High-flying Demon in concussion legal fight

BRAIN lesions and depression have cruelled the post-career life of Mark of the Century high-flyer Shaun Smith.

The former Melbourne and North Melbourne aerialist says he fears his deepening battle with mental health and memory loss is linked to head knocks received playing footy.

“I’ve been battling depression for the last five or six years,” Smith revealed yesterday. “I tend to lose track of time and forget things. There are things that I can remember, like numbers, but whether it’s events or important things that I have to do I forget or I walk into a room and wonder: ‘What am I doing? What am I in the room for?’

“There’s changes — I just know something’s not right.

“My brain doesn’t function properly. It’s horrible and that’s not me — I’ve always been a fairly active sort of person — but sometimes you just lie in bed all day because you can’t be stuffed.”

Smith, 48, yesterday emerged as second plaintiff in a proposed Federal Court concussion damages action against the AFL and footy clubs.

He joins Essendon premiership ruckman and former Geelong cult hero John Barnes, who detailed his battle with epilepsy, memory loss and anger bursts in yesterday’s Geelong Advertiser.

Up to 10 other past players who fear their neurological impairments are the result of concussions are expected to join the damages action led by Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin and veteran player agent Peter Jess. Griffin says the actions will model those successfully mounted by NFL players in the US.

Smith is no longer involved at the top level but his son Joel, 21, made his debut for Melbourne this season.

Smith estimates he copped more than 20 serious head knocks throughout his 109game AFL career.