NRL weighing up mandatory stand down period for concussed players
The NRL is reportedly weighing up the introduction of a mandatory stand-down rule to protect players from the long-term consequences of concussion.
With the premiership season just over a week away, the league's medical advisory panel is considering whether players with a diagnosed concussion should be required to miss a minimum of one match to aid their recovery.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a clause in the league's concussion protocols could be removed to make way for an 11-day lay-off period following a concussion.
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The change would follow the lead of contact sports such as the AFL and the English Super League.
In 2021, the AFL set a new standard with the release of their updated concussion guidelines. Advances included the competition's mandatory lay-off period for concussed athletes being doubled from six to 12 days to include at least one match.
A final decision on the NRL's stance is expected to be made before round one begins next week.
According to the Concussion in Sport Group's most recent Consensus Statement (Berlin 2016), most individuals recover from a concussion in 10 to 14 days, with a lay-off period promoting rest and recovery.
Under the NRL's current guidelines, players can be medically cleared by an independent doctor to return to sport in under a week.
Panthers prop Spencer Leniu played in Penrith's premiership last year despite being concussed by a high shot from South Sydney's Taane Milne in the preliminary final.
Leniu passed the relevant concussion protocols and was cleared by an independent concussion doctor for the decider against the Eels.
Mismanagement of concussions can put players at risk of significant health ramifications.
An example of this includes the development of cerebral edema which causes rapid brain swelling after a second concussive injury or concussion occurring in close time proximity.
Prop Alex Twal featured for the first time since June last year in the Tiger's trial win over the Raiders on Sunday.
Twal suffered two concussions in three games and was rubbed out for the remainder of the season.
Asked about the authority of a mandatory stand down, Twal believed players would respect the ruling.
"At the end of the day they're professionals and whatever they think is right, we're happy to abide by it. The club had my best interests at heart (last year) and I'm looking forward to the season ahead now," he said.
Any changes to the NRL's concussion protocols would be the biggest development since the league brought in an independent doctor to review on-field concussions from the NRL Bunker and potentially rule players out for assessments.
This season, the NRL are also allowing the 18th man to be activated following two failed head injury assessments, instead of three in 2022.
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