NRL Coaches’ Survey 2022: Officials on high alert after coaches’ concussion response
The NRL will consider more adjustments to the game’s concussion guidelines after coaches’ claimed the rules were being exploited.
The NRL is experimenting with fresh technology to help doctors and trainers diagnose concussion.
Chief executive Andrew Abdo confirmed that testing was being carried out when asked about the results of The Daily Telegraph’s coaches’ poll, which revealed that the vast majority of coaches believed their counterparts were rorting the concussion guidelines.
“Whenever you see the word rort it is of concern,” Abdo said. “It doesn’t surprise me that the coaches are suspicious of each other. Their job is to outwit, outsmart and outplay their fellow coaches. But I am confident we have systems in place and we will be tightening that.
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“There have already been some changes around how that works in terms of on-report and the interchange. I think that is a positive step.
“There may be other adjustments we make leading into the start of the season around some of the interpretations. But we have a lot of eyes on the game and a lot of reviews on the game following each and every match.”
Abdo said that the NRL head office was now working on plans to help club officials and the game identify concussions with more certainty.
“Player welfare is incredibly important,” he said.
“We need to be able to have systems in place to make sure the players get the medical care they need. Again, we are looking at what technology improvements we can make ahead of the new season.
“We need to make sure the system is not being abused and we will continue to do that.”
MOLAN BACKS BID TO SHINE LIGHT ON TROLLS
Erin Molan has applauded a virtual cry for help from NRL coaches who fear social media abuse is impacting their players’ performance and wellbeing.
Molan, a Sky News presenter and an anti-cyber bullying advocate, says results from an exclusive NRL coaches’ poll is proof that the game’s leading mentors want to put a spotlight on the potential damage from social media.
Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr is the latest NRL player to be on the receiving end of vile social media abuse — an alleged racial attack on his social media platforms last month.
The matter remains an on-going police investigation.
Rookie Broncos players Jordan Riki and Tesi Niu copped horrific social media abuse last year, which were investigated by the NRL.
Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell took action which led to charges against two men following their racial abuse on social media, while Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary spoke last year about being “paralysed‘ by “trolls”.
Aware of the heightning issue within the game, The Daily Telegraph asked 31 NRL and assistant coaches: Is the impact of social media trolls/abuse on your players an increasing concern? A total of 27 coaches (87.1 per cent) said yes.
Only two coaches said no, while the remaining two coaches preferred not to answer. Molan said the results were both confronting and enlightening.
“There‘s been this mentality from coaches for so many years that their players should “just get off social media”, “why are you on it?”, “don’t look at it,’’ Molan said.
“And I think there is now this acceptance that it is a huge part of young people’s lives.
“So an acknowledgment from coaches that it’s a huge issue and that it does affect their mental health and that steps need to be taken to help players deal and cope with some pretty vial content is a really great place to start.”
Molan has openly discussed her own struggles with cyber-bullying in the past. It was her personal stories and bravery to petition for the change of legislation around online abuse, that a bill was officially passed in Federal parliament last year.
“When I started talking about this, I don’t think people really understood what the issue was or how damaging it could be,’’ Molan said.
“Now I think there has been enough exposure as to how bad this can be. People genuinely understand that it’s a real issue and the impact can be horrific in some cases.
“This result from the coaches gives me a lot of confidence that coaches really understand just how damaging this can be for their players.
“And if coaches want to get the best out of their players, which they do, they need every part of their player to be in a happy, safe, secure place and social media impacts that.
“So it’s in their interest to be a part of a solution in making sure its a safe and secure place for their players.’’
WEST IS BEST: COACHES WEIGH IN ON NRL EXPANSION
By Brent Read and Travis Meyn
ARL Commissioner Kate Jones would love to see another team in Queensland but she will be forced to wait if NRL coaches have their way.
A pre-season Daily Telegraph poll of head and assistant coaches has revealed that of the 31 responses, more than half believe the NRL should be looking west when the time comes to add an 18th team to the premiership.
The news will be a fillip for the consortium ready to launch a bid for a team in Perth, but it comes as a blow to Jones and the hopes of adding another side in the sunshine state.
Not one of the coaches who responded to the survey voted for Queensland when it came to expansion.
A handful of coaches endorsed New Zealand as the next destination, while six said the game shouldn’t add another team.
Expansion has been a buzz word in the game in recent years following the NRL’s decision to pursue a 17th franchise, which culminated in the decision to add The Dolphins from 2023.
Key powerbrokers at Rugby League Central subsequently opened the door for further expansion down the track, putting potential bid teams on notice.
Jones, formerly the Minister tourism and major events in Queensland, made no secret of where her allegiances lay.
“It’s so exciting that we are going to see a 17th team here in Queensland,” Jones said. “I’d love to see an 18th team here based in Queensland.”
While 18 teams is some way off, the coaches were divided over whether there was enough talent in the game for a 17th team. Of the 31 respondents, 15 said the talent wasn’t there and 14 felt it was. Two coaches chose not to answer the question.
HELP WANTED: NRL COACHES REVEAL MENTAL DEMONS
NRL coaches say they are struggling with mental health issues and have called on the game’s governing body to offer more support.
A candid poll of the game’s head and assistant coaches revealed a strong majority had mental health concerns for either themselves or their peers. NRL boss Andrew Abdo has vowed to offer the men in the spotlight more assistance.
The results showed 58.1 per cent of coaches felt mental health was an issue. Of the 31 polled across the game, 22.6 per cent preferred not to answer and 19.4 per cent thought there was not a problem. Coaches are arguably the most scrutinised in the game with pressure mounting when their teams struggle.
Abdo said he understood the strain the coaches felt.
“The expectation and the weight of fans, mentoring and developing young players, in a very competitive environment, I understand that,” Abdo said.
“Clearly the coaches are important stakeholders of the game and we want to make sure they are getting the support they need.”
Coaches were also quite emphatic in their belief that they did not receive enough support from the NRL. Just 18.4 per cent of those surveyed agreed that head office provided support networks compared to a whopping 74.2 per cent of coaches saying they did not receive enough support with less than seven per cent answering the question.
Brian Canavan, the part-time chief executive of the coaches association, put forward a proposal to the commission on Monday.
“We invest and work with the clubs on wellbeing and education,” Abdo said. “It is not just for the players, it is also for the officials including the coaches. If there is more support required that is something we will have to look at. Being mentally fit and in a good head space is important for all of us. (Coaching) is a stressful environment. If there is more we need to do, we will absolutely look at it.
“(Brian) put a proposal to the ARL Commission on Monday over funding. It would have four pillars, one of which would be the mental health and well being of coaches.”
BLUE WAVE: NSW HOME TO NRL’S BEST TALENT
Tom Trbojevic can now add being the most wanted player by rival coaches to his growing list of accolades.
The Manly superstar clearly dominated the poll after current NRL head and assistant coaches were asked “who is the best player outside your club”.
Trbojevic sat on top of the list with 58.6 per cent. Penrith’s premiership-winning captain Nathan Cleary was next best (27.6 per cent) with NSW skipper James Tedesco third pick with 10.3 per cent. Trbojevic said he was humbled by the news.
“It’s really nice to hear that from the coaches and a genuine honour but I love Manly and working with Des and my teammates,” Trbojevic said.
Manly boss Steve Humphreys predicted his star player to improve on his record-breaking season.
I am not surprised by Tom’s rating from the coaches,” Humphreys said. “He is a superb player and I see no reason why he won’t continue to improve his game. I mean that.
“We are very fortunate to have Tom at Manly and I’m sure he and his teammates will give us lots to cheer about for years ahead.”
There were no Queenslanders in the list with new South Sydney captain Cameron Murray the only other player receiving votes.
The Blues are in the midst of their own dynasty having won three of their past four series. It is a far cry from what the results would have shown in recent years given the dominance of Queensland highlighted by Cameron Smith, Jonathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.
The likes of million-dollar men including Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster, Ben Hunt and Jason Taumalolo did not receive a vote.
There was little surprise in Trbojevic topping the poll given his clean-sweep of awards on offer last season. He took home the Dally M, the Players Champion, the ABC player of the year and the Wally Lewis Medal.
While coaches may be dreaming to get their hands on Trbojevic, they are going to be tormented by the 25-year-old for years to come. Trbojevic, alongside brother Jake, is contracted to the Sea Eagles until at least the end of 2026.
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