The Expert Opinion: Top Neurosurgeon Advises Victor Radley to Explore Options for Medical Retirement

One of the top neurosurgeons in Australia believes that Victor Radley should contemplate retirement following another concussion sustained last weekend while playing against the Knights. This marks Radley’s second failed Head Injury Assessment (HIA) this season and his seventh officially recorded concussion over the past four years.

However, Dr Adrian Cohen suggests the actual count may be significantly higher.

“I’d be surprised if the number was only seven in the last four years,” he commented. “What we can affirm is that there are four recognised, documented, and acknowledged concussions. It’s common knowledge that players are reluctant to disclose symptoms, fearing they may be taken off the field during games or even in training.”

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“Moreover, it’s evident that the ‘spotters’ are often compromised and conflicted, leading to under-reporting. Were Victor my patient, my recommendation would be to consider retirement due to the long-term effects of concussions, or at the very least, to take a significant break. The question must be posed for Victor: if not now, when? This mirrors the questions that Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend had to face. How many is too many? How many concussions per season, per year, or throughout a career? Unfortunately, nobody truly knows.”

“There’s no definitive science guiding us here. Anecdotal evidence remains just that. Each individual is unique, yet it’s clear that every impact inflicts damage. The more concussions accumulated, the easier it becomes to acquire them, leading to increased suffering and prolonged recovery times. Hence, in the face of a scientific void, we must rely on a quality that sadly seems scarce when addressing concussions: common sense.”

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The club reported on Tuesday that Radley “has started the standard concussion rehabilitation protocol and is scheduled to consult an independent specialist later in the week.”

Wide World of Sports reached out to the club regarding Dr Cohen’s opinions, but they declined to comment.

DRAGONS DILEMMA AMID FLANAGAN SAGA

St George Illawarra teeters on the brink of losing one of their promising young five-eighths who’s been impressive in the NSW Cup.

Jonah Glover stood out in a recent 38-6 win over Penrith, garnering 15 try assists this season, yet he is unlikely to find a spot in the NRL due to Kyle Flanagan’s presence, which has attracted attention from rival clubs.

This is a frustrating period for the agile playmaker, who not only scored a try but also registered a try assist and made three line breaks against the Panthers, earning him the man of the match accolade. Alongside the dismissed Lachlan Ilias, he has propelled the Dragons to six consecutive NSW Cup victories—yet neither of them has been granted an opportunity by NRL coach Shane Flanagan.

There are whispers that the Tigers view Glover as a potential successor to Lachlan Galvin, who made a notable switch to the Bulldogs earlier this month.

NRL CLUB UNDER SCRUTINY?

Rumours are circulating in the rugby league community that the NRL is on the verge of investigating a well-known franchise for allegedly ‘massaging’ the salary cap.

The club has reportedly devised a method for paying player ‘bonuses’ that is innovative and never attempted before.

This situation presents a grey area, and should the NRL’s salary cap auditor conclude that it’s illegal, the club could face serious repercussions.

WARRIORS YOUNGSTER IN HIGH DEMAND

The successful Warriors team risks losing one of their most talented young forwards to an Australian club. Kayliss Fatialofa, just 20 years old, has scored 10 tries in 14 NSW Cup games this season, attracting significant interest from talent scouts across the league.

The Warriors are conscious of the attention and have proposed a new, enhanced two-year contract for the promising young player to counteract external interest. Having captained the SG Ball team last season, Fatialofa has seamlessly transitioned to senior competitions, and esteemed insiders regard him as the premier second-rower in the NSW Cup.