Turbo named to return as Bulldogs seek Mahoney exemption

Tom Trbojevic and Reed Mahoney have both been named to play for their clubs in Round 15 of the Telstra Premiership, despite being removed from the field for Head Injury Assessments within the past week. 

• NRL Team Lists: Round 15

Trbojevic is eligible for selection despite being removed from the field in Origin I as a Category 1 HIA, because clinical diagnosis later determined he had not suffered a concussion.

The fullback is therefore free to train and play as normal and does not require an exemption, given the 11-day stand down policy introduced in March this year applies only to players who have been clinically diagnosed with concussion.

Bulldogs skipper Mahoney meanwhile was removed from the field during his side's 25-24 loss to the Roosters last Sunday as a Category 2 head injury assessment and was subsequently diagnosed with concussion. 

As a result, he is automatically subject to the 11-day stand down period, but the club can apply for an exemption based on specific criteria being met.

Under the exemption criteria, Mahoney will only be able to return to train and play against the Eels on Monday if declared fully fit following a review by an independent neurological expert appointed by the NRL. 

The above processes were all part of the 11-day stand down policy when it was originally announced earlier this year. 

In other news, Titans powerhouse David Fifita will miss Thursday night's clash against the Wests Tigers after presenting possible delayed concussion symptoms following Round 14, the club said in a statement. 

He is expected to be available for Queensland in Origin II, with his place in the Gold Coast squad taken by Klese Haas. 

Selwyn Cobbo is on track to take the field for the Broncos after missing last week's win over the Sharks with a hip complaint, while his Maroons teammate Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be back in action for the Dolphins after sitting out the trip to Auckland to play the Warriors in Round 14. 

Former Knight Jack Cogger gets first crack at the Panthers' No.7 jersey with Nathan Cleary out, while the Eels are set to be boosted by the early return of prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who has been named to start despite his expected return to play being set down for closer to Round 18. 

Dylan Brown has been named at five-eighth for the Eels, subject to determination of the No-Fault Stand Down Condition.

After a week off, Jarrod Croker is back in the centres for Canberra to play his 300th game and is set to have a rookie marking him, with the Warriors naming Ali Leiataua to debut in the game on Friday night at GIO Stadium.