Former Collingwood, Carlton, and Port Adelaide player Cameron Cloke has hung the boots in local league footy after receiving a punch to the head just prior to the first bounce between the Templestowe Dockers and Boronia Hawks last Saturday.
Cloke fell to the ground and would no longer take part in that game. He took himself to hospital the next day after having trouble sleeping and suffering headaches.
The Eastern Football and Netball League in Victoria laid out the punishment to Boronia captain Harry Burgess, handing down an eight-week ban for a strike to the side of the head.
Boronia President Greg Hannon spoke on the team's Facebook page about the event.
"As a club, we pride ourselves on teaching and playing the game with the right spirit and Harry has consistently demonstrated nothing other than commendable conduct throughout his playing career," Hannon said.
"We extend our best wishes to Cameron Cloke and the Templestowe Football Club."
Cloke however, is more disappointed that he has to retire from the sport that he loves.
"Well I didn't want it to end like this," he wrote in a Templestowe statement.
"It's been a fun journey along the way. I have had the opportunity to play pretty much all over the country, even getting to play an exhibition game in London. I have been fortunate enough to be apart of seven senior premierships that I will cherish forever."
"Thank you to not just my family, but my friends and all the people that have helped me along the way. It won't be forgotten."
Cloke played 58 games in the AFL before being instructed by specialists to retire after several concussion injuries. He also retires with two premierships for local club Bundoora and claimed the 2013 NFNL Best and Fairest after kicking 81 goals in a season.
