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AAP
AAP
Sport
Scott Bailey and George Clarke

NRL changes for quicker head knock action

Victor Radley was unable to finish the match against Newcastle due to new concussion protocols. (AAP)

The NRL will make internal changes to the bunker's independent doctor protocols in a bid to remove players from the field sooner after head knocks.

Under new system unveiled at the weekend, an independent doctor can now rule players out of games after head knocks or tell clubs to remove them for an assessment.

The most high-profile incident came when Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith was ordered off the field in the loss to Newcastle despite the club claiming he had shown no symptoms.

That and all calls were set to be reviewed by the medical department on Monday, with NRL head of football Graham Annesley stressing the independent doctor was in the best place to rule.

"They're not saying that they are concussed," Annesley said.

"That's a clinical matter that requires examination by the club doctor and any other specialists that might be involved.

"It's purely the job of the independent doctor to look for signs of possible head injury."

There is however concern over how it has taken for players to be removed.

Canberra winger Semi Valemei remained on the field after his knock and scored a trial, with Rooster Victor Radley was also on the field for several minutes and even placed on report before being ordered off.

In the case of Radley, he had initially told teammates he had hurt his neck in contact when he laid down on the ground.

"We weren't comfortable that the process was quick enough on a number of occasions," Annesley said.

"Bear in mind that we're dealing with a new system, a system that relies on technology, a process and then relaying that information to people at the venue.

"The whole objective with all of this investment in the medical side of the game it is to get players off the field as quickly as possible.

"We're going to tweak some things internally. And I think you'll see that much smoother and more seamless by next weekend."

Roosters halfback Luke Keary backed the changes, claiming caution was of critical importance even if it meant confusion over Radley and Smith.

The Roosters have farewelled Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend last year to repeated head traumas and Keary, who himself has sustained repeated concussions, said the introduction of an independent doctor was beneficial in the long run.

"It's going to be a bit of a work in progress but it's the right thing to do.

"Bringing an independent doctor in who has no affiliation, no pressure from coaches or outside influences ... they can look at each case individually.

"It's a very difficult, murky thing to control because it's not a broken arm where you can see it. People behave differently when they are concussed.

"Some can look really bad and you're not concussed and some can look innocuous and it can be a bad concussion."

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