The player would hardly be in the right frame of mind to make a decision, so it should be left up to the medical personnel.
This essentially allows for clubs to put unfair pressure on players to 'make the right decision' though.
Maybe if an NRL player was a scientist you'd say no, but blokes like Paul Gallen wouldn't have enough brain power to keep a small watch ticking over. Playing concussed might make them smarter.
This article was actually from mid-season. I'm extremely surprised that the mainstream media didn't jump on this. Using smelling salts is a pretty big thing considering the amount of discussion around concussion. Only have to look at American Football to see the damage it has done. I believe that had a $765mill settlement agreement in the works for 4,500 ex-players who sued the NFL. If similar happened in the NRL it'd bankrupt them.
It's a matter of when not if the NRL bring in rule changes. I'd be very surprised if there's not independent doctors at the least on the sidelines by 2015.
Can't agree with this. I've watched blokes who can barely/can't stand wave doctors away and won't to keep playing when it's clearly in their best interest to get off the field.
I don't agree that players should be making the call, however, team doctors should be able to make a professional decision on a players availability, rather than be forced to adhere to blanket rules.
I agree. If a player wants to stay out against medical advice & gets a more severe injury from a result of playing on with concussion, the medical staff & club would have a case to answer if the player wants to chase compensation. The medical staff & the club have a duty of care they have to adhere to. It's common sense to pull the player from the game. It's easier to live with the loss of 2 points rather than the loss of a players health or life. Besides, the clubs would not only look at it from a players health point of view, but also their own, which is protecting their investment.
