The Australian March 30, 2015 12:00AM A Parramatta club doctor is planning to walk away from the game, believing his integrity has been shredded by the Nathan Peats concussion incident. Peats suffered a head knock a week ago in the loss to the Warriors but returned to the field after having a concussion test, finishing the match with 44 tackles. The NRL subsequently launched an investigation into the decision to clear Peats, with the club expected to be fined this week for failing to wait the mandatory five-minute period before conducting the test.
The Australian understands Parramatta’s doctors Steve McNamara and James Jeong have been upset by the NRL’s *investigation, believing their medical ability has been called into question. At least one of them is considering his future in the sport. Sam Sorrenti, the spokesman for the NRL club doctors association, revealed he had spoken to several doctors who were pondering their futures as a result of the heavy-handed approach to the concussion issue. “I know from some doctors already who have got in touch with me, saying they don’t feel the anguish and heartache is worth it,” Sorrenti said. “The majority of them do it for the love of the game. It’s not as if they’re getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for it. They can go and do other things and enjoy themselves a lot more without being put through the stress. “The whole basis of medicine is based on history and physical examination. If the doctor makes a diagnosis, and that says the player can recover and hasn’t had a concussive episode, he then finds he has to justify his decision to various people.
People say, ‘What am I doing this for?’” Sorrenti also believes the stringent approach to concussion means it is only a matter of time before a side is left short of players due to the NRL’s desire to see players who suffer head knocks taken from the field. That issue is likely to form part of the game’s review of the interchange system, with suggestions the NRL could look at the reintroduction of a substitute player. NRL head of football Todd Greenberg is planning a telephone conference with all club doctors later this week. The Eels aren’t the only club in the NRL’s crosshairs over the concussion issue. South Sydney is also facing an investigation over its handling of halfback Adam Reynolds after he suffered a head knock in the club’s win over the Sydney Roosters in round two. Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire has strongly backed his club doctor, Andrew McDonald, saying at all times he handled the situation professionally.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was also asked by the NRL to clarify his comments after he admitted hooker James Segeyaro was ruled out of his side’s game against Newcastle last weekend due to a cut lip and a “bit of concussion”. Segeyaro suffered a head knock in the club’s round- three game against the Roosters but finished the match. While doctors are known to be disillusioned, so are a number of club officials. Manly’s Geoff Toovey became the latest coach to rail in defence of club medicos following his side’s loss to St George Illawarra on Saturday night. Toovey said club doctors were now worried about being sued over the NRL’s revamped rules and cited Daly Cherry-Evans being taken off for a test as an example of that pressure. Yesterday, the NRL confirmed the review of the Peats issue was still under way and expected it to be completed this week. The NRL can fine clubs or even or dock competition points. However, the removal of points would be in extreme cases and Peats is not seen as being in this category.
Replies
I can understand this. Why would you as a doctor put up with having your integrity challenged?
If independent doctors come in, there will be cries of unfairness and favoritism just like the refs. Noone is totally independent or unbiased. We all have opinions and theres no clear way to choose between concussed or not.
well done to the medicos. This is getting very silly.
So what if you lose a half and your replacement is a prop? or visa versa, How would that work?
Im pretty sure I heard that the independent doctors would cost a shit load and it still wont solve the problem.
Individuals recover differently and head knocks are all different, if a doctor says a player is good to go back on and the player says he's good, then send him on a keep monitoring. If he cant run straight or think straight, it wont take long for the op to take advantage.
The issue is to limit head knocks and thats what they are doing, but head knocks now are mainly on players who tackle with their head in the wrong position.
And of particular note there is NO mention of McGuire from the Bronx being ORDERED from the field by the NRL officials, after Bennett left him on the field UNABLE to stand up from CONCUSSION.
Funny how it turns out - isn't it?
NO mention of the DOGS playing on with obviously concussed players left on the field.
Yes Mr Greenturd - you have finally graduated as a BIASED scumbag dictator.
No wonder the Dawgs celebrated you leaving their club.
CRIKEY - when the Dawgs celebrate something like you leaving their club it say a lot about you.
Don't blame the Drs for feeling this way at all...a doctors integrity is everything. I wonder if this was in a place like the U.S would these Dr's sue the pants off the NRL for questioning their integrity and expertise in such a public way
.a doctors integrity is everything.
From personal experience I would question this statement macy - perceived integrity would be more like it.
But that's an argument for another day.
That said - How can some UNQUALIFIED scumbag (Greenturd) be questioning doctors who HAVE carried out their duty of care according to the guidelines set down for them?
What will happen to the NRL if ALL the club doctors take the same approach and tell them where to stick it?
I would love to see the doctors boycott just ONE week of ALL grades in protest.
That was my thought exactly when this was raised.
A qualified doctor cleared the players after they left the field. End of story. For the nrl to then question the doctors expertise and integrity in a public forum raises questions about there processes and agendas.
If they had not been removed from field and not checked the nrl has a case.
Yeah that's true coco.
Well if they feel they have to stand down from the position as a result, who knows they may have a case also.
One things for sure the ppl running the NRL should be thanking their lucky stars that in Australia we don't seem to have that sue first mentality just yet.
They just seem to get so much wrong from Jnr to Richie to the constant inconsistencies...they are a sue job waiting to happen
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