NRL: Bulldogs face a $20,000 fine for not following strict concussion protocols

Fans were staggered when Lachlan Lewis played on for the Bulldogs after a head-knock in Round 4, and now his team faces a big fine.

Lachlan Lewis was eventually taken from the field after a head knock, but the Bulldogs could be in trouble for poor handling of the situation. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Canterbury will be fined $20,000 if they can’t explain why playmaker Lachlan Lewis wasn’t removed from the field after a head knock in Round 4 went untreated for two minutes before he was eventually ruled out of the game.

The Bulldogs were issued with a breach notice from the NRL on Thursday after an investigation into the incident in which Lewis copped a knock to the head while attempting to tackle South Sydney winger Josh Mansour.

Lewis fell to the ground and then struggled to stay on his feet once he made his way up off the turf.

He had to be helped by Rabbitohs players before a Bulldogs trainer came over for a closer look.

Despite the clear protocols around concussion, Lewis remained on the field for two minutes before a club trainer came back onto the field to take the five-eighth off for a head injury assessment.

Lewis failed his HIA test and was ruled him out for the remainder of the match.

In a statement on Thursday, the NRL said the rules on concussion were clear and the Bulldogs needed to explain what had happened.

“Under NRL rules, any player who exhibits clear signs of motor incoordination or possible motor incoordination must be removed from the field immediately,” the statement said.

"STAGGERING"
should be the Headline for not stepping in and getting Lachlan Lewis from the field straight away ...

— Owen Martin (@marto1059) April 2, 2021

Lachlan Lewis was allowed to remain on the field for some time after copping a bad head knock, and stumbling

Commentators and fans are not impressedhttps://t.co/xuCFeEoOCN#NRLBulldogsSouthspic.twitter.com/nGrbzPCkzR

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) April 2, 2021

“The NRL acknowledges the Bulldogs did view injury surveillance screen replays and removed Lewis from the field within two minutes of further elapsed game time.

“When considering the proposed penalty, the NRL has taken into account the club’s compliance to this part of the policy and that Lewis did not remain on the field for any tactical purpose.

“The NRL reminds clubs that all officials and coaching staff, beyond club doctors and trainers, have a responsibility to be alert to player reactions after head knocks during a game.”

The Bulldogs have five business days to respond to the breach notice.