A final decision will be made next week when Friend, who is off contract at season's end, meets with the club to make a call on his playing career, according to Nine rugby league reporter Danny Weidler.<\/p>\n
"Crucial meeting next week for Jake Friend regarding concussions and his future," Weidler tweeted.<\/p>\n
"Roosters concerned for one of their favourites and are already making plans for a post-football role. Friend was training during the week but it was separate from the main group."<\/p>\n
https:\/\/twitter.com\/Danny_Weidler\/status\/1378200335991201795<\/a><\/p>\n It's understood if Friend elects to call time on his career early that the club will have an off-field role ready for the veteran to take on.<\/p>\n The champion hooker has played 264 NRL games with the Roosters and was part of three premiership-winning squads with the club, in 2013, 2018 and 2019.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, it was revealed that an 18th player would be added to NRL game-day squads from round five<\/a> after the ARL Commission approved a change in playing conditions.<\/p>\n The 18th man will be used as a concussion substitute but will only be allowed to be called upon if three of his teammates fail a head injury assessment.<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n