Calls For The NRL To Step Up And Implement Independent Doctors For Concussion

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Article heading image for Calls For The NRL To Step Up And Implement Independent Doctors For Concussion

Talk that the NRL needs to hire independent doctors to assess concussions is gaining strength, with Souths CEO Shane Richardson saying that the onus should be on the NRL to cover the costs since they've implemented stricter concussion rules.

Following concern regarding the handling of Sam Burgess' knock in Thursday night's loss to the Roosters, Richardson has said that club doctor Andrew McDonald was treating Siosifa Talakai for concussion when Burgess went down, but McDonald acted as quickly as he could to get Burgess off for testing.

“In my opinion, it would be helpful if we had an independent doctor on the sidelines to assess players straight away. Club doctors can’t be in two places at the one time. And our club doctors have to deal with so much during a game as it is," Richardson told the Daily Telegraph.

“It’s an expense issue for the NRL more than anything else, and that’s not to be critical of them."

This comes after a big week or so of headlines for the NRL about the handling of concussions.

The NRL dished out huge fines to the Dragons, Titans and Knights for failure to follow concussion protocols, and it's unclear at the time of writing whether Souths win incur any fine for the several minutes that Burgess remained on the field.

Burgess was hit awkwardly on the jaw while trying to complete a tackle a few minutes out from halftime, and was hooked before the 40 minute mark.

He didn't return after failing the final stages of the concussion test.

24 March 2017




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