Former Geelong and Essendon player, John Barnes is set to lead a concussion damages action against the AFL and its clubs following ongoing effects of head knocks post football.
Barnes, who was part of Essendon's 2000 premiership team, retired at the end of 2001 after 202 career matches (144 with Geelong and 58 with Essendon).
The 48-year-old, who has agreed to be a lead plaintiff in the proposed Federal Court action, fears neurological impairments, including memory loss, anger and being diagnosed with epilepsy five years ago, are linked with concussions he suffered during his playing career.
โItโs turned my life upside down ... Iโm not the same bloke I used to be,โ Barnes told the Herald Sun.
โI know things are changing in my mind and I want answers.โโ
Barnes has suffered nine seizures since being diagnosed with epilepsy five years ago.
โIโm going downhill fast and all the damage has been done," Barnes added.
โI had three broken jaws playing footy and was concussed probably half a dozen times.
โOther times, you just shook it off and kept going, and that could have been three knocks a game that stun you like a mullet.
โYou donโt think much about it at the time as a kid, because thatโs what you love to do โ you love playing the game.
โI played loose in the backline all the time and got about five punches to the back of the head every week.
โItโs small things that turn into bigger things. I walk around the house and go: โWhy am I in the kitchen?โ Then I walk out again and say: โOh, thatโs rightโ.โ
