West Coast Eagles defender Brad Sheppard has announced his retirement following concussion issues.
After assessing medical advice and considering long-term impacts, the decision was made to bring his 216-game career to an end.
The 30-year-old has not played since round 22, where he suffed his second head injury in two months.
Concerns were immediately raised at the time, culminating in a premature retirement.
Drafted with pick #7 in the 2009 ballot, Sheppard became a fan favourite at the Eagles after struggling to get into the team in his first four years.
Sheppard cruelly missed his team's 2018 premiership win over Collingwood, when he injuring his hamstring in the qualifying final only weeks beforehand.
Known for his unfliching attitude and willingness to win contests, he won the West Coast's Chris Mainwaring Medal as best clubman in 2020.
He is now the second West Coast player to retire due to concussion-related reasons this year, with Daniel Venables ending his career in August when it was medically reccomended that he avoid contact sport.
Venables was initially injured in 2019, and did not play again as a result of persistent symptoms.