TWO BOUTS of concussion that prematurely ended the best season of Matt Buntine's career helped put life into perspective for the courageous GWS defender. 

After managing just 16 games in three seasons, Buntine had to wait until round six for his first senior game of this year, but played the next 10 in the Giants' backline, while co-captain Phil Davis (ankle), Joel Patfull (lung/ribs) and Nick Haynes (groin) all missed games at different stages with injury.

The 22-year-old's season was then ruined when he was knocked out against Gold Coast in round 16 after a sickening head clash with Suns' big man Sam Day.

After a week off, Buntine returned to face Fremantle in round 18 but another knock to the head – this time with less impact than the one he suffered a fortnight earlier – forced him to the sidelines again, and he played just one NEAFL game for the rest of the season.

Buntine said that while he wasn't worried about the long-term effects of the two incidents, he did re-adjust his priorities. 

"The second one was a bit of a shake up because it wasn't a sharp impact or a really big shot to the head, so I think that set an alarm off that you've really got to take care of the head," Buntine told AFL.com.au. 

"It really put football into a bit more perspective; it's not the be-all and end-all for me. 

"I'm going to live with my brain a lot longer than I'm going to have a footy career, so I'm really comfortable now, especially the way we managed it; the club were great.

"I've had no residual effects since the end of last season so I'm really grateful and 100 per cent ready to go."

Concussion has come under significantly more scrutiny over the past five years in the AFL – and world sport – with players such as North Melbourne's Leigh Adams forced to retire because of brain-related trauma.

GWS medical staff put Buntine through various cognitive ability tests to measure his brain function in the off-season and the defender was given the all-clear to resume training with his teammates last week. 

Known for putting himself into situations many players wouldn't, Buntine conceded  he can't change the way he plays the game, and had no intention of altering his selfless attitude on the field.

"I think the two incidents were just a bit unfortunate, the second one was just a bit clumsy, and it's certainly no recurring theme in the approach that I have that keeps leading to me getting concussion," Buntine said.

"If I get another knock soon it's probably more concerning than for someone who has never been concussed, but I wouldn't be playing if they (doctors) didn't trust in me being able to take a hit."

The positive to come from the head knocks suffered by Buntine is that his face wasn't affected, which should help his bid to win this year's Cleo Bachelor of the Year award, to be announced on Wednesday night.

Footy clubs can be a ruthless environment at times when it comes to extra-curricular activities such as these, and Buntine says he's pretty happy his modelling aspirations have slipped under the radar of his teammates ... so far.

"I was pretty fortunate that I did the shoot during the season and it got released the week after we left for the off-season, so I haven't seen the boys too much," Buntine said.

"I haven't copped too much flak but I'm sure once our fines system is up and running I'll feature pretty prominently.

"Hopefully I win it so I can get some money up my sleeve to pay off those fines."

Matthew Buntine is in the running for the Cleo Bachelor of the Year. Picture: AFL Media