Ex-players urge NBL to follow the AFL’s lead and introduce a doctor in the Replay Centre to monitor concussion

Calls have come for a doctor in the NBL Replay Centre to ensure concussed players are taken from the court following an incident in Perth on the weekend.

Former players have urged the NBL to follow the AFL’s lead and use a doctor in the Replay Centre as extra eyes to spot concussed players after Perth came under-fire for leaving import Kristian Doolittle on the floor following a head knock.

Three-time championship-winning Wildcat Matt Knight was “shocked” to see Doolittle stay on the court for nine minutes after suffering a hit to the head during last Saturday’s win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Knight is qualified to speak.

He suffered 15 concussions throughout his 10-year career, forcing him to medically retire in 2017.

He still suffers headaches and dizziness, and while he hasn’t suffered memory loss, he has fears for the future.

Knight watched the Phoenix clash and couldn’t believe the Wildcats didn’t take a “clearly struggling” Doolittle out of the game earlier.

Former Wildcat Matt Knight wants the NBL to ramp up its concussion prevention. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

The Perth forward looked dazed and kept grabbing his head after running into a Mitch Creek screen at the start of the third quarter.

Perth confirmed Doolittle suffered a concussion against the Phoenix and is in doubt for Friday’s home game against Brisbane.

“Kristian is currently in our concussion return to play protocols,” a Wildcats spokesman said.

“He’s recovering well and completing the step-by-step program each day which is assessed on a case-by-case basis.”

Knight would also like to see the NBL join the AFL and introduce a doctor in the Replay Centre to monitor potential concussions – and avoid a repeat of the Doolittle delay.

“Most leagues in the world are doing it, and if you want to be considered one of the best leagues in the world, then that stuff you’ve got to take serious,” declared Knight, who called on the NBL to adopt a mandatory 12-day stand down for concussion earlier this season.

“Hire a doctor to sit in the replay centre and their job is to let teams know if they see any concussions.

“Nine minutes out on the court is a long time when you’re not with it.

“He (Doolittle) didn’t look good at all and someone should have picked it up.

“The NBL needs to start taking concussion seriously.”

NBL commentator Peter Hooley pointed out the incident – which left Doolittle shaken and grabbing his head – and called for the Wildcats import to immediately assessed.

“Doolittle needs to come out of this game,” Hooley said in the broadcast.

Doolittle finally got subbed out with 4.55 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Kristian Doolittle wasn’t removed from the court. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The Wildcats later confirmed the forward had suffered a concussion in the Phoenix game and was in doubt for Friday’s home clash against Brisbane.

Hooley doubled down on his comments in commentary when contacted on Tuesday. He believes the NBL should involve video technology to assist with any potential concussions during games.

“I think there’s a way the replay centre can have a part in this going forward,” Hooley told CODE Sports.

The Doolittle incident prompted Hooley to also declare that basketball as a sport is “really poor at trying to look after the head”.

Melbourne United have been thorough when dealing with concussions involving Matthew Dellavedova and Shea Ili.

However, the Doolittle delay wasn’t a good look for Perth and it’s why Hooley was within his rights to call it out.

“Any player that has to deal with any sort of concussion – just watching it – it gives me a shivers to be honest,” he said.

“Because he has been doing this since they bumped heads and the immediate reaction of trying to find his balance is really unsettling to watch.”

The NBL provided Code Sports with a statement, confirming the league is investigating the Doolittle concussion during the round 15 clash between the Wildcats and the Phoenix.

“The NBL has a concussion protocol which it works closely on with the clubs. Part of that policy is reviewing situations where concussions occur, which includes the Kristian Doolittle concussion last Saturday night,” the statement read.

Originally published as Ex-players urge NBL to follow the AFL’s lead and introduce a doctor in the Replay Centre to monitor concussion