Aidan Sezer will NOT play in Super League Grand Final
Leeds coach Rohan Smith has confirmed that half-back Aidan Sezer has been ruled out of the Super League Grand Final against St Helens.
The Australian playmaker suffered concussion in Friday’s 20-8 semi-final win at Wigan. He was the victim of a late and high hit from Wigan forward John Bateman, who was sent off.
Sezer passed his head injury assessment – but he won’t be available to play in Saturday’s Grand Final due to still showing symptoms of concussion.
“Aidan won’t be available this week,” Smith said. “I had a conversation with our doctor yesterday who has been in conversation with Super League’s chief medical officer.
“I believe it’s the category one symptoms is the determining factor about being able to return to play, whether that be in the game or the following week. He will not be available.”
Aidan Sezer and Morgan Gannon ruled out of Grand Final
Leeds forward Morgan Gannon will also not be available for selection for the big dance. He’s not passed all the return to play protocols yet.
“Morgan Gannon won’t be selected this week,” Smith added.
“He hasn’t undergone all of the protocols anyway and wouldn’t be available. But he also wouldn’t be selected given that he’s such a young player coming off such a significant situation. He’s unavailable and wouldn’t be selected due to his age and playing the long game.
“He has to be symptom free for a period of time and he had symptoms for several days at least after the incident, so we made the decision as a club that we weren’t going to try and accelerate a return to play for him given that he’s an 18-year-old boy with his second head knock of the season.”
Smith says it is unlikely that wingers Ash Handley and David Fusitu’a will be back in time for the Grand Final.
Meanwhile, centre Harry Newman will play no further part in 2022, meaning he will miss the upcoming World Cup.
PODCAST: Gil Dudson on Catalans red mist, winning Wigan, World Cup fears and reigniting Warrington
FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app and podcast
