AFL news: Nicky Winmar reportedly suffering from brain damage relating to concussions sustained through career

It's been a problem in the NFL for some time and it's becoming clear that Australia's football codes aren't immune from it either.

AFL great Nicky Winmar is reportedly suffering the effects of concussion related injuries suffered through his career according to the St Kilda legend's manager.

Winmar's manager, Peter Jess, told 5AA Radio the former AFL player underwent testing after displaying symptoms of brain damage.

"I've been dealing with Nicky over a long period of time and over the last couple of years he's been concerned about what we recognise as some of the symptoms of structural and functional damage to the brain.

"Such as he has spells where he loses his balance, he has spells where he can't recall things. He has problems in terms of mood swings, he has problems with anger management.

"They're all the sort of things that point to that there (is) some structural and functional damage to his brain. 

"So we've been getting those tested and the first test came back that he does have some problems."

Nicky Winmar is reportedly suffering from brain damage related to concussions suffered during his AFL career. (Getty)

A class action relating to the handling of concussions and head knocks against the AFL and possibly the league's club doctors is being led by Jess.

"Basically what happens is that when we determine who the defendants are, it will be a matter of fact - and that's up to our legal people," Jess said.

"But I don't think there’s any question that it will be the AFL or the VFL as it was.

"It's probably likely to be the clubs, it's likely to be club doctors - and it could well, depending on what the set of circumstances are, it may well go beyond that."

Jess says issues relating to concussion wouldn’t be prevalent if it wasn't for the likes of Winmar and Greg Williams speaking out.

"From my point of view, it takes brave people to stand up and say 'look, I'm damaged,'" he said.

"Greg Williams was the first, he stood up and said 'look, I've got issues.'

"From then, there’s been a continual stream of guys and now we've got Nicky, who's - not only is he standing up for the problems he's suffering but … he is more than happy to champion all of the past players, which is great."