The NRL has confirmed plans to introduce a “Brain Bunker” for 2019

The NRL has confirmed plans to introduce a ‘Brain Bunker’ next year with concussion spotters studying every NRL game live next season.

James Graham of the Dragons is taken from the field concussed during the Elimination Final between the Brisbane Broncos and the St George-Illawarra Dragons in Week 1 of the NRL Finals Series at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Sunday, September 9, 2018. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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The NRL has confirmed plans to introduce a ‘Brain Bunker’ next year with concussion spotters studying every NRL game live next season.

Their job will be to help the club doctors and sideline experts pick up head knocks and ensure players receive proper assessment and treatment.

The NRL trialled a range of spotting techniques last year including putting doctors in the grandstand so they could see possible concussion injuries from the same vantage point as fans.

The NRL will introduce a “brain bunker” for next season. Picture by Phil Hillyard.

But analysis showed that the bunker was the most effective system with doctors being able to review footage to determine whether a player should leave the field of play to undergo a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).

It’s a move that further covers the NRL from potential legal action from retired players, like what happened in the NFL in the United States. It has cost the NFL $500 million from claims.

The NRL’s Head of Football Graham Annesley stressed that on-field doctors would still continue to be in charge of monitoring possible HIA cases.

Rugby league has to be proactive when it comes to concussion. Picture by Wesley Monts.

“They are at the ground and in the best position to make a medical decision,” he said

“But player welfare is always our priority and anything which helps identify potential head knocks is positive for the game.”

Annesley said the NRL had been liaising with other sports world wide on the best method of detecting head knocks.

He believes that the combination of doctors at the ground and backup in the bunker will put the NRL at the forefront of dealing with potential concussions.

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Originally published as The NRL has confirmed plans to introduce a “Brain Bunker” for 2019