West Coast defender Brad Sheppard announces AFL retirement because of ongoing concussion symptoms

West Coast’s Brad Sheppard has played his last AFL game after choosing to put his long-term health first

Heartbroken Eagle Brad Sheppard has retired immediately from the AFL amid ongoing and debilitating concussion symptoms from two incidents this year.

The 30-year-old defender announced his retirement via a club statement on Tuesday after revealing his decision in an “emotional” speech to teammates and staff earlier.

He is the second West Coast player this year to call time on his AFL career because of concussion complications.

Ex-Eagle Daniel Venables detailed in an eye-opening interview with News Corp Australia how severely the brain injury had impacted his life.

Sheppard made his call after receiving medical advice and with his long-term health in mind.

He played 20 of his 216 matches this year and was his typically reliable self but separate concussions against Carlton in Round 12 and Fremantle in Round 22 left him with lingering issues.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson spoke to reporters after the news broke but Sheppard opted not to at the end of an emotion-charged day.

Eagles defender Brad Sheppard has announced his retirement from the AFL. Picture: Michael Klein

“He’s had a wonderful career that’s been cut short, unfortunately,” Simpson said.

“He’s dealt with a lot of adversity over his career and always handled himself really well, and today’s no different – it was first class – but he’s going to be missed.

“It’s been a pleasure to be a part of it, really, and what he’s gone through. (He was an) All-Australian. His career speaks for itself – over 200 games.

“It’s just really sad that it finishes this way.”

Sheppard’s crowning glory was being named an All-Australian last year, but a hamstring setback in the 2018 finals stopped him from playing in the Eagles’ famed grand final victory over Collingwood.

Simpson said Sheppard would be remembered as one of West Coast’s best and most versatile players, capable of locking down small and tall forwards.

“The sad part about it (is) he didn’t get to fulfil his full career – but he did achieve a lot,” he said.

“The way we look at him; he is a premiership player. He was so much a part of that ‘18 season, along with a few other players.

“Obviously, Nic (Naitanui), ‘Gaffy’ (Andrew Gaff) and even Eric Mackenzie, but ‘Shepp’, in particular, all the way to that first final before he was struck down.”

Concussion has become the AFL’s greatest concern and Sheppard becoming the latest player to announce a premature retirement should only heighten the focus on an issue that continues to plague the game.

“It’s a brutal game. It always has been,” Simpson said.

“I think the AFL are doing a pretty good job to try and learn as much as they can.

“It still feels like that we’ve got a bit more to learn about the whole situation but I think that they’re putting the right things in place.

“The game’s never been as brutal as it is now. That’s what we sign up for and it comes with risk.”

Originally published as West Coast defender Brad Sheppard announces AFL retirement because of ongoing concussion symptoms