The enforcement of "tougher concussion guidelines has increased the possibility of an 18th man being introduced next season" as part of the National Rugby League's review of the interchange. The review is expected to lead to a "reduction in interchanges from 10 to eight or six per team" but the NRL is also open to "changes to the composition of the bench to include substitutes." NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg has also asked the doctor leading the review to consider "whether the bench should be extended to five players, with the possible addition of a medical replacement" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 4/9). ... There is a "serious stand-off looming" when the Football Federation Australia board "hands down its punishment" for A-League side Perth's alleged salary cap breaches, "because the serious stuff seems to relate to this season." What Perth cannot understand is how it "can be punished when the books only get audited at the end of the season." The club wants to know how it "can be charged effectively with intent to breach the cap" when the season has not finished yet (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 4/9).
