What happens if a player is suspected of concussion?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under the NRL's 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 immediately and must not return to that game or any other until cleared by a doctor, even if they appear to have recovered.
The person assessing should not be swayed by the opinion of the player, coaching staff, parents or anyone else suggesting a premature return.
The incident must be recorded in the online Head Injury Recognition and Referral Form (HIRRF) in MySideline. NSWRL's concussion resources page notes that the 2025 version of the form must be used and previous versions will not be accepted.
Visible clues include loss of consciousness, lying on the ground and not moving or slow to stand, unsteadiness, clutching at the head, a dazed or vacant look, and confusion.
If any red flag is present (loss of consciousness, seizure, severe or increasing headache, double vision, vomiting, neck pain, deteriorating conscious state and others), call an ambulance (000). An unconscious player should only be moved by qualified health professionals trained in spinal immobilisation unless absolutely essential.
Every player removed with a suspected concussion must see a doctor within 72 hours.
A player aged 18 or younger who is diagnosed with concussion cannot be selected, including for any game day role, before the 19th day, and only after a doctor has cleared them on the NRL Head Injury/Concussion Medical Clearance form.