Port Lincoln footballer Liam Dennis has shared his long and difficult recovery from concussion, underscoring growing awareness of the serious and sometimes lasting effects of sports-related head injuries. Dennis, 27, was forced to stop playing Australian rules football after suffering a significant concussion in 2023. Having experienced seven or eight concussions over his playing career, he said the latest injury caused months of constant headaches, severe fatigue and balance issues that made everyday activities difficult. It took 18 months before he was able to run again without triggering headaches, and he said symptoms such as vestibular problems and sensitivity to noise continue to affect his quality of life. Hunter Bennett from Adelaide University said while the short-term effects of concussion are well recognised, researchers are still working to better understand the long-term consequences of repeated head trauma. Dennis hopes his experience encourages athletes to listen to their bodies and take concussion symptoms seriously, as medical understanding and treatment approaches continue to evolve.