Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell is calling for a change after controversial concussion rule comes under fire

The start of the NRL season has put the concussion rule under scrutiny as a number of players have been forced off the field due to checks by an independent doctor.

Following the weekend’s action, Raiders manager Ricky Stuart, Dolphins manager Wayne Bennett, Canterbury’s Cameron Ciraldo and Newcastle boss Adam O’Brien all voiced concerns that the independent doctor was overly sensitive when he took players off the field for head injury assessments ( HIA) ordered.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Latrell Mitchell talks about knee injuries.

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Speaking to 7NEWS reporter Michelle Bishop on Sydney Harbor at a promotional event for Tim Tszyu’s fight against Tony Harrison, Souths star Latrell agreed with Mitchell Bennett and called for the system to be scrapped.

“You have to be 100 percent concerned with the welfare of the players,” Mitchell said.

“I think Wayne (Bennett) addressed it — you don’t really need a doctor to tell you when you have a concussion.

“Coaches will not put players in a situation where they play against you if you are not good.

“If you’re not doing well and your head isn’t right, it depends on social assistance.”

Although Mitchell believes the NRL is “handling head knocks well,” he agreed to calls to change the system.

“I just don’t think we need an independent doctor.”

The star full-back suffered a knee injury in South’s win over the Sharks on Saturday but described the injury as “minor”.

“The knee is good,” Mitchell explained.

“Just a minor injury.

“Just a little bruise and be back in the paddock this week.”

Mitchell was full of praise for his brother Shaquai Mitchell, who was forced to play longer than expected after the forward started off the bench and the Rabbitohs’ injury tally increased.

“He (Shaquai) played well,” Mitchell said.

“We (Souths) dropped a couple of forwards and he ended up playing 45 (minutes).

“I was pretty happy with how his match fitness was and how he presented.

“He stood up in the big moments.”

Rabbitoh’s young gun Lachlan Ilias put in an excellent performance in the halves against the Sharks, with Mitchell and fellow Southsman Cody Walker full of praise for the 22-year-old.

“I just told him you need to focus on footy and focus on your job,” Mitchell said.

“He showed what he can do and what he will do in the years to come.”

South’s five-eighths walker described Ilias’ performance as “outstanding”.

“Lachie has been very impressive over the last 18 to 24 months,” Walker told 7NEWS reporter Michelle Bishop.

“Last year when he debuted at 21 and like all of us going through this rough patch in the middle of the season, he impressed me.

“The work he did when we had that send-off, he worked on himself and really made an effort to change his game and improve it.

“He had a fantastic end of the season and picked up where we left off last year.

“Very impressed with his work ethic and I’m happy for him.”

The Souths meet incumbent Premier Penrith in a delicious clash on Thursday night, and Walker expects the Panthers to bounce back from their shock first-round loss to the Broncos.

After the loss, Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai and forward Jaeman Salmon were caught on camera having a heated argument and Walker said he had no problems with the team-mates’ actions.

“If someone isn’t doing their job and you let them go, you probably have more problems,” Walker said.

“It’s one of those things as half or five eighths that we need the other players to do their jobs.

“It probably wasn’t the place for it, but emotions are in the moment and I’m for it.

“At the end of the day they show they want to win and Jarome needs him (Salmon) to get better.

“If you don’t have those conversations and let things slide, then there are more problems at your club.”