NRL legend Ray Price has implored referees to punish players who endanger their opposition with dangerous tackles and head-high hits.
Price played 259 brutal games for the Parramatta Eels between 1976 and 1986 as a lock-forward, and recent scans have revealed bruising to his brain.
Price told Andrew Voss that he would rather referees police the game instead of managing it to protect player health and safety.
“I do (still love rugby league), but there are a lot of people tampering with the rules of the game,” Price said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I believe the referees have got the rules to pass judgement on the players that do bad things, but they refuse to do it.
“They’ve got the rules, they’ve got no excuse, send them off.”
The former Dally M medallist believes he is struggling with brain damage now due to being on the receiving end of constant illegal hits above the shoudler.
“I do (think the officiating should be stricter), because I wouldn’t be in the situation that I am now with suffering from brain damage, that’s what doctors are saying,” Price added.
“It (brain injury) wouldn’t have happened had the referees penalised people who were head-high tackling.”
Listen to Price’s full chat with Voss below.