NRL star James Graham reacts to AIS’ special report, key changes to concussion protocols

Retired NRL star James Graham has applauded the monumental changes recommended by the AIS - and pinpointed the moment he felt rugby league’s attitude to concussions finally changed.

Former NRL hardman James Graham has applauded the Australian Institute of Sport’s radical plan to tackle concussion in recreational sport while calling on the professional football codes to back the changes.

Graham - who has become an advocate for player safety after he suffered multiple head knocks during his playing career - said the suggested reforms to junior and community sport were a sign of how far things had changed since his playing days.

“I’m really pleased that we’re taking this issue seriously,” he said.

“I know culture is a bit of a buzzword, but back to my time, even as a junior growing up, people didn’t even know what a concussion was.”

When it comes to speaking about the problems of concussion in rugby league, few people are more passionate about the cause than Graham, who offered more than 100 head traumas during his career.

Ex-NRL star James Graham has become a leading voice in he debate around concussion in sport. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

He recently underwent scans which showed he has suffered brain damage from all the hits he took, and has made it his mission to prevent the same from happening to others.

He said the AIS recommendations, which include minimum three week stand downs and more education for players, parents and coaches, were a major step in the right direction.

“I’m a big advocate for the education piece. I think the more awareness and the more informed decisions that we can make, the better we can become,” he said

“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to a number of the NRL clubs, actually, I think we are starting to see that culture shift.

“The biggest example of that was Joseph Suaalli taking himself off at half time in the Roosters v Cronulla game in the finals last year… recognising he’s got a concussion.”

Joseph Suaalii removing himself from an elimination final due to concussion showed the steps the NRL have taken are working. Picture: Getty

The NRL is among a number of major sports that have not endorsed the proposed changes.

A spokesman said the NRL was still reviewing its position but James said he hoped all sports would eventually sign up.

“I think they’re taking the right approach in terms of wanting to know more but how much more do you need to know?” James said.

“It’s probably a very delicate situation for them in terms of the fabric of the game and how much does it change?

“They’re taking their time to fully understand the implications of the change, because sometimes change can create a whole new host of problems.

“For me, the most important aspect of all this is the education piece because the best tool for diagnosis is honesty..

“Even at the junior level and the community level people are incentivised to lie. And I understand that because that was me but the more we can say that it’s okay to come off with concussion, the more we can drill into the players you need to be honest, the better.”

Brandon Smith of the Roosters is taken off for concussion. Picture: Getty

MAJOR SPORTS DODGE STEPS TO TACKLE KIDS’ CONCUSSION CRISIS

The reaction from Australian sports to the AIS recommendations around junior and club sports has been mixed.

While a number of major sporting bodies, including the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia, have already endorsed the plan, some of the most popular and powerful sports in the country remain undecided.

These include members of COMPPS – the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS): Cricket Australia, AFL, NRL, Football Australia, Rugby Australia, Netball Australia and Tennis Australia.

They haven’t ruled out agreeing to the recommendations but some have asked for more details.