New concussion laws are supposed to protect players from head injuries and not disadvantage clubs

THE NRL’s new concussion laws were brought in to protect players but the NRL now needs to make sure clubs aren’t being disadvantaged.

THE NRL’s new concussion laws were brought in to protect players from potentially serious head injuries - but the NRL now needs to make sure clubs aren’t being disadvantaged in the process.

While the NRL have already ruled out allowing an extended interchange system similar to those used in football leagues throughout the world, the farcical situation that emerged at Penrith last Saturday has highlighted why the game’s bosses must have an immediate rethink on this issue.

Newcastle had their hopes destroyed against Penrith after losing Darius Boyd to a hamstring injury before skipper Kurt Gidley and halfback Tyrone Roberts were forced off after suffering head knocks.

It meant the Knights finished the game with only 14 fit players - and without three of their best they went from leading 8-6 at half-time to losing the match 30-8.

News_Rich_Media: Catch the full replay from the Penrith Panther’s clash with Newcastle Knights at Sportingbet Stadium.

On top of that coach Wayne Bennett was severely limited with the use of his interchange bench throughout the second half in case he ended up with only 12 players on the field.

It just wasn’t a fair fight.

While no one is debating the merits of the new concussion guidelines, the NRL needs to ask itself whether it wants a game based on equality.

Or is it going to be a war of attrition from here on in?

The fact is clubs rarely keep outside backs or halves on their interchange benches because these type of players are only usually replaced as a result of injury and it makes more sense to have a bench dominated by forwards that can be rotated throughout the 80 minutes.

But changes to the concussion policy this year have created a whole new headache for every NRL coach.

News_Image_File: Tyrone Roberts is taken off the field after a heavy knock during the clash against the Panthers.

A simple solution would be to introduce a football-style extended bench, say seven players, that would allow teams to cover for the loss of any player.

The players could be pulled up from Holden Cup or NSW Cup and be on standby in case of emergencies.

Isn’t this about making the game safer – and better?

The NRL’s director of football operations Nathan McGuirk said the idea was discussed before the season but knocked on the head – for now.

“We have consulted with a number of different people in regards to this policy,” McGuirk said.

“The additional players was discussed but it is something we believe requires a lot more discussion across the game because there are a number of potential ramifications for the game.”

But you can bet down the track it is going to happen so why wait for next year?

In the past clubs have played Russian roulette with players suffering signs of concussion and got away with it but the threat of a potential NFL-style class action has everyone in Australian sport extremely nervous.

News_Image_File: Ian Roberts receives treatment from a trainer after suffering concussion in high tackle.

Former rugby league enforcer Ian Roberts came out on the weekend and claimed that he has brain damage as a result of his playing career.

So anything that can be done to make the game safer needs to be applauded.

But would it be such a big deal to give clubs a bit of protection in the process, so it doesn’t end up in a farce like it did at Penrith last Saturday?

The game needs to make a statement on this - and they shouldn’t be waiting until next year to do it.