'Of course': Giants skipper's shock concussion admission

GWS Giants captain Toby Greene admitted he has hidden concussion symptoms during his time playing professional football.

The confession comes after Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy was forced to medically retire from the game due to excessive head trauma suffered on field.

Murphy is just 24.

Greene’s admission also follows his own teammate Sam Taylor’s terrifying head clash with St Kilda’s Jack Steele, which saw him knocked unconscious in round five.

Taylor was cleared that same day of serious injuries, but the club is yet to release a timeline for his return.

Toby Greene says he has hidden concussion symptoms before.

Greene was quizzed on Tuesday night about whether he has ever hidden concussion symptoms from GWS medical staff, after copping heavy knocks.

The 2023 All-Australian captain was open in his response to Fox Footy’s Mark Robinson.

“Yeah, yeah of course,” Greene said.

Greene then clarified that he has only failed to report symptoms in a handful of scenarios.

Sam Taylor is recovering in hospital.

“Less than five (times), less than five,” he said.

“Certainly, in my early years (I had) a lot more disregard for (concussion) than I do now, but I wouldn’t say it’s common practice, no.”

However, Greene admitted he is “more aware” of the serious impact concussion can have on players, including later in life, post football, being diagnosed with CTE.

“I’m certainly more aware of the effects (and) not reporting or misreporting, we’re certainly more aware of that (as players),” Greene said.

Nathan Murphy fronts the media after announcing his retirement from the AFL.

On the eve of the 2024 season, Melbourne premiership midfielder Angus Brayshaw was forced to medically retire due to his ongoing head trauma.

Brayshaw’s retirement saw the AFL create more stringent rules around protection of players’ heads.

The league also introduced stricter concussion protocols for local league players, increasing the sideline time from 12 days to 21 for all players up to VFL and VFLW level.