The NRL is wading its way through the concussion minefield just like every other sport, but it could do worse than copy a measure being used by the AFL this season and introduce a “concussion sub”.
Last night, the Warriors finished their match against the North Queensland Cowboys with 12-men.
It was through sheer bad luck that two players went down with head knocks inside the last 10-minutes.
Fullback Kevin Locke was thumped, albeit legally, by Kane Linnett in a tackle in the 72nd minute and was taken from the field.
Two minutes later, Ben Henry was also escorted looking worse for wear leaving the Warriors a man short for the closing stages because coach Matthew Elliott had already used all of his interchanges.
The Cowboys would score to reduce the margin to two-points, but the Warriors held on to record their first win of the season.
If the Warriors were an AFL side they would’ve been able to use a “concussion sub”.
In the AFL, a player is able to come from the field for a 20-minute period to be assessed by medical officials and the coach is allowed to send a replacement on so his side isn’t left fighting against the odds.
There’s a catch though.
If the player being assessed returns to the field inside the 20-minute period then the opposition gets a free kick and a 50m penalty.
It’s a way of stopping perceived rorting.
The Warriors had an important choice to make last night and they landed on the side of good.
Henry was clearly groggy and needed to be relieved of his duties, but Elliott knew in doing so he would leave his team a man short with the match in the balance.
A concussion sub would make a difference to the decision making process.
Teams shouldn’t be penalised for making responsible decisions when it comes to concussion.
The Warriors pulled a man from the field even though it was going to disadvantage them.
Where is the reward for making the correct choice?
Elliott said he normally would’ve had interchanges up his sleeve, but three outside backs getting injured, including a rib injury to Dane Nielsen in the first half, left him short.
There should be provisions to deal with these situations.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
This ^^ is what I'm wary of. Melbourne will push it and ruin for players with genuine injuries.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Unfortunately that opens it up for teams to fake an injury to receive an extra player. Injuries are part and parcel of the game. I don't mind a concussion sub. I recall a few years back in European Rugby, a forward faked a busted jaw so the team could sub him for a goal kicker. The kicker stepped up and won the match. This came out the next season at the conclusion of investigation. The last thing the game needs is a club faking an injury in a grand final and the player that comes one wins the match.
Dr NRL
Roar Rookie
The concussion sub is a terrific idea. Concussion is just too serious to put into the same category as a sprained ankle. Time has moved on. The sub is difficult to 'game' because a player replaced in this fashion should automatically stand down the week after without question. This makes the decision to invoke the concussion replacement a 2-week decision. drnrl.wordpress.com has been a vocal critic of the NRL's approach to concussion, along with major issues such as obstruction (which I'm glad to see has bowed to common sense) and shoulder charges. It's high time the NRL began leading, rather than following (if it even gets that far). Dr NRL
Matt John Canty
Guest
I think its all a joke what the NRL is doing so id prefer if they didn't make it any worse. Banning shoulder charges was just the start. I hope they dont make a "concussion rule"...soon the game will turn into soccer! Rugby League is supposed to be the toughest sport in the world and that is why fans love it so lets keep it that way. If not then why not make a scratch rule: If a player has a scratch or grass burn they can come from the field and the game is stopped for 20 minutes while the scratch or grass burn is assessed. All players in the tackle where the player got the scratch or grass burn should be sent off and banned for life from the NRL
Vic Bitta
Guest
Good idea but can you imagine how Craig Bellamy would flaunt the rule. He would coach his players on how to feign concussion so they could get replaced.He stretches every rule in the book. Look at Kung Fu Billy and Ref coach Cam.
kid
Guest
Don't think there'd be many who would say linnett used a shoulder charge. But i get your point that the outcomes were simillar.
dave
Guest
I don't agree withj the idea of a concussion sub. Coaches have ten interchanges to play with, if they need to keep one up their sleeve for injuries thats what they should do. Why do we need to treat concussion injuries different to any other injury, at the end of the day it is just a footy related injury. Why do you get an extra replacement for a head injury over a broken leg - at the end of the day they are both the result of a physical contact sport. Coaches need to be smarter and not get caught short with time still on the clock, not all replacements have to be tactical.
planko
Roar Guru
Kane Linnett's tackle so similar to Richie Fa'asos it was scary yet nothing will come of it. I am not saying it should but it is a fine line. This was a front on legal heavy tackle. There was not a lot of arm in it enjoy debating it.
Meesta Cool
Guest
This needs to go a step furher than concussion, If a Player is unable to return to the field, the option should be to replace him. It should never come to the point where a game finishes with one team having 4 men on the bench and the other zero. This was not the first instance of this, I seem to remember Newcastle being in the same position a few year ago ... It's so wrong.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
. . . . . . . . and all the Gary Jack "head injuries" that go with it??