NRL players' brains shown to be more damaged than brains of non-players

[Flipper Hands]

Not chooks related but interesting

"What I've found is that the responses of retired rugby league players was significantly different to the healthy controls with no history of head injury," Dr Pearce said.

[zac]

Thanks for posting.
A real time bomb of an issue and a genuine threat to the long-term viability of the game. In this age of litigation the NRL have had no choice but to completely change the culture of what the game was not too long ago.
Interested to see the doctor raised the possibility of the brain learning how to cope with injury ('neuroplasticity'), where brain-damaged individuals can find new ways of restoring function. With a bit of support, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

[Insider]

20 years ago my local district couldn't even field a soccer team. This year over 150 kids showed up for the U/6s registration and they struggled to get a league team together. As much as the NRL won't admit it, we are a dying sport in comparison. The NRL may be changing the culture to appease the mummies and the left, but it won't help their cause. They quote all these bullshit figures of increased participation but they just rip off the touch football numbers.

[rented tracksuit]

I don't care what happens in soccer. When I have kids they won't be allowed to play a sport that teaches kids to cheat.

I would rather they became professional marble players or competitive eaters before touching the round ball game.

[milanja]

I don't care what happens in soccer. When I have kids they won't be allowed to play a sport that teaches kids to cheat.

I would rather they became professional marble players or competitive eaters before touching the round ball game.

Are you talking about the game where players bet on their opposition to score against you, where players take performance enhancing drugs and cop a 3 week suspension, a game where penalties can be so lopsided to from one team to another, that has supporters questioning the integrity of the game, a game where players lie down from a love tap so the video ref can see if there was a hint of a high shot, a game where the media would rather sell a headline and crucify a player, than promote the game that sells its papers?

Yep league seems like a real good choice these days.

[ism22]

Thanks for posting.
A real time bomb of an issue and a genuine threat to the long-term viability of the game. In this age of litigation the NRL have had no choice but to completely change the culture of what the game was not too long ago.
Interested to see the doctor raised the possibility of the brain learning how to cope with injury ('neuroplasticity'), where brain-damaged individuals can find new ways of restoring function. With a bit of support, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

I think it's important in the context of the NRL making up concussion tests (then paying doctors to implement them rather than just saying 'head knock? BOTH OFF... pick a sub from an 18th man and you'll both miss next week').

[roosterproud]

im a level 2 sports trainer(fao)in rugby league. I have found that there is a lack of policing in relation to head knocks/ concussion. In my 7 years at this level i have seen kids knocked out and return to the field, lay down motionless for 3 minutes and try to continue the game staggering sidewards. This is from player pressure, cattle station coaches and un qualified faos. If the NRL are serious about fining clubs for mistreating concussion, i believe that money should be going back to us grass roots guys and be used in educating players, coaches and paying for fao development.

[Guest]

I don't care what happens in soccer. When I have kids they won't be allowed to play a sport that teaches kids to cheat.

I would rather they became professional marble players or competitive eaters before touching the round ball game.

I think rugby league is possibly the most dishonest professional sport in Australia that isn't boxing

[The Axe]

Are you talking about the game where players bet on their opposition to score against you, where players take performance enhancing drugs and cop a 3 week suspension, a game where penalties can be so lopsided to from one team to another, that has supporters questioning the integrity of the game, a game where players lie down from a love tap so the video ref can see if there was a hint of a high shot, a game where the media would rather sell a headline and crucify a player, than promote the game that sells its papers?

Yep league seems like a real good choice these days.

Add in a sport sponsored by multiple betting agencies and inconsistencies in Charges laid against players. N.B. Not questioning the judiciary here

[Salvatori Grubber]

appease the mummies and the left

My wife is a "mummy" and would probably identify with the Left in general, and she would punch fcuk out of you, I'd wager. Lazy thinking and poor stereotyping. Do better.

[Salvatori Grubber]

Are you talking about the game where players bet on their opposition to score against you, where players take performance enhancing drugs and cop a 3 week suspension, a game where penalties can be so lopsided to from one team to another, that has supporters questioning the integrity of the game, a game where players lie down from a love tap so the video ref can see if there was a hint of a high shot, a game where the media would rather sell a headline and crucify a player, than promote the game that sells its papers?

Yep league seems like a real good choice these days.

Nailed it/him.

Soccer doesn't train players to cheat. It doesn't happen in Oz really. It's a cultural thing and I suggest that if they played League in, say, Uruguay that those players would be rolling around trying to attract penalties too.

[Salvatori Grubber]

Soccer is undoubtedly taking over. Back in the 80's and 90's you'd look at any NSL squad list and it was filled with Greek, "Yugoslavian" and Italian names with 1 or 2 Anglo/Celt there too. Now it's the other way around.

[roosterproud]

personally i cant stand sokka, basket ball and nfl. shit sports.

[bondi paul]

Great post as too Milanja comments about the game in general. Watching the Roosters the other nite I couldn't help but think that the 5 day turnaround is a health hazard to players both short term and long term but with betting agencies being partners with the media who actually own the game players welfare is not considered. It only benefit$ the said bodies and the elite owners.

[bondi-boy]

Once upon a time...vicious head-high tackles that saw players' heads nearly taken off...jaws smashed, cheeks smashed, concussion etc...were common in RL.
As were brain-bruising shoulder charges...and spine injuries from scrums.

Things are better today...not perfect but better.