Canterbury have officially become the first club to be sanctioned under the new concussion guidelines after the NRL rejected the club's appeal against a $20,000 fine.
The Bulldogs became the first club to receive a breach notice for not complying with the landmark rules during their round two clash with Cronulla. While half of the fine was suspended because it was a first offence, they could be up for $40,000 - and potentially other sanctions - if they are deemed to have also broken protocols during an incident involving forward James Graham in round four against Melbourne. That matter is yet to be resolved.
In their submissions relating to the initial incident, it's understood the Dogs claimed head physiotherapist Steve McCullagh was unsighted because he was tending to another player. The incident happened late in the game and second-rower Josh Jackson wasn't taken off the field to be assessed by the club doctor, as is now required. While Canterbury conceded there was a technical breach, they argued the situation could have been avoided if the NRL strengthened its own protocols. This included taking steps such as appointing independent doctors, who could tip off the orange shirts to potential problems via radio transmission. They also felt it would be harsh to be fined while clubs were still coming to grips with the new requirements. However, the governing body chose not to overturn its original decision in an indication it is taking a hardline stance on the issue.
Ironically, the NRL has indicated it could employ NFL-style concussion spotters in the stands in the future.
NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said the Bulldogs had been professional during the review process. ‘‘Importantly, the club is working with us to identify further ways the NRL could look to strengthen the guidelines as we continue to review the operations of the policy as part of our collective commitment to player welfare.’’
Other clubs have also had teething issues with the new guidelines. The Dragons were forced to play with 12 men in the dying stages of their controversial loss to Melbourne when prop Dan Hunt was taken from the field due to a concussion suffered by teammate Joel Thompson. The situation occurred because of a discrepancy between the game clock and the real time required for diagnosis.
In a recent interview, Wests Tigers forward Liam Fulton said player attitudes towards concussion were changing.
"It's a serious thing that's going on so the NRL is looking to crack down on it and make sure the health is the No.1 [priority] for the players," Fulton said. There have been concerns raised that senior players would influence club doctors by waving them away. Fulton, who has suffered a series of head knock already this year, said he would back a move towards independent assessors. "It's probably a good thing," he said. "We've got a new doctor now and I don't have a relationship with him where I can just tell him to do what I want ... The doc actually said to me the other day if my wife has a problem I can ring her up and have a chat about it. She was a bit worried with the first one because I got knocked out, I was on the stretcher for a while and she was a bit rattled."
