MELBOURNE midfielder Bernie Vince says he has hidden the effects of copping a hit to the head from club doctors to stay on the ground.

Speaking on Fox Footy, Vince admitted he had misled club doctors so he would not have to go through a concussion test.

"I have. I shouldn't say that probably, on air, but I already have, so there you go," Vince said.

"Generally if I get a head knock, I say I'm a bit winded. That generally keeps me on."

The 30-year-old said the culture in the AFL industry regarding concussion had changed significantly from the past.

"It was almost who's the toughest, to be able to get a big knock and be able to come back on," he said.

"There's been a complete change, and I think it's for the better."

In 2013, the AFL introduced mandatory tests for players suspected of having suffered a head knock. 

Clubs are taking a more cautious approach to concussion incidents, particularly those suffered in relatively quick succession. 

Several players have missed a number of weeks as they recover from head knocks, including Melbourne pair Angus Brayshaw and Heritier Lumumba, Sydney Swan Ted Richards and Collingwood's Ben Sinclair. 

Brisbane Lions defender Justin Clarke was forced to retire in March this year after failing to recover from a head knock received at training in mid-January.