Paul Seedsman is beloved by two separate footy fanbases.
The lanky utility famously won an Anzac Day Medal as best on ground for Collingwood in their victory in the 2015 season's marquee home and away fixture, and endeared himself to Adelaide faithful with his style of play after his defection.
But concussion symptoms stemming from a 2021 head knock cut Seedsman's career short, putting a full stop after 132 games.
"It's the day to day,” he said on SEN.
"You come to terms with losing your footy career, but it's your life (afterwards) that you never really put any thought or time into. You sort of think you leave it on the footy field and then you move onto the next phase - which is inevitable, every single person is going to do that.
"But when (the symptoms) impact you through everything – your ability to work, your ability to sleep, headaches every day. It just impacts everything.
"One person described it as a bit of a battery life - when you're not able to sleep, everything drains your battery.
"If you get into the yellow battery, then your symptoms are starting to increase. If you get into the red battery - you're in all sorts. If your battery goes flat that's where you're in bed for a few days, and I've had that a number of times. It sort of bleeds into weeks at times.
"It's hard, but there's a choice. I try to choose to look for the good. I use a gratitude journal each night. I write 10 things that I'm grateful for each day because it reminds me of the good things that are going on in life, and so for me, it's trying to focus on that."
Despite making healthy and proactive choices, that he may be the best husband and father possible, Seedsman concedes some days are better than others.
"I'd be lying if I said that I win every day, and that I don't succumb to it (the mental challenges)," he said.
"The days are very, very long when you're not doing that and when you're in pain – it becomes quite a bit.
"All those things and having good people around me have kept me going, and obviously my little family as well.
"(My kids) have made it easier because of the purpose it gives me. That's what I'm trying to put back into my life – is purpose.
"But I won't lie, I remember one time I was having a really bad day with my daughter, and she got the better of me. I went outside … to get some fresh air, a bit defeated – she came out and gave me a big cuddle and I just thought 'wow – how good's that?'
"I didn't like that she knew Dad was upset – but I loved the way she was able to do that. I just thought how goods this – a little treasure like this to fight for and keep fighting for."
