Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz reveals details after his concussion send-off

The NRL’s use of the independent doctor has become a major talking point after the opening weekend with a couple of confusing incidents.

Jacob Kiraz of the Bulldogs . (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz has defended the NRL independent bunker’s safety first approach to concussion after he was taken off in the first half against Manly with what he described as “whiplash”.

His coach, Cameron Ciraldo, said Kiraz was “clearly fine” after the independent doctor in the bunker ordered him from the field following a collision with Kelma Tuilagi.

Kiraz was able to return in the second half but not before the Sea Eagles had scored through Reuben Garrick after Kyle Flanagan was sent to the sin bin for making contact with Tom Trbojevic as the fullback chased a loose ball.

The role of the independent doctor has been in the spotlight all week with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart accusing the NRL and RLPA of not trusting coaches to properly diagnose signs of concussion.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett went even further, saying clubs should be held more accountable and that it was time to get rid of the independent doctor.

It’s a delicate subject given the game is only trying to protect players, with the independent doctor reviewing all footage as it comes in to determine whether someone needs to be taken from the field or automatically ruled out if the warning signs are there.

“I haven’t really reviewed it and I haven’t seen a video of it or anything, but I just know it was a run and I may have got whiplash. But I was fine after it,” Kiraz said.

Jacob Kiraz of the Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“I got confused when the physio told me I had to get off. Obviously I know their (the NRL) intentions aren’t bad and they don’t want me to get out of the game, but at the time it was a crucial moment.

“I was fine, ended up passing the test and went back on in the second half. I know their intentions aren’t to get me out of the game so we can lose the game.”

Kiraz said he was frustrated to come off but made it clear that he supports the NRL’s aim to safeguard players from doing more damage to themselves.

“For me it was (frustrating) because I knew I was fine,” he said.

“For me going off and knowing I had no control over that, I knew I was fine to play and I went back on in the second half. I was frustrated because I wanted to go out and play and I knew I was fine to play.

“I know that it’s not their intentions, but it was a crucial time of the game, especially with Flanno being sin binned. There’s nothing we can do.

“The last couple of years, there have been lots of head knocks and stuff like that. After their careers, a lot of players are suffering from that so I understand the intentions.

“I still need to see the video. I felt fine because I think after the run I made an offload so I felt really fine. Whatever they did see, they only had good intentions to look after me.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo coach. Picture: NRL Photos

“As a player in the moment, I was frustrated and wanted to get back on. After it, I realised that they’re just trying to look after us.”

The winger said his side had to be better in dealing with setbacks like him coming off or Flanagan being sent to the bin, with the Bulldogs desperate to bounce back against a weakened Storm side on Saturday night.

“This stuff is going to happen where players are sent off by the independent doctor and then the sin bin happened. As a team, we need to know how to handle it better,” he said.

“We were defending the whole first half, but this stuff is going to happen and we need to practise dealing with it better. We can’t use it as an excuse.”

Originally published as Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz reveals details after his concussion send-off