acrimonious exit.

"We all wanted to be here, the whole club, so it's great for everyone involved in the club and all the players to be here and it just shows that we're all ready to go together as a unit for this season," said Ryan, who has re-signed for a further three years.

The retention of the Australian and NSW player is significant for the club following the departures of stars Mason, Mark O'Meley and Braith Anasta to the Sydney Roosters in recent years.

"Contrary to what seems to be the perception out there, this club is not in disarray," said Dogs coach Steve Folkes.

"We've got a great bunch of players here who are fully prepared to do whatever it takes to be successful this year."

Ryan, 29, has played 120 NRL games for the Dogs after joining the club from Parramatta in 2003.

"I've been with the club for six years and it was always my first preference to stay with the Bulldogs for more years to come," he said.

"It's a great club, from the players, to the coaching staff to the administration. We've got a very enthusiastic and committed squad and will be giving the NRL competition a real shake over the next few years."

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