Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Former AFL midfielder Koby Stevens opens up like never before on The Howie Games.
In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Koby Stevens sits down with Howie to share his full story, from growing up in country Victoria and living his AFL dream with West Coast, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, to suffering 15+ concussions, a forced medical retirement, and a battle that nearly broke him.
Koby also details the five-year filmmaking journey behind his upcoming documentary, a globally focused film exploring concussion, brain health, neuroplasticity and recovery. Featuring world-leading experts, elite athletes and groundbreaking treatments, this film could change the way we understand brain injury forever.
This is not an anti-football conversation.This is a story about love of the game, responsibility, recovery, and hope.
Content Warning: This episode discusses concussion, mental health struggles and suicidal ideation. Viewer discretion advised.
00:00 Why This Episode Matters
02:00 Loving Footy While Talking About Concussion
05:25 Early Injuries & First Head Knocks
10:00 Junior Footy Culture & “Put Your Head Over It”
15:10 AFL Debut: Knocked Out in 5 Minutes
17:00 15+ Concussions & Chronic Headaches
22:05 Painkillers, Broken Body & Pushing Through
24:50 Move to St Kilda & Nearly Dying from Salmonella
26:10 The Hit That Changed Everything
31:40 Post-Concussion Hell: Anxiety, Insomnia & Passing Out
34:30 Media Exposure & Forced Retirement
39:45 Losing Identity After Footy
42:50 Rock Bottom & Isolation
44:10 Finding Answers Outside Traditional Medicine
49:30 The Birth of the Thrive Documentary
57:30 Treatments That Helped
01:04:00 What Daily Recovery Looks Like Now
01:09:00 Advice for Athletes & Parents
01:13:50 Would He Still Play AFL?
01:18:15 The Fight to Finish the Film
01:25:20 – Final Message to Anyone Struggling
Former AFL midfielder Koby Stevens opens up like never before on The Howie Games.
In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Koby Stevens sits down with Howie to share his full story, from growing up in country Victoria and living his AFL dream with West Coast, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, to suffering 15+ concussions, a forced medical retirement, and a battle that nearly broke him.
Koby also details the five-year filmmaking journey behind his upcoming documentary, a globally focused film exploring concussion, brain health, neuroplasticity and recovery. Featuring world-leading experts, elite athletes and groundbreaking treatments, this film could change the way we understand brain injury forever.
This is not an anti-football conversation.This is a story about love of the game, responsibility, recovery, and hope.
Content Warning: This episode discusses concussion, mental health struggles and suicidal ideation. Viewer discretion advised.
00:00 Why This Episode Matters
02:00 Loving Footy While Talking About Concussion
05:25 Early Injuries & First Head Knocks
10:00 Junior Footy Culture & “Put Your Head Over It”
15:10 AFL Debut: Knocked Out in 5 Minutes
17:00 15+ Concussions & Chronic Headaches
22:05 Painkillers, Broken Body & Pushing Through
24:50 Move to St Kilda & Nearly Dying from Salmonella
26:10 The Hit That Changed Everything
31:40 Post-Concussion Hell: Anxiety, Insomnia & Passing Out
34:30 Media Exposure & Forced Retirement
39:45 Losing Identity After Footy
42:50 Rock Bottom & Isolation
44:10 Finding Answers Outside Traditional Medicine
49:30 The Birth of the Thrive Documentary
57:30 Treatments That Helped
01:04:00 What Daily Recovery Looks Like Now
01:09:00 Advice for Athletes & Parents
01:13:50 Would He Still Play AFL?
01:18:15 The Fight to Finish the Film
01:25:20 – Final Message to Anyone Struggling
