Heritier Lumumba retires from AFL football after concussion struggles

Veteran player manager and concussion campaigner Peter Jess said the dispute between Lumumba and Melbourne highlighted the need for independent concussion managers to guide and assess players who had suffered a knock to the head, rather than have them rely on club doctors.

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, football manager Josh Mahoney said Lumumba had been given medical advice that he should stop playing football.

"Although he can no longer play AFL football, we are pleased that the latest tests have shown that Heritier has been cleared of having any ongoing concussion symptoms and that there are no signs of long-term damage," he said.

"We have said all along that the club has a very diligent concussion management process and as a result, we are confident in how we cared for and managed Heritier during 2016."

Lumumba claimed that club doctors stopped him from playing last year due to concussion, even though he felt he was well enough to take the field.

He is understood to have said that had stopped him playing enough games to trigger a clause in his contract for a fourth season and he had considered legal action over his treatment.

The Demons denied they had mishandled his situation.

Jess has been an outspoken critic of the AFL's approach to concussion management and said it should be up to independent facilitators, not club doctors, to assess players' concussions.

"That would be putting the welfare of players first," he said.

"It's a pure conflict of interest and it needs to be addressed."

A strange turn of events has lead to Lumumba's retirement.

Midway through last season, the club strongly refuted claims Lumumba looked unlikely to return to the side.

The day after a 3AW radio story claimed he may be put on the long-term injury list, the club released a video on its website in which coach Paul Roos said: "He's back in full training, he got the all clear last week to resume."

When he did return some weeks later, in the VFL, he told the club he was concussed in a collision with another player. There was no vision of the incident.

Melbourne can upgrade a rookie to replace Lumumba on their list.

In Melbourne's statement, Lumumba said he was retiring from football on the advice of several medical specialists.

"My love of this game has inspired me to work hard and give my best efforts to my team," he said.

"As I reflect on my career, I am grateful for the support I've received and how that support has enabled me to grow as an athlete and as a man."

"I look forward to expanding other areas of my career as I create new endeavours. I believe the Melbourne Football club has a bright future ahead, and I wish them the very best."

Beginning his career as Harry O'Brien, Lumumba played more than 200 games for Collingwood and Melbourne, was named an All-Australian in 2010 and was part of that year's Collingwood premiership team.