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After Sam Burgess escaped with a suspended fine for his judiciary criticism, ex-Manly coach Geoff Toovey has hinted at double standards by the NRL.

Former Manly coach Geoff Toovey has hinted at double standards after Sam Burgess escaped with a $10,000 suspended fine for describing the NRL judiciary as a "kangaroo court".

South Sydney captain Burgess avoided a hefty fine after issuing a public apology following a meeting with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg, admitting he had used "the wrong choice of words".

But Toovey wondered why others were not given the same chance to personally plead their case with Greenberg after landing in hot water with the NRL.

"It was a great cup of coffee, that's for sure," Toovey told Fox Sports' NRL 360 when told of Burgess' suspended fine after meeting with Greenberg.

Toovey cited his own infamous 2013 incident when he furiously called for an investigation after slamming officials in the Sea Eagles' 22-10 loss to South Sydney.

He was fined $10,000 for the post-match spray and then unsuccessfully appealed despite it being his first offence.

"I didn't get the opportunity to have a cup of coffee obviously," Toovey said.

Former Cronulla premiership winner Michael Ennis questioned why Greenberg had chosen to speak one-on-one with Burgess in the first place after the judiciary criticism.

"I understand Sam was extremely frustrated and the fact is he has come out and said he got his words wrong and they have moved on," he told NRL 360.

"But I just don't understand why they came out and said they are going to have a sit down and have this big meeting with him and then come up with a $10,000 suspended fine.

"It's no doubt a little murky to be honest."

Burgess landed in hot water after venting his frustration over a one-game ban for a hair pull during the opening week of the finals, also claiming the judiciary was becoming a "trial by media".

Cronulla great Paul Gallen hoped Burgess had now put the issue behind him ahead of Friday's preliminary final against Canberra, claiming the Rabbitohs leader had looked distracted on the field.

"I think the problem with Sam is that he has had so many issues off field with suspensions, he never thinks he is wrong, he always thinks he is hard done by," Gallen told Nine Network's 100% Footy.

"The fact is he has been suspended, he is back playing now, just worry about playing footy and doing your job for your team.

"He has got to let it go. There is no point worrying about what happened two weeks ago (hair pull ban).

"He's got to go out and play the way he plays. That's physical, aggressive and within the rules - if he doesn't do anything silly he is the best player on the field."