NRL CMO explains Garrick HIA call

NRL chief medical officer Dr Sharron Flahive has responded to criticism from Manly coach Anthony Seibold over the decision by the HIA Bunker to rule centre Reuben Garrick out of last Saturday’s match against Sydney Roosters.

The Sea Eagles lost Garrick and winger Jason Saab following due to head knocks in the first half, but Seibold later revealed the goalkicking back had passed his HIA and said he had wanted to return.

However, Flahive said in a statement, read by NRL head of elite football Graham Annesley at his post-Round 21 media briefing, that it was not uncommon for players deemed Category 1 cases by the independent doctor to subsequently pass a HIA.

Video of the incident shows Garrick’s knees buckle as he gets to his feet following a tackle on Roosters winger Daniel Tupou.

He then jogs back into position at right centre, before going down on his haunches when there is another break in play before being called from the field by the independent doctor, who deemed the symptoms he displayed to be Category 1.

“Although Reuben seemed to recover quickly, there was evident motor incoordination within a second of the head impact indicating a Category 1 sign,” Flahive said.

“This suggests a transient neurological disturbance. In other words, a concussion.

“His slowness to return to play, lack of involvement in the game and eventually going down on his hands and knees after rejoining the line further supports this assessment.

“Apparently, he passed the HIA test, but that is not completely unusual in cases of concussion.

“At least 10-to-15 percent of concussions with Category 1 signs can have a normal HIA test.”

Annesley said the HIA protocols were put in place to protect players and clubs.

The Sea Eagles have a bye this weekend but if they were playing the club would be able to apply for Garrick to be exempted from the mandatory 11 day stand down if there was evidence to show an error had been made in his diagnosis.

“The crux of this is that from the moment Reuben, or any other player, exhibits those sort of signs, it is effectively a concussion from the point of view of a category examination by the doctor,” Annesley said.

“Now, the club can dispute those signs later, but they can't dispute on the basis of passing the HIA that a player was not concussed.

“They can say that the bunker doctor misread the signs, or they have a different version of the signs that were observed on the match broadcast, but they can't dispute that those signs are effectively a concussion.

“That's why the rules are in place to make sure that those sorts of decisions are made.”

The Sea Eagles were also unhappy that Roosters centre Michael Jennings received a two-match for his high tackle on Saab after being placed on report during the match.

However, Annesley said he was satisfied with the Bunker's explanation that the first point of contact by Jenning was not high and that his arm had bounced up to hit Saab, who later failed a HIA.

“There’s no reason for me to be critical of the Bunker for how they’ve read that situation,” Annesley said.

“Now what happens after that in terms of HIA and the match review committee is the way our system is designed to take other factors into consideration in reaching a decision.”