Here is a transcript of Scott Steven’s statement to the media at today’s press conference ...

“I’ve had a number of concussions over my career and this last concussion has been different to the others. It has been 10 weeks and I have still got a few of the symptoms that are consistent with post concussion syndrome. To play again I would have to regain full health and fitness and then be prepared that if I suffered another concussion the recovery time would be as long or longer on the sidelines. This is something I do not want to go through again.

Concussion is a brain injury, it’s pretty seriously, and it affects my whole quality of life and has ramifications away from football.

The club has been very supportive and patient through this whole process. The docs down there, Andrew Potter, Steve Kennett and Mark Cesana, have shown great care and made sure that I had all the information to make this decision.

I would like to thank the Sydney Swans for initially giving me the opportunity to play AFL and the Adelaide Football Club for showing patience and faith to allow me the career I have had.

Adelaide is a great club to be part of and I am proud to have played my footy here here. It is a club that expects you to be good and demands improvement. Adelaide is a club that has a culture which produces good footballers and also produces responsible, accountable men, well equipped for life after football.

To the supporters and fans, I thank you, I appreciate all the support. Please keep showing your passion for this team, that drives us to succeed.

I have enjoyed playing, or at time trying to play, at the highest level for nearly 12 years and been fortunate to play with some of the game’s greats. I have had a lot of fun along the way and was able to develop from a pretty average player into what my dad would describe as ‘handy’.

I thank my team-mates past and present for their support over the past few months and for some great times over the years, in particular James Gallagher, Nathan Bassett and Ben Rutten for their honesty and assistance in my career.

To all my coaches, thank you, but in particular to Craigy who believed in me even when I didn’t. In 2005 I didn’t play an AFL game, was out of contract and had two operations at the end of the year. I had little faith in my ability to play AFL footy and couldn’t see a way forward. Craigy could. His honesty, direction and along with hard work allowed me a career I am proud of.

To Doug Atkinson, I doubt you will even hear this, but thank you. My sisters Emma and Mia and Mum and Dad have supported me through everything I went through and put everything into perspective, I thank them.

My daughter Hayley will never know how important she has been to me in these last three months, I cannot help but be happy with her around. And to my wife Anna, thanks champ.”