’Why does a doctor tell me I can’t go back on?’

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CANTERBURY enforcer James Graham has demanded NRL players be allowed decide whether they return to the field after suffering a head knock, stressing: "We know what the risks are".

Less than 24 hours after League HQ promised yet another concussion crackdown, Graham sensationally insisted it be players — not doctors — who have the final say on returning to battle.

While initially reluctant to speak — "I've got strong thoughts that could get me into trouble" — the Englishman eventually explained why he opposes a push to have independent doctors patrolling the sidelines at games.

Rabbitoh Adam Reynolds comes back to the sideline after a concussion test. Source: News Corp Australia

"Why does a doctor tell me I can't go back on?'' Graham asked. "Why can't that be my choice?

"For me, concussion is such a grey area. I know something has happened over in America, in the NFL, and that's had a ripple effect through to here.

"But this is a contact sport and things are going to happen. We know the risks.

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"No one wants to see players suffering serious damage, but I think (when a player has received a knock) you should really ask them and see if they want to play on.

"I know I've had a knock to the head, a doctor has asked me to come off and he's probably right. But I've also had a slight knock before and been told I had to come off. And I've felt fine."

Told his opinion would be hotly debated, Graham continued: "I'm happy for people to disagree, this is just my opinion.

"People might think it's a stupid example, but if I smoke all the warnings are there on the packet, saying what the damage can be.

"But does a doctor walk down the street, go into a cafe and stub out someone's cigarette because they're technically killing themselves? No they don't.

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"It's why I think, given players know the risk, they should have more say. Let them say 'no, I'm okay'. I want to play on."

Graham even questioned the effectiveness of current NRL concussion testing.

"For the tests, they get you to stand on one foot for 20 seconds with your eyes closed," he said.

"Some players couldn't do that on a daily basis … let alone when they've got boots on and a thousand different things going through their head regarding the game."

As reported in Tuesday's The Daily Telegraph, Parramatta are under investigation over three separate incidents involving their players — Nathan Peats, Will Hopoate and Isaac De Gois — who suffered head knocks against the Warriors.

South Sydney, meanwhile, are still to be investigated over an incident involving half-back Adam Reynolds while Manly are also in the NRL cross hairs for a head knock involving centre Brayden Wiliame.

Bulldogs' James Graham against the Panthers. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

An apparent flouting of the NRL concussion guidelines has some convinced coaches are putting excessive pressure on club doctors to clear players for a return.

"But it's not a coaching thing,'' Graham says. "You look at last weekend, that was the player who (after being cleared) made the decision that they wanted to go back on.

"Plus, why would coaches want someone out there with a concussion? Someone who doesn't know what they're doing anyway?"

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