League: Appeals on cards as fines over concussions get cut

Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans, Downer NRL Nines rugby league competition. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Newcastle, St George Illawarra and Gold Coast will consider lodging official appeals against the NRL's revised $50,000 fines for concussion protocol breaches.

The three clubs had their fines totalling $350,000 reduced yesterday, with more than half the figure suspended.

It means the Knights and Dragons will be forced to pay $50,000 of their original $100,000 sanction, while the Titans will owe one-third of their original $150,000.

However, the news has done little to impress either the Knights or Dragons, who expressed their disappointment over the matter yesterday.

"The club is disappointed with the NRL's considerations, as we have been with the process," a Dragons statement read.

After reviewing submissions from each club, the NRL said the original breaches had stood, but that it took in to account that last month's indiscretions were their first such offences, when considering the suspended sentences.

The Knights said they were now assessing their options. "Despite the reduction, the club remains disappointed and will now consider the appeal process," a club statement read.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast Titans chief executive Graham Annesley stopped short of accepting the punishment, and said he would speak to the board before making a further decision.

In a letter to the franchises, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg emphasised they had not questioned the integrity or professionalism of their medical staff.

"We acknowledge the difficult job they face in the modern game and we are exploring ways to provide more support to our medical officers."

But Greenberg said the tough stance had to be taken and he had been pleased with the competition-wide response since the original sanctions were announced.

"All clubs have acted responsibly to remove players from the field for head injury assessments and we hope and expect that will continue," Greenberg said.