Spencer Leniu, a Penrith support, has urged the NRL to allow a week off before the grand finals to save players from the same concussion heartbreak he almost went through last year.
Leniu was given a late clearance to play for Penrith in the 2022 decider after suffering a concussion after a reckless high tackle from South Sydney winger Taane Milne in last week’s semifinals.
Under NRL concussion protocols in effect that year, Leniu would have been automatically disqualified from the grand finals without being able to prove his fitness.
The Panthers prop insists a solution needs to be found, whether it’s players signing waivers to go on the field or Andrew Johns’ suggestion of a two-week period between the provisional final and to meet the grand finale.
“A week off would be the ideal way to do that,” Leniu said.
“Not just for me, but as a fan.
“If Nathan Cleary, Latrell Mitchell or Cody Walker got a concussion the week before the grand finals, everyone would be devastated.
“You go through a grueling preseason, then 29 games to get to this point. It would be such a shame for them to get headbutted.”
About 21 players have been banned from games since the NRL’s 11-day mandatory standdown was introduced last month.
This year’s schedule is unlikely to be changed, but Leniu wants the league to consider a gap for next season.
The 22-year-old has previously experienced the disappointment of missing a deciding set. In 2020, he was devastated after being isolated from Penrith’s squad with a virus at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said being cleared by the specialists for last year’s grand final was as much a cheer as winning the match and he didn’t want others to be deprived of that opportunity.
“I’m sure the topic will come up a lot in Finals or Origin. And it should be,” said Leniu.
“Our sport is a contact sport and there are injuries at every game
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“If those rules were in place last year, it would have been really heartbreaking. It would have been pretty tough.
“As a Rugby League fan, I want to see the best play the game.
“A week off and then the grand final would help both teams prepare as best they can.”
Penrith captain and NSW half-back Nathan Cleary said Lenius’ call offered a possible solution.
“Maybe it’s the answer,” Cleary said. “You just want to play the best players on the biggest day.
“Last year it would have been difficult for Spenny if someone had fouled him and he missed the grand final.
“You don’t want people to miss big games like this because of concussions.”
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