New doc for head knocks

THE NRL will use this year’s State of Origin series to assess the use of an independent doctor for potential concussion cases.

Debate over the introduction of an independent figure has been prevalent since the 2014 introduction of the league’s concussion laws, however it has been denied, based on each club doctor’s knowledge of their own players’ symptoms. But given the number of players from multiple clubs in Origin, the NRL yesterday confirmed Doctor Daelyn Cullen would oversee this year’s clashes, along with each state’s own medical team.

And NRL head of football Brian Canavan confirmed the league would closely monitor the implementation.