The NRL is in damage control heading into this weekend's first round, after a 17-year-old girl accused Manly fullback Brett Stewart of sexual assault following his club's alcohol-fuelled season launch on Friday.

The alleged incident came just hours after Stewart's teammate Anthony Watmough was accused of slapping a club sponsor.

Former Raiders bad boy Todd Carney was also arrested last week after allegedly jumping on a car after a drinking session in Goulburn.

With Raiders back-rower Joel Thompson set to face court next month to defend allegations he assaulted his girlfriend after a drinking session in January, alcohol-related incidents have generated plenty of unwanted headlines for the NRL during the off-season.

Tongue joined Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith and the Rugby League Players Association yesterday in calling for the game to stamp out alcohol-related incidents.

While he stopped short of supporting former NSW coach Phil Gould's call for a complete alcohol ban, Tongue said something needed to be done to clean up rugby league's image.

''We definitely need to put our hands up and say, 'Enough is enough,''' Tongue said.

''The thing is we're in a situation where one person can spoil or tarnish the image for everyone.

''We've got to look at something, because we can't keep doing what we're doing, we're shooting ourselves in the foot.''