Brisbane’s Brandon Starcevich faces fresh uncertainty over his career after another brutal head knock in Saturday’s AFL Grand Final against Geelong.
The 26-year-old collided with Ollie Dempsey’s shoulder during a third-quarter contest, leaving him dazed before medics rushed to his aid and guided him down to the rooms. He took no further part in the game.
The incident was particularly confronting given Starcevich’s history of concussion issues, having already missed two months earlier this season through head trauma. With Brisbane having activated their substitute at half-time, the Lions were left a player short for the remainder of the match.
Career crossroads amid West Coast links
Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon did not hide his concern: “This is a story. He’s had many concussions. That’s the thing. If there is a concussion now with Starcevich, they’ve already made their sub … That doesn’t look good.”
The timing could hardly be more complicated for Starcevich, who is out of contract and weighing up his future. The West Australian has been heavily linked with a six-year deal from West Coast, while Brisbane have reportedly offered a two-year extension.
As Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph put it on Fox Footy: “I think Brandon Starcevich is more likely to accept a six-year deal at West Coast … He will have to work through that in the next week or so.”
For now, though, his immediate health and whether he can safely continue in the game loom as the most pressing question.