'Looking out for us': Why players want independent medicos to stay

Luke Keary plans to continue trialling headgear at training and in games but the Sydney Roosters five-eighth believes the most effective protection for players is the independent doctor.

Keary, who wore headgear in last Sunday’s match against the Dolphins after encouragement from Roosters coach Trent Robinson, backed the use of independent doctor to order players from the field for HIAs

The Ireland international was speaking from experience after suffering a series of head knocks in recent seasons and he said players were reluctant to leave the field unless told to do so by a doctor.

“As much as it is frustrating sometimes, if they get it wrong, as a player we appreciate it that someone is actually sitting there looking out for us,” Keary said.

“Sometimes our docs are in the dressing rooms with people, doing concussion protocols to get back on or doing other stuff, so there is a lot of things going on at the actual ground.

“For a trainer to spot one is very hard to do at the ground, so I think having an external person watching it, I think is the right way to go.”

There was criticism after Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga, Canberra’s Seb Kris and Canterbury’s Jacob Kiraz were called from the field by an independent doctor at crucial times in last weekend’s opening round of matches.

However, NRL head of football Graham Annesley said the reason clubs wanted the introduction of an independent doctor was because “they don’t trust each other”.

Asked about Annesley's comments, Keary said: “Can the NRL trust clubs and coaches, I don't know. Can the NRL trust the players, probably not”.

“As a player you don’t want to go off the field, that is the mentality,” Keary said. “If we get a knock, we aren’t just going to stick our hand up. Someone is going to have to drag you off the field.

“I think it is definitely the way to go, it takes it away from clubs and there is a designated doctor sitting there, just watching that.”

Keary said he had worn headgear in juniors and decided to do so again last weekend after urging from Robinson.

“Robbo has tossed it up to me a couple of times now,” he said.

There was one floating around at training last week, so I chucked it on.

“It felt alright and like Trent said, if there is anything you can do to help you with knocks or anything like that you might as well try it.

“I tried it on the weekend, and it was alright, I didn’t really feel it. I guess it stops the little elbows and hips and things like that rather than the big ones. I will test a few out at training and see how I go. I felt alright.”

Roosters forwards Victor Radley and Brandon Smith have been named to play against the Warriors at Allianz Stadium on Saturday as they work with the club’s medical staff to follow the NRL’s return to play protocols.

Prop Matt Lodge has undergone surgery for a facial fracture suffered in the round one loss to the Dolphins but Robinson welcomes back Golden Boot winner Joey Manu after a similar injury.

Manu resumes his position in the centres alongside emerging superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who has taken up an option in his contract to remain at the Roosters in 2024.

“It is good, there are going to be a lot of teams wanting to have him for next year, so it is good to know he is going to be here,” Keary said.

“The family he has come from, the way they have bought him up and the type of person he is, he is right up the top and then obviously as a footy player, with what he produced for us last year and he is just starting his career.

“He made a big decision to go away with Samoa and hopefully over the next couple of years you will see him step up to the next level.”