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propertyHome/Sport/FootballKade Kolodjashnij reveals toll of AFL concussionsBy Hamish GealeUpdated November 26 2020 - 5:48pm, first published 5:30pmBy Hamish GealeUpdated November 26 2020 -

5:48pm, first published 5:30pmFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyCALLING TIME: Former no. 5 draft pick Kade Kolodjashnij in action for Melbourne. Pictures: Melbourne Media Former Launceston

star Kade Kolodjashnij contemplated retiring for "12-18 months" before calling time on his 80-game AFL career on Wednesday.

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50% off EOFY SaleAll articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperCrosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll other regional websites in your areaContinue After a dazzling start

to his career at Gold Coast, the 25-year-old was struck down by a succession of concussion injuries that limited him to just two games with Melbourne in the past two years.

"I had a head knock last November in week one of pre-season and I felt like at that time I sort of knew it was maybe the writing on the wall," Kolodjashnij told SEN.

"I've had about 10-15 concussions throughout my career and I just couldn't keep up to the demands of AFL.

"The more knocks I had the more prolonged the symptoms were.

"The last knock took me a good six months to get back exercising so I sort of knew then and there it was time."

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Kolodjashnij reveals toll of AFL concussions Kolodjashnij played 59 games in his first three years in the AFL and averaged 22.3 disposals from 22 games in his second season.

The twin brother of Geelong 100-gamer Jake said he was feeling "back to near 100 per cent" after a year without contact training, but knew it was the right time to retire.

"In the early days I'd cop knocks and get straight back up and I'd be fine," he said.

"Then as my career went along I just wasn't pulling up well from these knocks.

"I had very blurry vision, I just couldn't process information, even out on the field at times I'd try to keep playing after a knock and just couldn't read the play like I normally would.

"My symptoms were prolonged as well - I'd wake up the next day and have those really bad headaches and I'd struggle to get out of bed at times.

"As hard as it is to walk away I've learned so much and grown so much as a player and person over the past seven years and I wouldn't take that back."

"I'm so fortunate I got an opportunity to play AFL - it didn't work out the way I planned but that's life."

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ShareFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyHamish GealeJournalistHamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner.Got good news? Email: [email protected] Geale is a senior reporter at

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