Crows veteran Paul Seedsman admits he’s no certainty to resume his playing career, with an ongoing concussion battle still holding the wingman back from regular commitments.
Seedsman was recently ruled out for the 2022 season after suffering a concussion during pre-season training last year.
The 30-year-old says he’s doing what he can to one day return to the field but admits there’s a “real possibility” he won’t play again.
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“Constant headaches, migraines, nausea – you struggle to concentrate,” Seedsman said of the early symptoms.
“There was a time there where I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, for sure.
“I probably did think that I had played my last game … it was just so frustrating and flattening each day, it was a battle.
“You hate the thought of it (not playing again) and I try not to spend too much time thinking about it. I understand that is a very real possibility.
“But everything I am doing in between is getting back to play.”
Seedsman’s battle with concussion was on display in front of reporters as he spoke at a press conference on Friday. He was left rubbing his eyes and in need of a camera light to be turned off while speaking.
“I am not out of jail in that sense by any stretch,” he added.
“I still have limitations on everything that I do, even from just a mental capacity, day-to-day tasks.”
The 132-gamer, who last year was named on the 40-man All-Australian squad, finished the season third in Adelaide’s club champion award.
Seedsman said family decisions will come first before he attempts any comeback.
“Eventually I want to start a family and have kids and I don’t want to be sitting in bed and being miserable all day, every day,” he said.
“That is definitely the number one priority, life after football.
“I want to play footy … (but) I am not going to be stupid with it.”