League: Warriors adamant over Mannering decision

Warriors skipper Simon Mannering returned to the field after suffering a head knock against the Rabbitohs. Photo / Getty Images

The Warriors are adamant captain Simon Mannering was fit to return to the field in Saturday's defeat to South Sydney, despite being forced from the park with a head knock late in the first half.

Mannering was visibly dazed and struggled to find his feet after an attempted tackle on Rabbitohs lock Jason Clark, and had to be assisted from the field eight minutes before halftime at Perth's NIB Stadium.

Eyebrows were raised when the 28-year-old lock led his side back down the tunnel for the second-half, but Warriors managing director Jim Doyle says Mannering successfully passed all the required concussion tests and satisfied club doctor, Doc Mayhew, that he was fit to resume playing.

"We are 100 percent confident in the doctor and he went through all the protocols, which Simon passed, obviously," Doyle said.

"The SCAT test and everything that was necessary [he passed] and the doctor felt that he was fine to go back on the field.

"So we support the doctor. He's the only person in the club who makes that decision and that's part of our organisational policy. There's no one with any influence other than the doctor and we support his decision making."

The NRL's recent crackdown on concussion saw the Parramatta Eels hit with a $20,000 fine ($10,000 suspended) back in April, after hooker Nathan Peats was allowed to return to play in the round three clash against the Warriors.

In the wake of that incident, NRL head of football Todd Greenberg explained the NRL's new hard-line stance against head-knocks, by saying: "If a player falls to the ground without taking protective action or loses consciousness they are not to return to the field. There will be no need to undergo further assessments and tests - the player is to sit out the rest of the match.

"This will take the pressure off club doctors because, if players exhibit these signs it is compulsory that they are removed from the field and do not return."

Sky TV reported during that game that Mayhew had been vocal in his disapproval of Peats' return and questions have been raised as to why Mannering was allowed to do the same.

Doyle dismissed comparisons between the two incidents and reiterated his support and confidence in Mayhew's judgement.

"Not from our point of view [there is no issue]," he said. "I'm not a medical practitioner, I can't tell you whether a player is concussed or not concussed.

"That's what the doctors are there for and we are 100 percent confident in the doctor and the decisions he makes."