Eels doctor to quit as concussion issue tests loyalty of medicos
The Australian
March 30, 2015 12:00AM
A Parramatta club doctor is planning to walk away from the game, believing his integrity has been shredded by the Nathan Peats concussion incident.
Peats suffered a head knock a week ago in the loss to the Warriors but returned to the field after having a concussion test, finishing the match with 44 tackles.
The NRL subsequently launched an investigation into the decision to clear Peats, with the club expected to be fined this week for failing to wait the mandatory five-minute period before conducting the test.
The Australian understands Parramatta?s doctors Steve McNamara and James Jeong have been upset by the NRL?s *investigation, believing their medical ability has been called into question.
At least one of them is considering his future in the sport.
Sam Sorrenti, the spokesman for the NRL club doctors association, revealed he had spoken to several doctors who were pondering their futures as a result of the heavy-handed approach to the concussion issue.
?I know from some doctors already who have got in touch with me, saying they don?t feel the anguish and heartache is worth it,? Sorrenti said.
?The majority of them do it for the love of the game. It?s not as if they?re getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for it. They can go and do other things and enjoy themselves a lot more without being put through the stress.
?The whole basis of medicine is based on history and physical examination. If the doctor makes a diagnosis, and that says the player can recover and hasn?t had a concussive episode, he then finds he has to justify his decision to various people. People say, ?What am I doing this for???
Sorrenti also believes the stringent approach to concussion means it is only a matter of time before a side is left short of players due to the NRL?s desire to see players who suffer head knocks taken from the field.
That issue is likely to form part of the game?s review of the interchange system, with suggestions the NRL could look at the reintroduction of a substitute player.
NRL head of football Todd Greenberg is planning a telephone conference with all club doctors later this week.
The Eels aren?t the only club in the NRL?s crosshairs over the concussion issue. South Sydney is also facing an investigation over its handling of halfback Adam Reynolds after he suffered a head knock in the club?s win over the Sydney Roosters in round two.
Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire has strongly backed his club doctor, Andrew McDonald, saying at all times he handled the situation professionally.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was also asked by the NRL to clarify his comments after he admitted hooker James Segeyaro was ruled out of his side?s game against Newcastle last weekend due to a cut lip and a ?bit of concussion?. Segeyaro suffered a head knock in the club?s round- three game against the Roosters but finished the match.
While doctors are known to be disillusioned, so are a number of club officials.
Manly?s Geoff Toovey became the latest coach to rail in defence of club medicos following his side?s loss to St George Illawarra on Saturday night.
Toovey said club doctors were now worried about being sued over the NRL?s revamped rules and cited Daly Cherry-Evans being taken off for a test as an example of that pressure.
Yesterday, the NRL confirmed the review of the Peats issue was still under way and expected it to be completed this week. The NRL can fine clubs or even or dock competition points. However, the removal of points would be in extreme cases and Peats is not seen as being in this category.
