These days Brisbane veteran Sam Thaiday shakes his head over what constituted a concussion test when he first started in the NRL 14 years ago.
That is why he will have no problem with recovering Broncos winger Corey Oates missing Friday night's preliminary final against Melbourne after last week's sickening head knock.
Oates was named to play in the grand final qualifier at AAMI Park but Brisbane won't make a final call until at least Thursday following last week's horror collision with teammate Anthony Milford.
Thaiday said Oates' scoring firepower would be needed if Brisbane were to upset runaway title favourites the Storm and book a second grand final in three years.
However, the evergreen forward was relieved Oates would not be rushed back onto the field like he would have been in the past.
"It was a simple 'are you OK?'. Then it was 'get up and get back in the defensive line'," Thaiday said.
"The game has evolved and come a long way since I started playing in 2003."
Thaiday was relieved it was no longer considered brave to return to the defensive line concussed.
"You talk about the toughness of those players but you've got to think was it tough or was it silly?" he said.
"There's a fair few repercussions now with ex-players who just got back into the line and kept on playing.
"You still want to hold a conversation with someone when you're finished footy ... so you have to look at your life in the long term."
Thaiday knows all too well what Oates must do next to play against the Storm.
Thaiday failed an head injury assessment in their round 16 win in Canberra three months ago.
He had to complete a series of tests along with a brain scan before he was cleared to play Melbourne the next week off the bench.
"I was a bit filthy but I could understand why I couldn't go back out there," Thaiday said.
"The doctor has to do his job. He is accountable for putting players back out on the field.
"There is a fair bit involved trying to get back but thankfully it does come down to a doctor's decision."
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