CANBERRA chairman John McIntyre last night urged problem player Todd Carney to accept the club's disciplinary proposal "for his own good" when he appears before its board today.

"I just hope the bloke and his manager [David Riolo] decide to agree with the proposal that we have put to him, because it provides him with an opportunity to get his life and career back in order," McIntyre said. "We believe it is for his own good."

It is clear the club does not intend backing away from its plan to stand down Carney from playing for the rest of the season, fine him $20,000 and have him undertake community work, return to counselling and not drink alcohol for the remainder of his contract, which runs out at the end of 2010.

This follows his latest alcohol-fuelled incident, when he allegedly urinated on the head of a fellow nightclub patron following Canberra's home win over Sydney Roosters on July 20.

The board will also consider information the club has gathered on an incident at Goulburn Workers' Club last Saturday night, when a group Carney was in was involved in a verbal altercation with another group.

It is understood the club's information is that Carney didn't do anything wrong, but that he was drinking alcohol, and the feeling at Canberra is that for him to be drinking publicly at all when his career is under the microscope was unwise.

That incident is not expected to lead to the club imposing an even tougher penalty, but it will make it more difficult for Carney to argue that the penalty that was originally proposed should be reduced.

Unless the 22-year-old halfback can come up with something extraordinary in his argument to the board, Carney, who is desperate to play again this year as the Raiders challenge for a finals spot, will be left to either accept the penalty or face being sacked and having to sit out next season.

NRL chief executive David Gallop has said the league would deregister Carney for 2009 if he was sacked by the Raiders and signed for another NRL club. It is possible the league could try to have the deregistration honoured in the English Super League as well, to prevent Carney from picking up a club there.

Canberra, having sidelined Carney for two games already, are prepared to risk harming their chances of making the finals to do what it believes is the right thing by the player. The club also feels it owes it to their sponsors, members and fans to take drastic action.

Raiders great Laurie Daley, who coached Carney in the Country Origin side this year, supported the club in its stance and also urged Carney to accept the penalty.

"I've had a bit to do with Todd and he's a good kid," Daley said. "He couldn't have been any better than he was in the Country camp, but it is clear from other things that have happened that he has a few issues to do with alcohol that he needs to address.

"That part of the penalty that deals with his intake of alcohol is the most important part of the plan, in my view. The penalty is pretty strong, but football clubs have a responsibility to try to help young men become better people as well as better players and that's what Canberra is trying to do.

"I think Todd should accept the penalty. I think the five-point plan protects the player as much as it does the club and gives him an opportunity to get himself right. Anyone with the track record Todd has must realise he can't afford to do anything silly or irresponsible.

"Two years off the drink isn't a bad option, I think. He's got a contract reportedly worth $400,000 a year, so he's got a commitment to the club. He may feel a bit hard done by, but that's the proposition that is in front of him and I don't think he's got a lot of options.

"My advice to him would be to accept it and prove to everyone that he can come back next season as a stronger person and maybe an even better player as well. Hopefully, he feels that way too and accepts that he has got a responsibility. I would much prefer Todd reaches his potential and I think this is the way for him to move forward."

¡Brisbane centre Justin Hodges was last night found guilty of a grade-one contrary conduct charge at the NRL judiciary. He will be suspended for two matches.