The veteran onballer has also had his fair share of concussions.

"It all started when I was playing at the Horsham Demons," Pekin said.

"Me and Phil Butch ended up butting heads in a semi-final in Ararat.

"From that day on, and every concussion I've got since then, I don't think I'm getting any effects besides the occasional headache, but it's just one of those things.

"I'm probably at the end of my career now, so if I get one big one, I'll probably call it."

Pekin begun wearing a helmet in 2019 as ???

Over the years, more and more research has shown the enduring impact concussion has on players long after their career is over.

Only recently have attitudes begun to change at a country level, Pekin said.

"There's more awareness about it now, which is good. But back in the day, if you weren't playing tough footy you were known as a soft cock," he said.

"I think there's a bit more awareness and alertness now about concussion... you still go in hard, you just need to be wary of a player's head."

Pekin said Harrow-Balmoral's procedure was a mandatory two-week break for any player who suffered a concussion.

"Even if they're feeling right - you've only got one brain, so you want to treat it appropriately," Pekin said.

"If you get concussed at our club you don't train for that whole week, after a week you can do some light running but it's always been two weeks off.

"As a coach you've always got to look at player welfare and if they don't like it, too bad.

"There's not ever a good concussion, and you've got to treat them all individually too."

Harrow-Balmoral's stance was informed by the careers of two AFL exports, Michael Close and Tim Houlihan.

The Mail-Times has previously reported that Houlihan's professional career was cut short by repeated concussions, retiring in 2013 at the age of 24 after advice from specialists.

Close meanwhile did not play football for 12 months after suffering bleeding from the brain while playing with North Melbourne in the VFL.

Pekin said the AFL was one of the main drivers behind research into the effects of concussion on players.

"It starts at the top... the AFL's doing a lot of research and the like into the issue with people donating brains," he said.

"I'd happily donate mine if anyone ever needed my brain."

In June 2021, the AFL adopted new guidelines outlining how concussions should be managed, from community leagues to the AFL.

The guidelines include medical requirements to play, steps towards returning to play and how to manage head injuries.

The AFL also highlighted the HeadCheck Concussion app, which has been developed to help trainers, coaches or parents recognise the symptoms of a suspected concussion and its severity.

However, Pekin said he believes the AFL should be investing more into educating players, coaches and staff about the dangers of concussion.

"There should be more courses offered by the leagues for people to go to and ???

"As a coach I'd loved to go to more meetings and learn more about it.

"I think there's a whole lot people could be doing to be more aware and treat concussion a lot more seriously."

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