Hit could have killed
AFL doc: Slater lucky it was only concussion
ONE of the country’s leading sports doctors last night said Melbourne star Billy Slater was lucky he did not end up in a coma after being knocked out by rugby league’s most sickening hit in years.
Doctor Peter Larkins was stunned when he watched replays of Sia Soliola belting the Storm No.1 across the jaw on Saturday night – and even more amazed match officials refused to send Soliola from the field.
Soliola will front the NRL judiciary tonight where he is expected to be rubbed out the remainder of the season.
Larkins, the Melbournebased doctor who works closely with the AFL, said Slater was lucky to escape with only a concussion.
“That’s the sort of thing that not only breaks a jaw and gives concussion, it kills people,’’ Larkins said.
“In terms of player safety and duty of care to the head, which is such a focus, if that tackle is not a send-off, then what is? That would be my question to the NRL.
“It’s such a bad look for the NRL.
“From a medical point of view, it can be anything from a sore jaw to death.”
“If that had happened at the MCG yesterday with a Collingwood player, there would be a minimum of six to eight weeks out of the game for the offending player.’’
Tonight’s judiciary hearing is the most anticipated of the NRL season and a sixweek ban would mean Soliola has likely played his last game in 2017 given the Raiders are struggling to qualify for the finals.
The NRL has taken the rare step of referring the incident straight to the judiciary without a grading, a move reserved for the most serious offences.
Referees boss Tony Archer took the extraordinary step of releasing a statement after the match admitting Matt Cecchin was wrong in not sending Soliola off.
Soliola was placed on report and Slater left the field on a medicab.