In a dramatic twist, Brisbane Lions veteran Jonathan Brown has not ruled out retirement after copping yet another sickening head knock.
Lions coach Justin Leppitsch initially played down Brown's game changing concussion suffered in Saturday night's historic 45-point AFL loss to Greater Western Sydney, even wondering aloud if follow-up scans were required.
But Brown admitted he may have to weigh up his future this week after suffering his third heavy head knock in 12 months.
"You obviously have to weigh up these things. I'm getting to the end of my career," he told Channel Nine's The Sunday Footy Show.
"To be honest I'm not frightened by that (retirement) prospect.
"I've committed to a full season so I'd like to get through a full season, but sometimes these things happen, and I've just got to weigh it up.
"At the end of the day if that's it, there's nothing I can do about it, but I'm leaning towards playing."
In his 15th AFL season, 32-year-old Brown said he would make a measured decision after consulting medical staff this week.
"I'll consult the doctors this week, and obviously my wife and we'll see where things are at but I'm pretty keen to play a full season that's for sure," said Brown, who has kicked a team high 19 goals this year.
"We'll just let the dust settle. I dont think the first 24 hours is the time to make rash decisions."
Brown's short term future appears to be decided - he is unlikely to contest Brisbane's away clash with Fremantle on Saturday.
"Leppa's been keen to give me a rest from time to time," he said.
"We've got a long trip to Perth this week for Fremantle on Saturday and (wife) Kylie being due with the baby...I'd probably be unlikely for this week."
Brown initially appeared cleared of structural damage to his face despite leaving the field with a bloody nose and a "shiner" after he ran backwards into a contest and his head collected Giants defender Tomas Bugg's hip early in the third term.
"I don't think there's anything long-term," Leppitsch said of Brown who kicked two goals on Saturday night.
"Obviously everyone was a bit concerned because of that (Brown's head knock history).
"Hopefully it's nothing too big. I think there's enough metal in there to hold together."
Brisbane trailed by one point at halftime but the Giants ran amok after Brown left the field, sealing their first away victory, biggest winning margin and largest overall total in their short history.
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