Eliesa Katoa

[Yoda]

1000 percent, especially in lower grades and bush footy.

How do you make people accountable from the top down.

Park footy is a worry. A lot of the hits and contact go unnoticed and the sideline officials and ground managers are often there to keep an eye of the crowd rather than what's happening on the field. There is a mandatory period where concussed players can't play but players can reel out of tackles without anyone at the ground realising they're concussed.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Park footy is a worry. A lot of the hits and contact go unnoticed and the sideline officials and ground managers are often there to keep an eye of the crowd rather than what's happening on the field. There is a mandatory period where concussed players can't play but players can reel out of tackles without anyone at the ground realising they're concussed.

for park footy, reporting concussions is on the FAO, Level 1 or Level 2 sports trainers of the teams. Games arent supposed to go ahead unless both teams have at least 1x Level 1 ST each (although plenty turn up without one, leaving the oppositions ST to look after both teams). There is a pretty robust and strict reporting policy along with a return to training and play policy that all clubs need to adhere to. Its not a perfect system but its more than just ground managers keeping an eye out

 

[Wb1234]

5 minutes off the field for any player who takes a dive, or actions they have taken a hit to the head - even if no penalty is warranted.

Automatic hia check off field by doctor

 

[Exsilium]

I played rugby through GPS schools and whilst I only played First XV and ultimately park footy league, I suffered many knocks to the point I was carted off in an ambulance for the third time and warned that another hit to the head could be catastrophic. I can tell you from personal experience that the effects are long term and whilst I made the right decision, based on the best advice, I have symptoms from those hits that’ll be with me for life. I can’t imagine what it’s like for some of these NRL players who play at a far greater level with heavier impacts at higher frequency of collision.

I love the sport and other contact sports but the line between player welfare and liability is a fine one imo.

I think there’s good measures in place but Playing on after a certain point has guaranteed symptoms that range from manageable to impactful where coping and living with it is all you can do.

I can’t tell you how many I’ve had that when asked “are you good to play on?!” Resulted in me self diagnosing inadequately and responding with “I’m alright”.

I wish him the best in his recovery and decision making but there’s more to life than football.

 

[Wb1234]

 

[madball]

for park footy, reporting concussions is on the FAO, Level 1 or Level 2 sports trainers of the teams. Games arent supposed to go ahead unless both teams have at least 1x Level 1 ST each (although plenty turn up without one, leaving the oppositions ST to look after both teams). There is a pretty robust and strict reporting policy along with a return to training and play policy that all clubs need to adhere to. Its not a perfect system but its more than just ground managers keeping an eye out

Unfortunately though, many in park and junior footy are more concerned with keeping their players on the field. To the point I've had some rather tense arguments with teams about taking kids off the field because of head knocks.
The policy is good and robust though when it's adhered to.

 

[Wb1234]

NRL set to clear Tonga coach over Katoa injuries

Heavy sanctions will be handed out to several Tonga medical staff when the NRL reveals the findings of its investigation this week.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Captain Apollo]

NRL set to clear Tonga coach over Katoa injuries

Heavy sanctions will be handed out to several Tonga medical staff when the NRL reveals the findings of its investigation this week.

www.smh.com.au

Here's the relevant part's text -

NRL set to clear Tonga coach over Katoa injuries​

By Christian Nicolussi and Dan Walsh​

Updated December 2, 2025 — 5.08pm

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf is expected to be cleared of any wrongdoing when the NRL delivers its findings into the handling of Eliesa Katoa’s repeated head knocks.

Katoa needed fluid drained from his brain after suffering three separate blows to the head before and during Tonga’s Pacific Championships clash against New Zealand on November 2.

The Melbourne back-rower remained in an Auckland hospital for nearly a fortnight before he was allowed to fly home. Katoa will now miss the 2026 season with the Storm following advice from several medical experts and the club doctor.

After a lengthy investigation, sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed the findings would be made public by Friday at the latest.

Several medical staff who cleared Katoa to play after he took a sickening blow to the head during the warm-up will receive heavy sanctions.

Katoa was accidentally flattened by Tongan teammate Lehi Hopoate when contesting a high ball in a clash which was captured by TV cameras but not flagged with the Tongan coaching staff until after full-time.

The 25-year-old Katoa then suffered head knocks in the ninth and 51st minutes, eventually being forced from the field after failing a head impact assessment following the third incident. Katoa then suffered a seizure while sitting on the sidelines at Eden Park.

The NRL conducted an investigation into Tonga’s handling of Katoa and are set to release the findings within the next 48 hours. Woolf, who stayed in New Zealand with Katoa for more than a week after the match, will not be sanctioned. Nor will his support staff, who relied on medical advice to clear Katoa to play.

At the time, questions were asked over why the independent doctor did not intervene after witnessing the pre-game collision on the broadcast.

Katoa took to social media over the weekend to praise Tonga and the Storm for the way they had cared for him and his family, and told fans, “I’ll be back soon”.

The NRL had all but wrapped up its investigation a fortnight ago, but have delayed making the findings public until they knew Katoa would make a full recovery. Katoa was not interviewed to so he could focus on his recovery.

....

Source:



first published December 1, 2025 — 7.30pm

 

[Chimp]

For those who baulked at my suggestion that players hide concussions, or that the players have the biggest responsibility/opportunity to improve concussion reporting……

 

[Canard]

For those who baulked at my suggestion that players hide concussions, or that the players have the biggest responsibility/opportunity to improve concussion reporting……

View attachment 108292

It's still not on the players to be responsible for this in-game.

They are quite literally not of sound mind when making these calls.

 

[Chimp]

It’s not on any 1 person or group to be ‘responsible’ for it, it’s on everyone, but the players are the ones who can accelerate the improvements the most.
Just because they’ve had a head knock and are potentially concussed doesn’t mean they’re not of sound mind (though I accept sometimes they’re away with the fairies, but those instances are easily picked up by trainers/medics), after all, there are plenty of occasions where they’re of sound enough mind to realise in the moment to hold their neck/shoulder etc to hide that they’ve taken a head knock. There are plenty of occasions where they’ll take a hit and have their head scrambled that won’t be picked up by onlookers as it’s not an obvious head knock (eg catching a hip or other defenders arm) - the player will know he’s groggy, but if he doesn’t show physical signs, as per the latest survey, we know they’ll try hide it to avoid concussion protocols.
We can never eradicate head knocks or concussions in our game (and I don’t think we should be tinkering too much more to try and further avoid it - otherwise we risk ruining the essence of our game), but if we’re going to say players need to be removed from the field of play if they have even a slight concussion (micro-concussion I think is the term), because by all reports, it’s the repeated micro-concussions that cause harm too, then the players absolutely have the best chance of anyone to make sure when they do take a knock that leaves them a bit scrambled, they go off for an assessment - because it won’t always be obvious to everyone else.

 

[Captain Apollo]

It’s not on any 1 person or group to be ‘responsible’ for it, it’s on everyone, but the players are the ones who can accelerate the improvements the most.
Just because they’ve had a head knock and are potentially concussed doesn’t mean they’re not of sound mind (though I accept sometimes they’re away with the fairies, but those instances are easily picked up by trainers/medics), after all, there are plenty of occasions where they’re of sound enough mind to realise in the moment to hold their neck/shoulder etc to hide that they’ve taken a head knock. There are plenty of occasions where they’ll take a hit and have their head scrambled that won’t be picked up by onlookers as it’s not an obvious head knock (eg catching a hip or other defenders arm) - the player will know he’s groggy, but if he doesn’t show physical signs, as per the latest survey, we know they’ll try hide it to avoid concussion protocols.
We can never eradicate head knocks or concussions in our game (and I don’t think we should be tinkering too much more to try and further avoid it - otherwise we risk ruining the essence of our game), but if we’re going to say players need to be removed from the field of play if they have even a slight concussion (micro-concussion I think is the term), because by all reports, it’s the repeated micro-concussions that cause harm too, then the players absolutely have the best chance of anyone to make sure when they do take a knock that leaves them a bit scrambled, they go off for an assessment - because it won’t always be obvious to everyone else.

James Graham is probably one of the biggest names who, when still playing, railed against the HIA process and having to come off. He's since done complete a 180 on it realising how daft he was about it and why its important to not cover up/ignore head knocks.

 

[Dogs Of War]

James Graham is probably one of the biggest names who, when still playing, railed against the HIA process and having to come off. He's since done complete a 180 on it realising how daft he was about it and why its important to not cover up/ignore head knocks.

A lot of the time he still says he would have played on and covered it up when he was playing. So it's a hard one. He would like things to change, but I think he also says it from a players perspective in that players are keen to play on and hide it. I don't think there is any easy answer to that issue. You can educate all you want, but players want to play, and if you sit out too much, it's very likely the team sees you as a problem and moves you on when they can. Especially if you are not that high level talent, but more of a run of the mill player.

 

[Canard]

Even more importantly, in a legal sense, its the employer that bears ALL responsibility here.

 

[League Unlimited News]

https://leagueunlimited.com/news/43212-breach-notices-tonga-xiii/

Breach notices: Tonga XIII​

National Rugby League | December 8 2025 5:04PM


The NRL has investigated an incident at Eden Park, New Zealand on 2 November 2025 that led to the injury of Tonga XIII Player, Eliesa Katoa.

The NRL is continuing to support Mr Katoa and his family during his important recovery.

The investigation has identified a number of serious concerns regarding possible breaches of the NRL Rules and protocols by a number of individuals in the way that Mr Katoa was treated.

These concerns relate to a possible breakdown in communication between responsible medical and health professionals in relation to the safety of Mr Katoa, including through a failure to share and disclose information that was vital to the health of the player.

The NRL Rules and protocols exist to protect player safety and wellbeing and must be followed.

All on-field NRL trainers and medical personnel are required to annually complete the NRL's Elite Head Injury/Concussion protocols as well as maintain minimum standards of medical qualification and education.

Four Tonga XIII officials have each received a Breach notice under the NRL Rules. The proposed penalties for each individual are as follows:

Head Doctor - a prohibition from being concerned, whether directly or indirectly, with any Club, Team or Player in the NRL Competitions, Representative Competitions or any other competition conducted under the auspices of the NRL or ARLC for a period of no less than 24 months.

Assistant Doctor - a prohibition from being concerned, whether directly or indirectly, with any Club, Team or Player in the NRL Competitions, Representative Competitions or any other competition conducted under the auspices of the NRL or ARLC for a period of no less than 24 months.

Orange Shirt Trainer (Head Trainer) - a prohibition from being concerned, whether directly or indirectly, with any Club, Team or Player in the NRL Competitions, Representative Competitions or any other competition conducted under the auspices of the NRL or ARLC for a period of 24 months.

Additionally, the yellow shirt trainer (Medical Assistant) has been issued with a formal warning.

All individuals will also be required to undergo further training on their responsibilities under the NRL Rules and the NRL's policy for the management of possible head injuries and concussion.

Each individual has five business days to respond to the Breach notice.

 

[Wb1234]

Should’ve been lifetime bans

2 years is soft

 

[Canard]

Good, none of this bullshit victim blaming is being tolerated.

 

[Canard]

Also interesting they didn't name the relevant individuals.

Good luck when Tonga tries to get a side together next time.

 

[Captain Apollo]

I thought this incident and its fallout might be a reasonable comparative case (obviously not as serious though) with Kataoa's in relation to how it was dealt with on the day and the player's reaction -

Tee Higgins back in concussion protocol after returning twice; NFL, NFLPA respond

Higgins missed the previous game with a concussion, and he's now back in the concussion protocol.

www.cbssports.com

 

[Dogs Of War]

I thought this incident and its fallout might be a reasonable comparative case (obviously not as serious though) with Kataoa's in relation to how it was dealt with on the day and the player's reaction -

Tee Higgins back in concussion protocol after returning twice; NFL, NFLPA respond

Higgins missed the previous game with a concussion, and he's now back in the concussion protocol.

www.cbssports.com

NFL is a funny beast.

You have a guy like Tua who really should be out of the game with the amount of concussions he has had, and at one point you seriously had to be concerned for his safety every time he got on the field and you had the feeling if it wasn't about the money, he would not be playing at all.