Bulldogs v Tigers: Concussion controversy as Pat Richards free interchange leads to penalty goal

THE concussion rule is set up for controversy and the Tigers might have crossed the line, with the Bulldogs complaining about a Pat Richards interchange.

Pat Richards of the Tigers kicks a 55 metre penalty on half time during the Canterbury Bulldogs v Wests Tigers NRL round 8 game at ANZ Stadium, Homebush. pic Mark Evans

IT WAS only a matter of time before a club flaunted the concussion rules.

Canterbury officials were far from impressed on Friday night when Wests Tigers sharpshooter Pat Richards came from the field in the 26th minute.

Richards came off his wing looking for some work, carted the ball up the middle, only to come off second best in a collision with Dogs’ forward Lloyd Perrett.

The winger didn’t lose consciousness, wasn’t groggy, rose quickly to his feet, but had blood trickling out of a nasty cut to his left cheek.

Referee Jared Maxwell blew time off when he spotted Richards’ face.

Pat Richards scores a try after coming back on following a head knock.

Perrett wasn’t placed on report. There was nothing wrong with the tackle.

FRESH PRINCE ARRIVES AS TIGERS THUMP DOGS

However, Tigers medicos thought they’d take Richards from the field for a concussion test.

By doing so, this allowed for a free interchange.

A fresh-legged Chris Lawrence took the field, and wasn’t counted as one of the 10 interchanges.

Bulldogs football general manager Alan Thompson was aware of what had just gone down, and voiced his concerns with an official on the sideline.

Richards returned to the field just before half-time when the Tigers received a penalty.

Despite the Tigers’ being five metres inside their own half, skipper Robbie Farah knew Richards was one of the few men in the game who could launch the ball from long-range, and gave him the chance.

Richards made no mistake.

In the end, Richards’ return had no bearing on the result.

But what would have happened had there been a similar frivolous concussion claim in September?

The NRL vowed to investigate any club who tried to used these rules to their advantage.

Just three weeks ago, the ARL Commission approved changes to the concussion rules, which focused on when a player should be removed from the field.

But what about the free interchanges given to players not under the weather?

What is the difference with players milking penalties?

Gagging coaches from speaking their minds meant Canterbury coach Des Hasler wouldn’t have been able to give his thoughts post match.

Originally published as Bulldogs v Tigers: Concussion controversy as Pat Richards free interchange leads to penalty goal