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Former Sea Eagles enforcer Mark ‘Spudd” Caroll has sent an impassioned plea to the NRL, hoping to introduce lengthy stand down periods to combat CTE.
Following Broncos legend Corey Parker’s reveal he suffers from symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, caused by repeated head knocks and concussions.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Carroll labelled the NRL’s current 11-day concussion stand down period “bullshit” called for a three-week lay off.
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“If you’re a boxer, it’s at least 30 days if not longer. It used to be 7 days in the NRL, then they went to 11 days because some metrics, determined by a computer, recommended that time frame,” Carroll said.
“Longer stand downs will hurt clubs and their rosters but it’s in the best interests of the player.
“It should be at least three weeks, what’s 11 days if a player has been diagnosed with a concussion? It’s not long enough.”
The first stage of CTE commonly sees those affected suffer from headaches and a reduction in concentration, while the second stage can bring about depression and mood swings.
Individuals can also experience impulsivity, suicidal thoughts and experience executive dysfunction.
Carroll himself has previously spoken about his own struggles with CTE symptoms, having been tested after seeing how head knocks had effected fellow legend Mario Fenech.
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In 2022 Fenech revealed he was struggling with dementia, being brought about by CTE with full time care needed in the future.
Meanwhile, Parker admitted on SEN he had been suffering with CTE symptoms and said “the damage is done”.
Carroll urged Parker to see a neurologist and “put down the guard” instead of shrugging off the potential effects of CTE.
“I did that myself after the Mario Fenech story, and I thought about my mate Peter Johnston, who was one of the biggest hitters in the game,” Carroll said.
“He knocked Mario out a few times. So I went and got a test thinking I would be fine but it came back with concerns.
“Ask for the test. It’s what we are trying to do now, myself and James Graham are close to getting the NRL on board to help past players.”
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