Saving Lotte Sullivan | Collingwood/Carlton

116: Concussion Panel

'Sam. You need to remember the five words, in order, and repeat them back to us'

The main Geelong doctor gave his team, and the expert consultants, a doubtful look as he turned back to De Koning, who'd been through a tough load of questions and tests that morning. He had a horrid headache, and the bright lights were killing him. When the doctor had shined the torch directly in his eyes, well, that may as well have murdered the poor guy.

'Okay. Sorry. I'll try to concentrate this time' Sam said, sitting upright and trying to stop fidgeting with his sleeve.

'Heater, apple, ocean, plane, and ruler'

Sam glanced up at the roof, desperately trying to remember the first few.

'Ocean...ruler...did you say beach?' He asked, genuinely shrugging, having no idea.

'Well that's the third attempt and you've failed that too. You've only survived three of eighteen tests, Sam. It's really not looking good' the Geelong medico said, sighing. 'The doctors over there - they know a lot more about this than I do, and even I know this is grounds for medical retirement' he advised.

Sam shook his head, anxiously pulling his beanie down. 'I'm not retiring' he said stubbornly.

'You barely passed your balance tests. You collapsed to the ground. Sam, it just isn't safe for you to continue-'

'I'm fine' Sam said, looking the doctor in the eye, through gritted teeth. The doctor grabbed his sunglasses.

'Try and walk outside right now without these' he said. Sam looked up at him, biting his tongue. He knew he was defeated. Those sunglasses were his life. He sometimes slept in them.

'Now, I spoke to your brother on the phone last night - he told us you've been very tired - almost asleep all week, withdrawing, barely eating, and trying to keep in a dark room. He also said you're never not complaining of headaches, and that you're very drowsy and out of it more than half the time. I saw you also completed your online test in the car this morning - however, I don't feel you answered the questions truthfully' the doctor explained.

Sam, zoned out, realised the doctor had said something. He shook his head, trying to come back to earth.

'Can I go out and see the boys now?' He asked, completely ignoring the fact that the doctor was becoming even more worried about him. The doctor looked at him, slightly irritated.

'Sam. What are your main symptoms? And be honest this time' he said, calling one of the experts over. Sam tried not to roll his eyes. It was so hard not to.

Wanna see Ginnivan. Wanna see Ollie. My teammates are out there, and I'm locked in this room being tortured. My head hurts. My thoughts are racing. I'm exhausted. Can I sleep in the car, on the way home? Does this guy ever stop talking?

'The headaches. Definitely. They never go away, not even with pain killers. My vision is still a bit blurry. Obviously I can't see much out of my black eye anyway. Um...yeah, I'm definitely very tired. I could go home right now and sleep for days. I feel like my head is stuck in fog or something - like I'm in a constant daze, not in reality. Sometimes people talk to me and they have to repeat themselves numerous times because I don't know what they're saying' Sam explained, looking sad.

'How are your depression symptoms? Are you still experiencing anything like that?' The doctor asked. Sam shrugged.

'I don't think so. I'm pretty annoyed I couldn't make the premiership, and I'm tired and stuff. But I wouldn't say I'm depressed' he said. Lie.

'I'm going to speak to the panel now regarding your scans and reports, and my own observations and test results. You're welcome to go out and watch the boys train, but by no means are you to join in. Keep your head away from any stray footballs' the doctor ordered, giving Sam a stern look. He rolled his eyes, picked up his phone and sunglasses and left the room.