East Warrnambool coach Danny Chatfield officially retires after head knock

Chatfield, 35, confirmed his decision to hang up the boots on Thursday after meeting neurosurgeons in Melbourne earlier this week.

He suffered skull fractures and bleeding on the brain after an on-field incident in the Warrnambool and District league on May 4.

Chatfield said he took on the advice from medical specialists when considering his playing future.

"She (the neurosurgeon) said there was a possibility of getting back out on the oval in 12 to 18 months with the helmet," he said.

"But at my age, I sat down with (wife) Amy and the kids and we had a chat. I said 'I don't really want to be doing pre-season for 18 months or two years'.

"I have been lucky enough to play as long as I have and I just accept it now and focus on the kids and whether it's the coaching path or whatever it maybe be, we focus on that when the time comes.

"At the moment I will see out my contract at East Warrnambool."

Chatfield said his scans revealed positive news.

"I had scans on Monday and the fracture has healed which is good, no more going back to Melbourne," he said.

"I've still got to take it easy. There are still soft spots where the fractures were but we are all different and she's surprised I am doing what I am doing at the moment.

"I am back to work and the headaches have stopped and all that stopped early."

Chatfield, who was flown to Royal Melbourne Hospital after the sickening collision against Old Collegians, said he wanted to make the most of his second chance.

He wants to spend time with his family, including children Jyah, Kobi and Vann.

The football-loving Chatfield married into a Geelong-mad family but grew up following the best players rather than a specific team.

His family are Cats members and want to attend more home games at GMHBA Stadium, starting against Adelaide on Friday night.

"I always had favourite players, I never backed a club, I was just one of those kids growing up who would watch footy from Friday to Sunday," Chatfield said.

"I am happy to watch anyone play, I just like watching the good players."

East Warrnambool has two weeks off - it has its scheduled bye this weekend followed by a league-wide bye.

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