Rugby league legend Andrew Johns is a fan of the NRL’s concussion changes this year, but he wants one tweak made.
The NRL has given power to the Bunker to intervene and order a player off the field if they appear concussed during a game.
It happened to the Roosters twice on Saturday, when Victor Radley and Billy Smith were both ruled out of the game.
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That was despite the Chooks initially leaving them on the field, following their respective head knocks.
Johns likes an independent doctor making judgements, but says they should be present at the ground, not sitting in the Bunker.
“They’ve had to do it (the changes) because the clubs have manipulated the HIA interchange. If they didn’t manipulate it, if they were fair dinkum about it, then we wouldn’t be in this position,” Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth.
“I don’t mind the idea, but the independent doctor has to be at the game.
“You can’t be in a room like this, looking at TVs.
“I don’t mind it, the duty of care. But they have to be at the ground and working with the club doctor and working with the trainer.”
Fellow legend Brad Fittler is also a fan of the rule changes.
But, like Johns, he has a suggestion to refine the system again.
“The other thing they’ve changed is the (club) doctor at the ground is microphoned up with the trainer. I’m not sure why that feedback isn’t also going back to the Bunker,” Fittler said.
“A lot of what they’re saying and how they’re talking is all part of the decision whether (the player is) a category one, or category two (concussion).
“So I’m not sure why that dialogue isn’t passed on to the Bunker. I think it’s going to be good for the game.”
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