After nine years, three clubs and more than 10 concussions, former West Coast player Koby Stevens is taking to the silver screen to try and push meaningful change around concussion.

Stevens has unveiled his sporting documentary Thrive, which will look at his and other sporting stars’ journey, and opened up about his battle with head knocks throughout his career.

“I remember in my first game I was knocked out in the first five minutes against the Western Bulldogs,” Stevens told the Herald Sun.

“And the only thing I remember from that game is saying to the doctor, ‘f... off, I am going back out there’. I was standing in the middle of Subiaco Oval and the whole stadium a was blur.”

It was an ominous sign for what was to come throughout his career with his final concussion coming in the opening round of 2018, forcing his retirement just months later.

“I had 10 or 12 recorded concussions. But then there were the minor ones where you would play with blurred vision for 20 minutes. I had probably (another) 15 or 20 of them. And that is just what you did.

“But I take responsibility for what I went through. I knew the risks of what I was doing and I did those things for a long time. I played through blurred vision. I just played through it.”

Stevens doesn’t regret his AFL career but wishes he had spoken up and sought treatment sooner as he battled long-term concussion effects.

“I spent a year and a half battling with my health,” he said.

“I would get out of bed in the morning and my heart rate would go from 40 beats a minute to 120. As soon as I stood up, I would pass out. Just collapse. And it went on like that for a long time. I couldn’t get on top of it.”

Stevens is the creator, writer and director of the film but has received support from some big names including St Kilda tragic Eric Bana, who will serve as the film’s narrator.

He is also not alone in sharing his story with Australian surfing legend Owen Wright, ice hockey legend Sidney Crosby, snowboarding megastar Kevin Pearce and the AFL’s Paddy McCartin also sharing their experiences.

He hopes to showcase his film at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival next year.

“I hope this does help players. But for me it’s more about giving people hope. Because a lot of people need it at the moment,” he said.