Concussion replacement on NRL agenda

[mozgrame]

South Sydney coach Michael Maguire has thrown cautious support behind the introduction of an 18th player amid fears it could be open to exploitation.

The NRL competition committee will on Wednesday debate the addition of an extra man onto every reserves bench which could be used in case of concussion or foul play.

"It's something that the game definitely needs to look at," Maguire said.

"They've really probably got to make sure they test it because there's so many areas that can be scrutinised with the 18th man. I'm sure we'll nut that out."

Read more...http://au.sports.yahoo.com/league/a/35008328/concussion-replacement-on-meeting-agenda/#page1

 

[ricardo]

I can't see how they can possibly police exploitation.

I'm old school. Ditch the interchange and just have four replacements... once you're off you're off.

It will bring back the little guy running around tired forwards I used to love so much!!

 

[Frogz]

They exploit it now to get a free interchange, so what does another player achieve.

 

[Brissie Kid]

Crazy idea NRL. The teams already have 4 bench players. How many is ever enough for NRL coaches? 10 bench players? 20?

 

[Eagles2nv]

Foul play is one thing, but concussions are hard to police.

So basically, 10 mins to go all of a sudden a forward 'hits' his head and the team doctor sends off for a HIA, bringing on the fresh legs.

The only way to try make it somewhat fairer is to have indepenent/NRL appointed health professionals making the calls. On the same note, players can lie about thier condition to force the Dr to send them up the tunnel.

To be honest, with HIA's and the drama's in the last year about clubs leaving players on the field, I think its time that the NRL took it out of the clubs hands and used an independent health professional to make the calls on players conditions.

The teams own staff have the clubs interest as well as the players welfare when making decisions.

 

[HappilyManly]

Concussion would be one of the easiest injuries to fake.

The 18th man is just an extra player that all Coaches will exploit.😎

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Ian Roberts's brain injury was referred to in another thread but I just came across this story, he is wanting to bring it out in the open.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/rug...-this-conversation/ar-BBIVLWC?ocid=spartandhp

 

[Harvies elbow]

Queen Arthur was the King of making a mockery of the rules last year.

If that makes sense.....

 

[johnperi01]

I was banging on about this to other supporters last year; when so many players are taken out by foul play, but the only penalty for the offending team is a player on report.
More often than not the concussed player has to sit out the rest of the game, and the team then has only 3 on their interchange so they are effectively punished twice by the foul play. Unless they start sinbinning players, then I think it’s a good move.

 

[wombatgc]

The offending player should be shot.

 

[40 years an eagle]

so many players are taken out by foul play, but the only penalty for the offending team is a player on report.
More often than not the concussed player has to sit out the rest of the game, and the team then has only 3 on their interchange so they are effectively punished twice by the foul play.

You hit the nail on the head.

The solution is to strongly penalise the offending team for foul play/intended injuries... not finding a way to lessen the impact on the victim team.

It's just creating more avenues for skilled manipulation of "the RULES".

Make it strongly detrimental and they will catch on real quick and cut it out.

Then the bench can fulfil it's intended function...keeping the pace in games for the full 80 minutes, not to cover against foul opposition.
The speed of the game has increased greatly with professionalism and money(and that is fabulous) but it's time to get tougher on tactics to stop it being a battle of talent, speed, skill, fitness and toughness.
After all, these qualities are what make it the best ball game there is.

Ever watched any NFL? I rest my case.

 

[SeaEagle21]

You hit the nail on the head.

The solution is to strongly penalise the offending team for foul play/intended injuries... not finding a way to lessen the impact on the victim team.

It's just creating more avenues for skilled manipulation of "the RULES".

Make it strongly detrimental and they will catch on real quick and cut it out.

Then the bench can fulfil it's intended function...keeping the pace in games for the full 80 minutes, not to cover against foul opposition.
The speed of the game has increased greatly with professionalism and money(and that is fabulous) but it's time to get tougher on tactics to stop it being a battle of talent, speed, skill, fitness and toughness.
After all, these qualities are what make it the best ball game there is.

Ever watched any NFL? I rest my case.

If foul play is seen then the offending player should be on the sideline until/if the affected player returns.

See how quickly cheap shots are removed from the game then.

And before we have the old school thoughts of should suck it up and stop being a wuss, concussion isn’t taken seriously enough in the game.

If you haven’t watched it already grab a copy of Concussion and see how it catches up when the players are older

 

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

There probably isnt a way to fix it that will please everyone, but for mine...

- The reserve should be someone who has played at least half a game in reggies prior like the old days!
The interchange can only happen in the first 60 minutes. If it happens after that, you can't bring fresh legs on, unfortunate but you deal with it. This takes away the fact it can ruin a game if you lose a bloke 10 mins in. Gives you a chance of making it a contest.

- The reserve can only be used only if the player has failed the HIA, they don't run on when player comes off for the test, a regular (free) interchange is used until a decision is made - They fail, this then rules them out for the next round and the replacement can join the bench rotation (not ideal, but one way to reduce cheating it, and hopefully reduce chance of permanent damage)

If player going off is due to foul play and penalty awarded, then player who caused it goes off and can only come back if concussed player does. Initially it doesn't count as an interchange unless the punished player is allowed back on (HIA passed by other bloke), then it does count as part of the overall penalty. (you'd hope there's no deliberate actions, but this reduces the thought you can get away with it) Genuine accidents will be punished which might not seem fair, but you do need a line drawn.

 

[Woodsie]

There probably isnt a way to fix it that will please everyone, but for mine...

- The reserve should be someone who has played at least half a game in reggies prior like the old days!
The interchange can only happen in the first 60 minutes. If it happens after that, you can't bring fresh legs on, unfortunate but you deal with it. This takes away the fact it can ruin a game if you lose a bloke 10 mins in. Gives you a chance of making it a contest.

- The reserve can only be used only if the player has failed the HIA, they don't run on when player comes off for the test, a regular (free) interchange is used until a decision is made - They fail, this then rules them out for the next round and the replacement can join the bench rotation (not ideal, but one way to reduce cheating it, and hopefully reduce chance of permanent damage)

If player going off is due to foul play and penalty awarded, then player who caused it goes off and can only come back if concussed player does. Initially it doesn't count as an interchange unless the punished player is allowed back on (HIA passed by other bloke), then it does count as part of the overall penalty. (you'd hope there's no deliberate actions, but this reduces the thought you can get away with it) Genuine accidents will be punished which might not seem fair, but you do need a line drawn.

What if the reggies aren't playing at the same venue or are in a different state? Good idea but won't work today.

 

[lsz]

If the HIA is independently applied then I am not sure there is much of an issue (also some mandatory rest time post would be good as well - so players can not be rushed / bend the rules)