Anthony Seibold has led renewed calls for the NRL to reconsider their concussion protocols after Manly were left scrambling to cover the loss of two outside backs in a defeat to the Sydney Roosters.
Seibold was proud of his undermanned Sea Eagles side as they went down to a 34-30 loss on Saturday, nearly overcoming a 22-point deficit while missing winger Jason Saab and centre Reuben Garrick.
Both players were taken for first-half head injury assessments and did not return.
Saab was hit high by Roosters centre Michael Jennings while Garrick was ordered off the field after he was spotted stumbling out of a ruck by the NRL’s independent doctor.
It left Seibold searching to plug gaps in his already depleted backline.
At one point Ben Trbojevic - a second-rower who was named to start at centre - was filling in on the wing.
Seibold said if the NRL are to be so cautious in diagnosing concussions, they ought to consider allowing coaches the safety blanket of access to larger benches with the freedom to activate any four players on the interchange.
“The doctor in the bunker said that he (Garrick) had a slight stumble, apparently, so we lose him for the rest of the game and he’s in there going ‘Seibs, I can’t believe I’ve been ruled out’,” Seibold said.
“You might have 18 players and there might be that ability to have one extra player there that is not an interchangeable player but is a player that can be a replacement and you can use them.
“If the bunker is going to be that strict on players, then how do you prepare for that? It’s really difficult to prepare for.
“Priority number one, two and three is the welfare and protection of the players because it’s a tough game and they need to be protected.”
Seibold’s views were backed up by Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, who said Manly’s predicament on Saturday gave the game “food for thought”.
"The whole concussion movement is a great priority, and as a player I 100 per cent back it," Cherry-Evans said.
"But whether we’ve got it right or not just yet, I don’t know."
On a bye in round 22, Manly will hope that Garrick and Saab will be back on deck for their next game, away to Canberra.
Seibold is hoping Lehi Hopoate will be back from an eye injury to face the Raiders, while prop Matt Lodge and hooker Lachlan Croker are expected to make their return to NRL action via reserve grade.
