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The Rugby League Players Union claim Canterbury's Adam Elliott did not know he was being filmed before old footage of him emerged this week.

The Rugby League Players' Association claim Canterbury star Adam Elliott was filmed illegally and without his consent before being leaked to media this week.

Footage emerged on Thursday of a partially nude Elliott from a private gathering five years ago.

The footage has been passed onto the NRL's integrity unit, who have previously not taken issue with such footage if there is no lawful wrongdoing from the player.

The situation has angered both Elliott and the players' union, with the Bulldogs backrower having only become a dad earlier this year.

"The RLPA is aware of a video involving Bulldogs player Adam Elliott, which was filmed without his consent on private premises and distributed possibly unlawfully to media outlets," the RLPA said in a statement.

"Adam is an outstanding role model and ambassador for the game.

"Adam works tirelessly in the community and was recognised as a finalist for the prestigious Ken Stephen Medal last year.

"The RLPA has been in contact with Adam and he will continue to have our support in working through this matter."

The timing of the attempted leak of the video also appears questionable.

The 25-year-old is off-contract this year, and details of negotiations were revealed just earlier this week.

"The incident occurred five years ago, and the timing of the video surfacing suggests malicious intent," the RLPA said.

"The actions relating to the filming and sharing of this video are possibly unlawful, as well as both disrespectful and grossly unfair to Adam and his family."