Last year it was Manly's Brett Stewart, accused of sexually assaulting a young woman. This year it's the Newcastle Knights in turmoil and battling for survival after two of its players, Danny Wicks and Chris Houston, quit the club accused of drug related offences.

And all this at a time when there is unprecedented interest in the game.

The league hierarchy must be banging their collective heads together, frustrated that some players just don't get the fact rugby league is no longer just a game. It's big business on and off the field and all its players are partners, meaning every one of them is under constant year-round scrutiny.

No such problems though at the St George Illawarra Dragons camp, where the club has enjoyed a scandal-free off-season and is in tip-top shape for another tilt at premiership honours.

It says plenty about the Dragons administration and its players under the astute Wayne Bennett, who in just one season has instilled strong leadership and discipline right across the club.

So expect some spectacular action starting tonight with the season-opening blockbuster between the Dragons and the Parramatta Eels.