Doctor: Don't let Ross play(Ross Passed fit to play Storm)

parragirl · Last edited by parragirl on Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:17 am; edited 2 times in total

Just last week ... Sharks prop Ben Ross is loaded into an ambulance in a neck brace after being knocked out. Photograph: Sam Ruttyn / The Daily Telegraph

March 22, 2008 12:00am

BATTERED Sharks prop Ben Ross has been warned against any Easter Sunday resurrection - with a leading sports doctor warning he risks permanent brain damage if knocked out again.

Dr Lou Lewis, a boxing practitioner for more than 30 years, has called on Ross to be a late withdrawal from tomorrow's blockbuster against Melbourne Storm.

The Sydney specialist has also demanded the NRL introduce a mandatory rest period of at least one game for all players concussed in competition.

"Contact sports like league and union should definitely have legislation in place," Dr Lewis told The Saturday Daily Telegraph.

"Boxing has a universal rule of 28 days and I think these winter codes should follow suit.

"Because the biggest concern here is that the brain is still traumatised.

"And without proper rest it can suffer irreparable damage."

Bulldogs and Australian doctor Hugh Hazard disagrees, however, insisting there is no proof a mandatory rest period is required for concussions.

Ross was knocked unconscious and lost three teeth in a sickening collision with Manly's Josh Perry last Saturday night.

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,26799,23413266-5006066,00.html

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parragirl · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:11 am Post subject:

Ross ready for Storm return

By David Riccio | March 23, 2008 12:00am

COMPLETING one of rugby league's greatest comebacks, Sharks prop Ben Ross has been passed fit to play this afternoon against Melbourne.

Seven days after being stretchered from Brookvale Oval in a neck brace, Ross yesterday received the news he's waited all week for.

"I'm clear to go,'' Ross said.

"I knew by Wednesday that I would be right and I've only got better since.''

With a newly-designed mouthguard, Ross dismissed any fear or trepidation following the most dramatic week of his football career.

"Some things can slow you down, like a shoulder or a knee. But it's only a mouth and my teeth,'' Ross said.

"This won't break me. If anything, I'm even more hungry to get out there.

"I owe my mates as much for winning the game last weekend.''

Yesterday The Sunday Telegraph spoke with Ross's fiancee about the sickening incident.

"It was terrifying,'' Renai said.

"I had Ben's father, David, on the line explaining there were problems with his neck ... then the phone went dead.''

Watching from her TV in Cronulla last Saturday night, the fiancee of Sharks forward Ben Ross froze as the prop lay unconscious on Brookvale Oval.

"I expected Ben to get back up ... but he didn't,'' Renai said.

In a week in which Ross has been praised for his toughness, attitude and commitment to his club and Cronulla team-mates, Renai's story has been missed.

As Ross explained to The Sunday Telegraph: "I scared her to death. She's the legend, not me.

"I look at Renai and her support, what I put her through. I'm a lucky man. I'm playing for my club and my team-mates, but her support makes me want to play for her as well.''

After the collision with Manly prop Josh Perry, Renai called Ross's father, David, who was at the ground. She was told Ross had limited movement in his hands and fingers, then the phone went dead.

"I thought it was maybe because David didn't want to tell me something serious ... or that he was too upset,'' said Renai, 29, a pharmacist in the Shire.

Renai drove straight to Royal North Shore Hospital, where Ross was taken by ambulance.

"I had one thing on my mind and that was to get to hospital and find out what was going on,'' she said.

"I was kind of numb the whole way there ... it was dark and I didn't even know where I was going.''

Was she thinking the worst?

"I didn't know enough to draw any conclusions, I tried not to think about it. I just wanted to see him,'' she said.

"I sat around for another 10 minutes knowing nothing. I was thinking something was seriously wrong. I started to panic then. Once I got in there, I saw he was talking and he was alert and he had movement. I was so relieved.

"Then I saw the blood, his mouth and his teeth hanging out ... and I fainted. I think it was a combination of relief and looking at the state of him. I haven't seen him like that before.''

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,26799,23417457-5006066,00.html
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Skyhunter · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:35 pm Post subject:

Lets hope Ben Ross gets through this game with no problems all the best mate.