Leeds Rhinos second-rower Alex Mellor has spoken of his shock at being severely concussed during a recent game but has applauded the new return-to-play protocols as he prepares to return.
The 27-year-old was hurt in a tackle with Mike McMeeken during the early stages of Leeds’ home defeat to Catalans Dragons on February 24.
His neck was put in a brace and he was taken to hospital to undergo scans amid fears he could have suffered a serious injury.
The former Bradford Bulls and Huddersfield Giants star was thankfully given the all-clear and has praised the increased number of days from seven to 11 before players can return after a concussion.
The new ruling was made during the off-season upon recommendation from the Rugby Football League’s Clinical Advisory Group and effectively rules players out of two rounds of action.
Mellor told Rugby League Live: “It was a massive shock and obviously very scary when you go down like that.
“I was knocked out, so I didn’t know what was going on.
“My neck was in a brace and I was worried it was broken, so that was scary.
“But that got all cleared on the night and I just woke up the next day with a sore head, having suffered a really bad concussion.
“I have followed the 11-day concussion protocol and this is my last day today, so I’m ready to go again.”
Mellor has suffered “a couple” of concussions earlier in his career but the knock he sustained against Catalans was the most severe.
“I’ve had a couple of really bad ones and failed the concussion test but still been conscious,” he explained.
“But I was knocked out completely against Catalans and was down for about 15 minutes, so it was pretty scary to lose time.
“I think in the tackle I went too low, it probably should have been a right-shoulder tackle.
“I’ve made a left-shoulder tackle and he’s come across me and I’ve got my head in an awful spot.”
Mellor was accompanied to Leeds General Infirmary by his girlfriend and Nigel O’Flaherty Johnston, the Rhinos’ player welfare manager.
He added: “It was a worry laying there when they don’t let you off the spinal board.
“I sort of panicked a bit and felt a bit claustrophobic, almost locked in.
“It’s a little bit overwhelming when you’re lying there and have all these emotions running through you.
“It’s a scary time and there is a fear of the unknown, which doesn’t make it any better.
“My missus and my dad were quite upset at the time, but I actually stayed quite optimistic.
“They probably did look at the Mose Masoe situation and think the worst is coming.
“But for me it was different because if you think like that then you really start panicking.
“That’s the same with any sort of injuries. I always feel I’m okay until it gets scanned and I get told what I have done.
“I think looking at with a half-full glass helped me in this situation.”
Mellor believes the new return-to-play protocols were needed and will go a significant way to improving player care over head injuries.
He said: “I’m really agreeing with the way they have made it 11 days because there are so many occasions where players might not be right.
“I think you take a risk with something like a dead leg or a niggling injury.
“That’s tough, that’s commendable, but when it’s your head then it’s a different story.
“It’s not brave or tough to play again straight away – it’s verging on stupid and you’re really playing with fire.
“The fact we have been given additional recovery time allows things to settle and for there to be no problem with your brain.
“There is more to life than rugby, so the fact they are taking these extra steps to help look after our futures is brilliant, I think.
“Eleven days is now effectively a two-week break because players want to play so badly that they want to come back straight away.
“Taking that choice away from players is a big thing.”
Mellor could feature in Thursday’s visit of Hull FC to Headingley and said: “At the minute I feel absolutely fine.
“My protocols have gone well, my training has gone well, so all being well I’ll be fine to play on Thursday – if selected.”
