As the Australian Rugby League Commission gets set to decide Jack de Belin’s fate, Sam Burgess has come to the defence of the beleaguered code.

After an off-season marked by a torrent of negative headlines, the ARLC will on Thursday discuss changing behaviour protocols so that NRL players accused of serious crimes can be stood down.

Any change in policy will open the door for St George Illawarra and NSW lock de Belin to be stood down as he deals with rape allegations.

De Belin has pleaded not guilty to the aggravated sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman in a Wollongong apartment.

The Rugby League Players Association has stood behind their members and opposes any change to the ARLC policy.

And while South Sydney forward Burgess didn’t want to buy into the debate going on at Rugby League Central, he said player behaviour was better than at any time during his career.

“We all have a responsibility to grow the game,” Burgess said at the Fox League launch on Wednesday.

“There’s been some terrible coverage in the press but player behaviour is probably as good as it’s been over the years.

“It’s just more reported on, things catch fire a lot quicker. For all the negative press, there’s some fantastic role models and great players.”

Many within the game have called for change, including Australian coach Mal Meninga who says a firm line in the sand needs to be drawn.

After joining the Gold Coast as the head of performance and culture, he says he delivered a strong message to the Titans playing group.

“We want our players to be leaders so there’s an expectation there, society say they’ve got to be ambassadors, they’ve got to be role models,” Meninga said.

“The club is black and white on this. There is an expectation around behaviour and accountability is one of our values.

“It’s out of our DNA now – if you stuff up, we’ll support you. But if it’s serious enough, we’ve got to stand you down.”