In the wake of Tongan forward Eli Katoa’s bout of head knocks, which left the Melbourne Storm star hospitalised during the Pacific Championships, concussions – and subsequent medical protocols – are in the spotlight again.

Journalist Tianna Sadaj recently investigated the issue on a local level.

From grassroots to the NRL, players, coaches and experts revealed the realities of such injuries and what’s being done to protect the next generation.

Here is her third story in a three-part series:

Few people understand the realities of concussion in rugby league like Adam Carter.

From his early days playing under-6s in Singleton, through to coaching, refereeing and now sports trainer, he’s spent more than 35 years in the sport.

He has seen first-hand how awareness of head injuries has evolved… and where the game still needs to improve.

As a level one sports trainer, Carter spends most weekends on the sideline, across both community and representative games from under-7s to under-15s.

“I probably see four or five concussions each weekend,” he said.

“Some are mild, where players just feel dizzy, but others are full knock-outs.

“If a player goes down from a heavy tackle or collision, I rush straight on.

“I don’t move them, I just focus on supporting the head and neck.

“You can easily tell how bad it is by how hard they hit the ground or how long they stay down.”

The challenge for Carter isn’t just responding to injuries, it’s preventing them.

In his coaching role, he’s heavily focused on safe tackling techniques and player education.

“You’ve got to start from a young age,” he explained.

“I coach everything from under-7s to the women’s sides, and I always emphasise body height and head position… never tackle front-on.

“Even when someone joins the game in their older years, we go back to basics, teaching them where to put their head in the right spot and eyes up.”

When it comes to policy, Carter supports the NRL’s stand-down rules, which is currently 14 days for juniors and 11 for open grade players, but believes they should go further.

“It’s a good step,” he expressed.

“However, I think they should all do the full two weeks.

“You can get delayed concussion symptoms easily.”

Carter’s perspective deepens when he talks as a parent.

His son also plays, and while he supports his passion, he admits that the risk of concussion is always in the back of his mind.

He agreed that while the NRL’s top-down efforts were strong, there was a lack of ongoing education and accountability at community level.

“I think trainers should be refreshed at the start of each season and given feedback at the end by players or staff,” Carter said.

“Right now, you can do a short course and be thrown straight into the deep end.

“It’s as easy as waking up tomorrow, knowing nothing about rugby league, and becoming a level one blue shirt or water runner.

“It’s a pretty bad and prevalent issue.

“And, it needs to be addressed if the sport is serious about dealing with such issues.”

After hearing from players, parents, coaches, trainers and medical professionals, one thing is clear – concussion awareness in rugby league has come a long way, but there is still work to be done.

While rugby league has taken significant steps forward with stricter protocols, HIAs and improved medical oversight, it’s vital that the sport continues to evolve.

Ongoing research and rule adjustments would ensure that player welfare remains at the heart of the game.

It’d also allow rugby league to be both safe and strong for future generations.

For more sports stories:

• The concussion conversation (Part 1): We were never taught about the risks
• The concussion conversation (Part 2): From premierships to post-game reality
• NEWRL’s open grade return triggers rift with Community Rugby League

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