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<\/p>\nThe NRL preliminary finals were plagued with a second concussion controversy in 24 hours, after Christian Welch was allowed to stay on the field for several minutes after a head knock. <\/p>\n
After a tackle went wrong in the opening stages, the Maroons prop eventually left the field a few minutes later.<\/p>\n
He would go on to fail his HIA test, leaving the Storm with 15 players for the second half after Brandon Smith was also ruled out. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
"He should have gone off from the time that the Melbourne Storm trainer stopped the game," Commentator Phil Gould said.<\/p>\n
It comes less than a day after Manly prop Sean Keppie was allowed to stagger around the field for an entire set of six before play was eventually stopped.<\/p>\n
At least in this case, the trainer's call came and forced a stoppage – which made it even more confusing as to why Welch kept playing. <\/p>\n
"They just refused to go, I suppose, and the referee didn't hold them accountable," Gould said.<\/p>\n
"Christian Welch had to leave the field the moment the trainer stopped the game, and he's been out there for now seven minutes since."<\/p>\n
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