West Coast defender Harry Edwards’ football future will be determined when he meets with the AFL’s concussion panel later this month.

The 25-year-old remains on the sidelines after suffering a third concussion this season and while there have been positive signs in recent weeks with Edwards out on the training track in non-contact drills, it is now out of his hands.

West Coast have lost four players in recent seasons due to concussion.

Daniel Venables and Brad Sheppard’s AFL careers ended prematurely in 2021, while Jeremy McGovern was medically retired last season.

Luke Edwards announced he was stepping away from the game at the end of 2024 after consulting an external concussion expert due to repeat head knocks.

A string of players at other clubs, headlined by Melbourne premiership gun Angus Brayshaw, Collingwood’s Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael as well as Western Bulldogs draftee Aiden O’Driscoll were all medically retired in 2024.

Not every player who fronts the AFL’s concussion panel is medically retired.

Essendon’s Nik Cox met with the AFL concussion panel on the same day mid-season as McGovern with the Bomber put on management plans and he has since resumed his AFL career.

An Eagles’ spokesperson said on Wednesday they could not comment due to confidentiality when players were placed in concussion protocols.

A player is referred to the panel by their club doctors and the AFL’s chief medical officer when they struggles to progress through the mandatory concussion protocols due to ongoing symptoms, or if they have a lengthy and complex history of head knocks.

The panel is an independent group of neurologists, neuropsychologists and sports medicine experts who provide scientific oversight, review complex or repeated concussion cases and assesses players seeking medical retirement.

It evaluates a player’s overall neurological and physical health with reviews of their lifetime concussion history, brain imaging and cognitive function tests and direct questioning about the severity and lingering effects of their symptoms.

The panel then provides a confidential medical report with recommendations to retire immediately or continue under strict extended return-to-play timeframes with tailored treatment plans.

In their most recent injury update, West Coast high-performance manager Phil Merriman said Edwards was continuing to work through protocols.

“He is in great spirits and is looking forward to progressing,” he said.

Edwards, who has played 57 games for the club over seven seasons, suffered the first of three knocks this year in an AAMI Community Series clash against Port Adelaide in March.

He took a second hit against North Melbourne in round two, had six weeks on the sidelines, before being forced from the ground in the first quarter on his return in round nine, the result of friendly fire.

The Eagles last month said they would take caution with Edwards’ next move.

“We will be following a process to make sure we get the best care that Harry needs before considering what the next step in his football is going to be,” Merriman said.

Edwards was seen as a key pillar in the Eagles’ defence following McGovern’s retirement and the departure of Tom Barrass to Hawthorn.

Reuben Ginbey has been forced to play “tall” in his absence, while Rhett Bazzo, Tylar Young and Sandy Brock have all filled key position roles in the bacline.