Former AFL player Koby Stevens has opened up about the traumatic experiences he endured throughout his career, primarily due to over a dozen concussions. Drafted in 2009 with pick 23, Stevens played a total of 91 games across three clubs—West Coast, Western Bulldogs, and St Kilda—before retiring in 2018 due to persistent concussion-related symptoms, making him one of the first players to step away from the sport for such reasons.
In a recent episode of the Howie Games podcast, Stevens described his career as overshadowed by concussion struggles. His debut game in 2010 was marred by a severe knock that rendered him unconscious within minutes, yet he insisted on returning to the field, a practice that was tragically common at the time. He recounted, “I got kneeed in the head by Jarrod Harbrow… I came off saying to the doctor, ‘I haven’t touched the footy, I’m going back out there’.”
Despite suffering from chronic headaches and balance issues throughout his time in the league, Stevens admitted that he largely ignored the implications of his injuries. “My whole career I didn’t think about the ramifications,” he explained, revealing that it was only towards the end of his career that he recognised the seriousness of his condition.
Stevens experienced approximately 15 significant concussions alongside many minor ones, with the final blow occurring in 2018 during a match against Brisbane. This seemingly minor incident resulted in a significant downturn in his health, presenting debilitating symptoms like blurred vision, anxiety, and severe headaches, ultimately culminating in his decision to retire.
Reflecting on the inadequate understanding of concussion at the time, he noted that when he first consulted neurologists, they seemed unaware of the true extent of his injuries. After continued struggles, he was diagnosed with POTS syndrome, a condition affecting his heart rate, exacerbating his debilitating symptoms.
Despite his trials, Stevens has taken steps to shine a light on his post-playing journey, even collaborating with Australian actor Eric Bana on a documentary focused on his recovery efforts. Unfortunately, the materials for the project, valued at over $1 million, were stolen in 2025.
Stevens’ experience serves as a poignant reminder of the long-lasting impact of sports-related head injuries and the crucial need for improving player safety and understanding of concussions in professional sports.