Panthers hitman Adam Docker says he won't be changing his tackling technique despite suffering his third concussion of the season against the Wests Tigers last Sunday.
Docker left the field late in his side's 24-10 win at Leichhardt Oval and although he passed the sideline SCAT3 test, didn't return.
The Tigers match was Docker's second since recovering from another head knock he copped against the Titans in Round 13, and was rested for two weeks. But the latest hit has the Dragons junior now concerned for his wellbeing.
"I am a little bit, because it is my footy career on the line and I've got to look after myself first. Hopefully everything's okay," Docker said.
"I had to go for the concussion test in Newcastle [in Round 9], so I don't know what's going to happen now. This is my third or fourth concussion this year – I reckon we'll be looking into it and see what the go is."
Reminded of Wests Tigers forward Liam Fulton mulling retirement after his own string of concussions this year, Docker said he was satisfied the club were looking after his welfare.
"I haven't even thought about [Fulton] at all. I'll just take it as it comes, really. If it ever gets too bad, well then I'll talk with the club about it," he said.
"If it's concerning myself and if it's best for me [to be rested] obviously I'm going to have to accept it and go with it. But fingers crossed hopefully it's nothing too bad or anything like that."
Coach Ivan Cleary said that the club had closely monitored Docker's progress since his first bout with concussion against the Knights in the opening game of the season.
"He's had a couple. Nothing's been too bad. It's just the style he plays, I think. He's 100 miles an hour," Cleary said.
"We're obviously keeping an eye on everybody and anyone who has concussion. It doesn't matter how light it is, we obviously go through the same process and we'll be doing that with him."
No matter what the outcome, Docker vowed not to compromise his hard-nosed approach to defence. Alongside 'Bash Brother' Nigel Plum, the 23-year-old has become a fan favourite at the foot of the mountains because of his notoriously big hits.
"Nah, I'll never change. I'll always tackle the same and go in as hard as I do. I definitely won't be changing my tackling technique," he said.
Panthers second-rower Elijah Taylor also came off in the second half of Sunday's game with concussion but wasn't of any serious concern post-game.
