Brandon Starcevich 'good to go' after trade to West Coast despite concussion concerns
Brandon Starcevich (left) left the Lions after consecutive Premierships (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)
In short:
Brandon Starcevich says he is "good to go" at West Coast despite a number of concussion concerns throughout his career.
Starcevich's latest head knock came in the grand final, in which he said Brisbane took a "cautious approach".
A move back home to WA appealed to Starcevich, as did a "new challenge" at wooden spooners West Coast.
West Coast recruit Brandon Starcevich says he has no worries about his concussion history after completing his trade from the Brisbane Lions to the Eagles.
Starcevich, who missed almost two months of football this year due to concussion, sat out the end of the grand final after a heavy collision with Geelong's Ollie Dempsey, sparking concern about his future in the game.
Starcevich has suffered several consussions during his career (AAP Image/Jono Searle)
But the dual-premiership defender says he didn't suffer a concussion in that incident.
"A cautious approach with it all [sitting out the end of the grand final]," Starcevich told ABC Perth's Summer Sportstalk.
"No need to take a risk, especially with me I think was most of it."
The 26-year-old, who moved from to the Eagles in a three-way trade, has consulted several experts to ensure he can keep playing in the AFL.
"With all the feedback I've gotten around my situation, I'm fairly positive that I'm fine and good to go," he said.
"All the professionals I spoke to when I had that bit of time off at the start of the year sort of ticked me off and said I was fine.
"I've had no lingering issues or anything, so I'm pretty positive about the whole thing."
From premiers to wooden spooners
Starcevich's decision to return to Perth was sparked by conversations had at the end of the 2024 season, as he entered the last year of his Brisbane contract.
Starcevich played 132 games for the Lions since debuting in 2018. (AAP Image/Darren England)
"I thought I'd like to explore it a little bit and the idea of potentially coming back to Perth and playing, being back among your friends and family, was very appealing," he said.
"The appeal of the young talent that is at the Eagles and starting that climb back up the ladder is definitely a new challenge, sort of a fresh adventure."
The East Perth product conceded he'd miss Brisbane after giving up the chance to go for a third-straight premiership with the club, but was always heading home.
"I made my mind up and there was never anything that was going to change it," he said of his decision to move.
"It's better to go out winning it. I think losing it would probably feel a little bit more empty, but it's nice I got to go out on a high."
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