Former draftee slams AFL over concussion plight

An AFL draftee whose life was upended by a concussion injury says he "was so close to ending everything".

Aiden O'Driscoll, who had to retire because of a devastating training injury without making his AFL debut, also slammed the league as an "absolute joke".

"The last couple of years I've experienced nothing but pain, and I've explained it multiple times to you. You're supposed to help AFL players through hardship, not leave them with absolutely nothing," O'Driscoll wrote in his extensive Instagram post.

His comments came a day after Geelong announced defender Jake Kolodjashnij had retired.

Last month, the Cats were fined $140,000 and current AFL chairman Craig Drummond apologised after it emerged the club had agreed to a secret concussion waiver with Kolodjashnij. Drummond was Geelong president at the time the agreement was struck.

The Geelong controversy highlighted the complexity and sensitivity around contact sport's concussion crisis.

The Western Bulldogs recruited O'Driscoll in the 2023 draft. But a head injury that summer left him with significant ongoing health problems and the club announced in May, 2024 that he had retired on medical grounds.

"The doctors described my concussion as 'one of the worst' they've seen, with eight micro brain bleeds, and (a) fracture behind my ear," O'Driscoll wrote.

"From a medical point of view, losing my career, my identity plus going through the symptoms I have, you'd think the AFL would be useful with some support?

O'Driscoll added it took the AFL six weeks to find him a psychologist.

"Through this period, I was grieving the most, it got to the point where I started questioning my life? If it was worth living?," he wrote.

"I was so close to ending everything, I would've been free from all the pain/trauma. My family/close friends and partners honestly kept me here."

Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw also had to retire in 2024 because of his concussion issues.

In his emotional toast to other retiring players at the Brownlow Medal function that year, Brayshaw referred to O'Driscoll by name.

"I know a few other past players that are dealing with the same issues as I am," O'Driscoll said.

"AFL it's time to step up! I'm a 21-year-old that can't keep suffering each week. While you're at it, help the other past players that need support."

O'Driscoll added he had been told at 18 never to play contact sport again.

The AFL and the players' association were contacted for comment.