CENTRAL District holds grave fears for the footballing future of star midfielder and former Crows and Power player Brad Symes after a sickening incident left him severely concussed on Saturday.

The Magarey Medallist was heavily felled in the opening quarter at Woodville Oval when Eagles player Adam Grocke collected him with what appeared to be a stray elbow as Symes attempted a mark.

It was the second sickening concussion Symes has suffered within a year and continued a history of head injuries which have left him weighing up his future.

He missed last year’s elimination final after a massive head clash with Sturt’s Ben Kane in the minor round.

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Symes spent Saturday in hospital where he was cleared of facial fractures.

Central District chief executive Kris Grant said Symes was nursing an “very, very sore jaw” and would discuss his future with club medical staff and family in the next week.

Grant was unsure how many concussions Symes had suffered but knew it was more than four.

The courageous 29-year-old became a father late last year and also recently opened a clothing shop.

He must weigh up whether it is worth potentially further risking his future health by returning to football.

“He has had a history of concussion and we are not quite sure what will happen but we are aware that this could be the end (of his career),’’ Grant said.

“We have to sit down with Brad — it would be wrong to do that today or tomorrow.

“We need to sit down with the club medical staff.

“Brad will need to come to the right decision in terms of his health. That has to be done.”

The long-term affect concussions and head injuries have on the brain of players has become an increasing issue in football over the past year.

Former AFL stars Greg Williams and Dean Kemp have both revealed they are suffering long-term brain injuries post-football and suffered from memory loss among other symptoms.

Former West Coast and South Adelaide player Tim Houlihan prematurely retired from the SANFL last year because scans showed he had sustained a brain injury playing football.

Last week gutsy former Brisbane Lions premiership player, now Power coaching director, Shaun Hart told The Advertiser he and his wife were concerned about his future health after he suffered several bad blows to the head during his career.

Dogs coach Roy Laird spoke to Symes yesterday.

Laird said doctors advice would probably guide Symes in his decision.

“He’s had other head injuries over his career,’’ Laird said.

“It’s purely about his welfare. Knowing Brad, I’d imagine if he was reassured (by doctors) about his health he would look at playing footy but if there were any long term health issues that get thrown up then it would be unlikely he’d play again. It’s very up in the air.”

Grocke was reported for rough conduct over the incident and will front the tribunal this week.

Grant said the club was angered by the incident.

“It would be a disgusting way for somebody of Brad Symes’ ilk to end his career if that is the case,’’ Grant said.