What must happen if a player has a suspected concussion?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under the Community Rugby League Policy and Guidelines for the Management of Concussion (effective 3 November 2025):

A player suspected of concussion must be taken out of the game or training session immediately, and must not return to that game or session, or any other, until cleared by a doctor, even if they appear to have recovered.
The incident must be recorded in the online Head Injury Recognition and Referral Form (HIRRF) in MySideline.
Red flags (for example loss of consciousness, seizure, severe or increasing headache, double vision, vomiting, neck pain, deteriorating conscious state): call an ambulance (000) and refer to hospital.
Every player removed with a suspected concussion must see a doctor within 72 hours (3 days), even if symptoms resolve.
A player aged 18 or younger who is diagnosed with concussion cannot be available for selection, including any game day role, before the 19th day after the concussion, and only after symptoms have resolved and a doctor has cleared them. For adults the earliest is the 11th day.
Return needs the NRL Head Injury/Concussion Medical Clearance form completed by the treating doctor. It is the only form accepted as medical clearance.
All players complete a 6 stage return to sport program, and children and adolescents also complete a return to learn program.