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WAYNE Bennett doesn't often pick up the telephone and ring this newspaper.
But the supercoach is seriously annoyed about the recent coverage of concussion and brain injuries in rugby league.
Anyone who knows Bennett will tell that he has always regarded player welfare more importantly than two competition points.
Recently he has been accused in certain sections of the media of ignoring the dangers of head injuries.
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"Duty of care is something I really value and care about," he said.
"Some of the stuff that has been written about one of my players, Robbie Rochow, is factually wrong and an insult to our doctor and physio.
"No-one takes this stuff more seriously than I do. The drama queens are in play now. You've got to wait and listen to the experts."
Greg Inglis concussed on Friday. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
So over the weekend he put me in touch with one of the country's most prominent medical specialists.
Professor Chris Levi is a neurologist and director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the brain and mental health program.
This is the email he sent me.
"A responsible medical scientist would be shouted down for claiming 'proof' of a cause for a medical condition based on anecdote, case report and low level evidence," he says.
"Claiming a 'cause and effect' relationship between concussion and neurological illness in rugby league players is not justified.
"High quality, reliable scientific evidence is currently lacking. Naïve media reporting scientific data can, at times, unintentionally mislead or sensationalise.
"The work highlighted by Peter Fitzsimons recently is preliminary and has serious flaws.
"In contrast, Wayne Bennett's recent comments in the media recently were balanced and appropriate based on the current level of understanding of any potential long-term impact of concussion.
"Where there is concern but a lack of scientific evidence, it is appropriate to adopt caution and undertake rigorous research.
Greg Inglis concussed on Friday. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
"The NRL has done the former and medical researchers in Australia are doing the latter.
"In medical science there are standards of proof required before pronouncements are made about causes of disease.
"I do not expect journalists to be expert in critical appraisal of scientific studies and evidence.
"However, the non-medical expert members of the public should expect a balanced reporting and should expect not to be misled."
Another senior neurologist Dr Sam Sorrenti supported by what Professor Levi is saying.
Two years ago your columnist proudly led the campaign to get rid of the shoulder charge.
It was for one reason only – that medical experts, far more qualified than coaches and officials, wanted it banned.
Again we should be listening to them.
Three former players, out of the tens of thousands that have played the game, have gone public with claims of brain damage.
It a tiny percentage of all those who have played the game.
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WING COMMANDERS
WINGERS have become the most skilful players in rugby league. Every week there's an acrobatic try that defies belief.
Brett Morris's effort on half-time against the Sharks was as spectacular as you'll ever see.
In the old days wingers had speed but that was about it.
Now they play as an extra forward, take marks like AFL players and have the body control of gymnasts.
Throw in the defensive work covering overlaps, quick turnarounds to chase, stopping 40-20s and defusing bombs.
It shows why they're among the most valuable players in any salary cap.
As for Morris, he's the best of the lot and is loving playing outside men as skilful as Gareth Widdop and Gerard Beale. At Penrith, Dean Whare scored a screamer on Saturday as well.
The best flanker I've seen was Parramatta's Eric Grothe in the early to mid-80s.
I rang him yesterday to have a rave about today's wingers.
"In my day if you had a couple if runs you'd be happy with that," he said.
"Now it's such a hard position to play. They're skilled in all areas and really impressive in everything they do."
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JAMIE'S CLASS PASS
Speaking of special skill, Jamie Soward's match-winning pass against the Bulldogs on Saturday would have made King Wally Lewis proud.
It was a moment of class, brilliance and football genius.
The Panthers were gone. A minute and a half on the clock. Down by four. They work play to the left.
The much-maligned Soward gets the footy near the centre of the field, just to the left of the uprights.
He shoots a bullet-like pass, cutting out two players. It lands straight on Kevin Naiqama's chest. Try time.
Matt Moylan converts from the sideline and the Panthers get the cash. Soward also set up the first try with a kick for Whare.
Maybe Phillip Ronald was right. Maybe Jamie Soward is a marquee player after all.
GUESSING REFEREES
Referees should be stopped from having to guess on doubtful tries before they go upstairs to the video box.
The number of calls that they are getting wrong this season is an unnecessary embarrassment.
Under Tony Archer's leadership there have been twice as many video referrals this year. That's fine — if the technology is there they should use it. But why make a call when there is enough doubt to go upstairs.
Within the space of three minutes at Penrith on Saturday, the refs got two calls wrong with Tyrone Peachey and Tim Lafai.
They also got a Brett Morris call wrong at Shark Park and another one later in the match. They should either award a try or go upstairs and leave it to the officials who can study the video.
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HIGHLIGHT
Nice to see good sportsmanship on social media. Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona accidently knocked out superstar Greg Inglis in a nasty collision on Friday night.
Straight after the game he contacted the Rabbitohs fullback via Twitter: "@greg_inglis hope your well bro''
To which Inglis replied: "@timsimona all good bro.. Cheers for the tweet man.. Just one of those things man.. All good.''
LOWLIGHT
There is not a more unpopular player in rugby league than the once admired Sam Burgess.
He continues to behave like a lunatic and is doing his team no favours with his undisciplined actions.
ENNIS FEELS HEAT
Michael Ennis is a man under huge pressure at the Bulldogs.
You could see it when he argued and exchanged heated words with team mate Josh Reynolds in the game against the Panthers.
Ennis knows the Dogs haven't paid $900,000 and provided Michael Lichaa with a car to play NSW Cup.
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