Collingwood AFLW star Ash Brazill reveals severe effect of concussion following Fremantle match

Collingwood cross-code star Ash Brazill has revealed the serious effect a Round 3 concussion took on her, saying she slept for a week and couldn’t leave her house without vomiting.

Ash Brazill marks against Carlton on Saturday night. Pic: AAP

Cross-code star Ash Brazill has revealed the toll of a brutal concussion that left her unable to leave the house without vomiting.

The Collingwood recruit — who has also represented Australia in netball and plays in the Super Netball League for the Magpies — missed last weekend’s loss to Greater Western Sydney after she was concussed in Round 3 against Fremantle.

The 29-year-old admitted she was surprised by the extent of her injury.

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“It was a bit of a shock to the system. I was able to run off the ground and really chat to the doctors and the physios (about) how I was feeling … I still don’t remember that,” Brazill said on Women’s Footy.

“They reckon about five minutes later, I freaked out and didn’t know where I was. I thought I was back living in Perth playing (netball) for (West Coast) Fever and I just broke down thinking I was back playing with my old side.

Ashl Brazill was concussed against Fremantle in Round 3. Pic: AAP

“Nothing made sense. They were telling me I was playing for Collingwood, I thought I was late to the game, it’s a scary feeling. Not just for me, but my parents were at home and thought I was fine because I ran off laughing. My wife was in the crowd, which was good, but I then was at home for a week and couldn’t leave the house without being sick.

“It’s something I didn’t realise was that serious and concussion is definitely a big shock to the system.”

Women are at greater risk of concussion than men, with outspoken player agent Peter Jess warning that AFL Women’s could face an “intergenerational nightmare”.

Brazill — who returned to play in Saturday night’s five-point loss to Carlton, notching 13 disposals — said she still had lapses in her memory, including forgetting that a mural had been painted in her honour in recent weeks, but said she had passed all tests to return.

“The first Monday (after it) we were trying to get me back to the club and I got in there, but from that point I actually got worse,” she explained.

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“They just let me stay home. I didn’t leave the bedroom — pitch black. I slept the whole week — I’ve never slept so much and the lead-up to this game there was a bit of testing I had to get through — a couple of netball sessions and football, but I got there in the end.

“Once you cross the line, you forget you’ve got niggles. The ball went up in the air and I was running backwards. I still went for it.”

Collingwood remains without a win so far this season, with Brazill — who has been a revelation for the Magpies — confident that the team can snap its unwanted streak.

Ash Brazill marks against Carlton on Saturday night. Pic: AAP