The sister of a WAFL and professional football player has told Liam Bartlett that it was ‘devastating’ and ‘scary’ to see what her brother went through and how important it is for people to be aware of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) after a concussion.

It comes as retired West Coast defender Brad Sheppard has said that concussed AFL players would benefit more from 30 days than the current minimum 12-day stand-down rule.

Andrew Macpherson played footy for two decades, throughout school and in the West Australian Football League for East Fremantle.

For the last few years of his life, he battled severe addiction and other mental health ailments. 

Despite running a successful business and starting a young family, he tragically took his own life in February 2021 at the age of 33.

Andrew’s sister Laura Clarke told Liam Bartlett on Mornings that many players want to continue playing without realising the severity of the concussion.

“A lot of these boys football defines to some degree who they are, and they enjoy the game, they enjoy the speed it’s in their blood,” she said.

“To miss out on a game next week to them seems less important than obviously where their heads at and having been hit.”

Tap PLAY below to hear the full interview with Laura Clarke and her comments on bringing awareness to CTE.

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