Manly are likely to pass over the opportunity to become the first club to a seek salary cap exemption under the game’s new no-fault policy on player behaviour due to the financial and human costs of trying to replace - and then possibly reintegrate - Dylan Walker into their roster.

Walker has become the first player stood down by NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg under the new discretionary powers handed to him by the ARL Commission. The former Blues representative is contesting charges of assaulting his fiancee, to which he has pleaded not guilty, with his case scheduled to return to court on May 10. Under the new protocols, players facing charges which carrying a maximum jail term of 11 years or more are automatically stood down on full pay.

Dylan Walker has been stood down on full pay in a first for the NRL. Credit:AAP

Greenberg used his new discretionary powers to stand down Walker, although he stressed the action made no judgment on his guilt or innocence.

Walker becomes the second player stood down after St George Illawarra's Jack de Belin, who is fighting a charge of aggravated sexual assault, suffered that fate on Thursday. De Belin’s legal team has indicated they will seek an injunction, while Walker’s advisors are considering their options.