Ex-Essendon player John Barnes leads concussion action against AFL

Former Essendon player John Barnes is at the helm of a potential concussion against the AFL and its clubs, which echoes a similar suit in the NFL that ended in a billion-dollar settlement.

The 48-year-old believes his epilepsy and memory loss may be linked to knock he incurred while playing, News Corp reports. 

Barnes, part of the Bombers' 2000 premiership-winning side, is among about a dozen AFL players believed to be exploring similar legal action.

"It's turned my life upside down ... I'm not the same bloke I used to be," he told the Herald Sun.

"I know things are changing in my mind and I want answers."

He told the newspaper he had recently suffered his ninth epileptic seizure since being diagnosed five years ago.

Barnes, who also spent eight seasons with Geelong, has agreed to be lead plaintiff in the proposed suit, which involves veteran agent Peter Jess and prominent lawyer and Adelaide United A-League club president Greg Griffin.

"The causes of action will be predominantly the same as those run by NFL players in the US," Mr Griffin told the newspaper.