MORE AFL players than ever are contemplating leaving the game after copping too many knocks to the head, incoming AFLPA player relations general manager Brett Murphy says.
Murphy, a lawyer who is the older brother of Carlton skipper Marc, replaces Ian Prendergast and will take up the role after spending time as the organisation's general counsel.
Like his predecessor, ensuring protection of the head is written into the game's laws is a key issue for Murphy's tenure.
"There are probably more players now retiring or considering retiring due to concussion injuries or multiple concussion injuries than there ever have been," Murphy told RSN radio on Tuesday.
"In the last year in particular I think there were a few, which was probably more than the year before."
Despite not being a "significant" number, any player considering giving up their football career because of head injury was too many, Murphy said.
"We do need to probably look at a lot of steps we can put in place to protect them going on in their careers and lives after football," he said.
Former players Sam Blease and Matt Maguire have launched compensation claims with the League over career-ending concussions.
Last week, Brisbane Lions youngster Justin Clarke stepped away from the game indefinitely after struggling to recover from a bad head knock at training.
Murphy, while not being drawn on their cases, said any player who suffered an injury, including concussion, which forces their retirement may be entitled to compensation under the players' collective bargaining agreement.
