Myrtleford recruit Jake Richards won't play again this year due to concussion issues.
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The 20-year-old has collapsed twice since he was knocked out against North Albury on April 6.
"I just went to pick up the ball and clashed heads," he said.
"I've been a bit hazy from then on and I'm still getting headaches.
"I went to a neuropsychologist and it was their opinion to give footy away, they're saying for a little while, so probably this year.
"I'm still in conversation with them if there might be a possibility of returning this year, but it's more precautionary to stay out."
Originally from Western Australia, Richards is a trainee medic.
"It's been really difficult, it's been a massive struggle with work," he said. "I'm studying at the moment and it's hard when I've got constant headaches and I'm trying to learn all the subjects to do my job."
And if the worrying injury isn't enough, Richards had to face some terrible news on Sunday night. "It's been pretty tough lately because I found out that my mate died," he said.
Another player whose season has been derailed by concussion spoke of his issues after Lavington's win over Myrtleford last Saturday.
"I'm starting to string games together," Adam Flagg said. "I missed three or four weeks and it was a bit of a tough one, I got headaches and I wasn't expecting it."
