NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has denied that players face increased drug testing during their post-season celebrations.

Greenberg played down reports of a crackdown on illicit drugs during team’s “Mad Monday” parties this year.

“It’s business as usual,” Greenberg told reporters at the launch of the NRL Finals series.

“Players know that they’ve got to make good decisions, both inside and outside the season, it’s not much more complex than that.”

Greenberg did confirm that the NRL’s Integrity Unit wrote to clubs, but that it was something that has also happened in previous years.

“It’s a reminder to players and the reminder’s pretty simple: make good decisions.

“Players are very much aware that when they’re away from the sport, that ASADA still has strong priorities and they’ve got to make to make good decisions and if you don’t make good decisions, they have big consequences.”

Bulldogs stand behind Hopoate

Another talking point heading into the first week of the finals is the absence of Canterbury full-back Will Hopoate for the Bulldogs elimination match against Penrith.

Will Hopoate will sit out Sunday’s match due to religious beliefs.

Hopoate will continue to honour his religious beliefs and miss another Sunday match, but captain James Graham says the team fully supports him.

“Will’s been a very important part of this team’s success in getting into finals,” Graham said.

“We were all aware of the situation and we all stand behind Will and his decision.

“We had a month there in the middle of the year practicing this situation. We were all fully aware of the situation, so it’s nothing new, it’s nothing we’ve not been prepared for.

“(We’re) fully supportive with Will and his decision. His faith defines who he is.”

No one is making up the numbers: Smith

Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith says this year’s NRL finals series is among the most open he has seen. Photo: ABC

All eight finalists were represented at the launch at the Sydney Football Stadium, ahead of what promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable finals series.

Even Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith, a seasoned September veteran, agrees that it’s one of the most open finals he has seen.

“I think so, given how open the competition was this year,” said the 2012 premiership captain.

“The minor premiership was up for grabs in the last round. Teams were swapping places in the last round of the season, so it’s wide open.

“From one to eight any team can win it. There’s no team in there making up the numbers.”

-ABC