It has been confirmed WA football legend Austin Robertson Jr was suffering from the degenerative brain condition CTE.
Robertson, as full forward for Subiaco, kicked more goals than any other West Australian, in an era when defenders were under strict instructions to make forwards "earn it". Dr Affleck said 'cortical sparing' CTE saw the clumps of proteins that build up to cause the condition form in different areas of the brain, compared to a more typical case.
"They said he must have had tremendous genes, because his genetics must have protected his brain from the disease, to infiltrate his cognitive abilities." "I just remember how passionate dad was about … making sure people were aware of the damage, so they didn't play on." In recent years West Coast Eagles players Daniel Venables and Brad Sheppard have both called time on their careers prematurely after head knocks.