South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL news: Cameron Murray’s candid HIA admission

Souths skipper Cameron Murray admits players are still fighting an internal battle between ‘self-preservation’ and not letting their team down when it comes to head knocks.

Cameron Murray suffered a head knock against the Roosters in round 25. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

South Sydney captain Cameron Murray has responded to accusations that he is disguising concussion symptoms to stay on the field and made a candid admission that should ring alarm bells for the NRL.

Murray was cleared to play in the Rabbitohs’ elimination final win over the Sydney Roosters last Sunday having suffered a concussion the week before trying to tackle Kevin Naiqama.

In last Sunday’s physical encounter, the hardworking lock appeared to cop a head knock attempting to tackle Roosters prop Matt Lodge.

Then was rattled by a hit from Jared Waerea-Hargreaves – who drove Murray’s head into the ground – in the second half.

Murray was not taken off the field after either incident, raising questions about whether the 24-year-old had disguised symptoms that would alert trainers and concussion spotters.

Cameron Murray has refuted claims he disguising concussion symptoms. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Murray strongly refuted the claims when put to him by News Corp.

“Every player I know just loves playing footy,” Murray said.

“So nobody wants to come off and not play.

“And when you’re in the heat of the moment, when emotions are running high, there’s not a lot of thought around, you know, what’s right for you in that moment. It’s all about what’s right for the team. And you don’t want to let the team down.

“So I’m not saying that players are getting better at it because I don’t think you can mask a concussion symptom.

“You know, if you’re concussed you can’t play it off, you know.

“I have been concussed and you know, a lot of other players have. It’s not easy to hide.

Cameron Murray has suffered three concussions in the past 12 months. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

“The game is getting a lot better in identifying it and protecting players, and there’s probably still a little bit to go, but I guess it’s just a natural progression to make sure that we continue to get better to protect the safety of our players.”

Murray has suffered three concussions in the last 12 months, including a head knock in the Origin decider in July.

The NRL has a number of measures to protect players from the impact of concussion, like head injury assessments, return to play protocols and independent doctors. But at all stages, there is a reliance on self-reporting of symptoms from players.

And while Murray insisted players understood the seriousness of brain injury, worryingly for the NRL, the NSW forward revealed some players are still fighting an internal battle between ‘self-preservation’ and putting the team first.

“When I’m out there playing footy, I just want to do the best for my team … I try not to think too much about … you don’t think too much about self-preservation,” he said. “You just try to do the best for your team.”

As Murray prepares to line-up against Cronulla in Saturday night’s semi-final, the NRL is weighing a number of new concussion protocols, including a mandatory stand down and reduced contact at training.

Cameron Murray after copping a knock against the Roosters. Picture: NRL Imagery

But for the players who need those measures most, the players willing to put their team ahead of their own self-preservation, those rules are unlikely to be introduced any time soon.

Murray believes tighter game-wide mandates designed to protect players from the long-term impacts of repeated concussion would be welcome by the wider NRL playing group.

“If we add up the total times that we’re doing contact more than half of them would be during training sessions if we count the pre-season,” Murray said.

“So it makes sense to look at that type of thing.

“I guess it makes sense to keep listening to the science and the research that’s going around it and just jump on the back of what the professionals are saying.”

Demetriou’s last laugh on ‘Bennett curse’ with new deal

-David Riccio

Jason Demetriou’s outstanding rookie season at Redfern is set to be rewarded with a deserved contract extension.

The South Sydney coach is set to prolong his future with the Rabbitohs until at least the end of 2024, providing further stability for the club.

Demetriou, in his first NRL season, was appointed to take over from Supercoach Wayne Bennett on a two-year contract.

Currently in his first season, there is a third year option for 2024 written into the contract which Demetriou and the South Sydney management are in agreement they want to take up.

Jason Demetriou has been rewarded for an outstanding rookie campaign at the helm of South Sydney.

The club’s finals push, where they face Cronulla at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, has only reaffirmed the Rabbitohs belief in the 46-year-old mentor.

He becomes the first coach to avoid the dreaded post-Bennett curse — a poisoned chalice that has seen every man who has followed the coaching great not lasting long.

Ivan Henjak (sacked by the Broncos in 2011), Steve Price (Dragons 2014), Rick Stone (Knights 2015) and Anthony Seibold (Broncos 2020) all struggled in Bennett’s shadow.

The Rabbitohs board have been impressed with Demetriou’s ability to galvanise the team through difficult periods of the season, notably the omission of star fullback Latrell Mitchell for almost three months mid-year.

Demetriou also had to deal with the departure of gun halfback Adam Reynolds and strike centre Dane Gagai at the start of the season.

Adam Reynolds, who left South Sydney last off-season, scores a try against his former club.

Yet here the Rabbitohs are, within striking distance of another grand final appearance, following on from last year’s effort under Bennett.

“Jason has done a fantastic job this season, faced some very difficult challenges and remained incredibly composed,’’ CEO Blake Solly said.

“In his four seasons with us, Jason has bought into the culture of our club – from the work of Souths Cares, the partnership with Souths Juniors and everything we try to do on and off the field.

“He deserves a huge amount of credit for the performances over the last three months.

“Everybody’s immediate focus is on Saturday’s game and trying to beat the Sharks to keep our Finals campaign going.

“We have had some discussions about 2024, and we’ll finalise these after this season finishes.”

Demetriou talks to then-head coach Wayne Bennett in 2020. Picture: Getty

As revealed in last Sunday’s Telegraph, Demetriou beat six other candidates to secure the job of taking over from Bennett.

The club’s succession plan was rubber-stamped by former GM of football Shane Richardson.

Richardson gave an insight into the performance of Demetriou this season.

“He lost some key players last year and had to replace them internally,’’ Richardson said.

“He lost Latrell at the start of the year, which cost them games that they may have won and put them in the top four.

“Coaching is about winning and no one knows that more than Jason.

“But we put Jason on to be the long-term coach of the club.

“We’d like to think Jason had a career for as long as he can.’’

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Originally published as South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL news: Cameron Murray’s candid HIA admission