James Tedesco has called for NRL's 18-man policy changes to allow for more straightforward concussion replacements. He admitted he felt helpless in the sheds as the Sydney Roosters' season ended with almost no bookings.
Tedesco suffered a game-ending concussion in Sunday afternoon's brutal knockout loss to South Sydney after taking a high shot from Rabbitoh prop George Burgess.
Burgess was charged but not convicted of the act.
A grade two careless high tackle charge and will miss two games for the hit.
Tedesco had initially passed an off-field health test but began feeling dizzy upon returning from the Locke, winning the Brad Fittler Medal as the New South Wales home state player of the year.
Tedesco's injury contributed to an afternoon of terror for the Roosters. The latter also lost Angus Crichton to a separate concussion in the first half and Daniel Tupou to a groin problem.
However, under NRL rules, the 18th man replacement can only be activated when the injury results from a no-bin or sending-off offense or when three HIAs have been missed.
It meant the Roosters couldn't use his replacement and add another man to their extended baseline, even though Burgess was called for another high shot a minute later and is now banned.
Tedesco has asked the NRL to look to lower the bar for a concussion substitute when the blow to the head occurs as a result of reportable foul play.
We had two HIAs and another injury. It would have been nice to have trouble seeing the team's final exit, as he acknowledged. I was devastated about that.
"It wasn't how we wanted to play. We got too emotionally involved, and in the end, it was to our detriment. We bought the emotional stuff, which was what we didn't want to do.
That comes into play. Liddle's move to the Dragons also comes after Ben Hunt switched.
Ryan Sutton's great final exile was finally over after he overcame a finger problem to be called up to the Canberra squad to face Parramatta in place of the injured Adam Elliott.
Now playing his final season with the Raiders, Sutton spent the 2019 and 2020 Finals on the sidelines due to injuries.
A similar fate seemed likely this year when he suffered what was expected to be a season-ending finger injury last month before his move to Canterbury.
Ryan Sutton of the Raiders. (AAP Image/Rohan Thomson)
But the 27-year-old recovered in time and will now be a helpful presence on the Raiders' bench after Adam Elliott's pelvic injury.
Now he has his chance, and I am sure he will take it with both hands."
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