WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has conceded premiership hero Liam Picken may not play again in 2018 as he battles concussion.

Picken, 31, was ruled out of football indefinitely after a heavy collision with teammate Josh Dunkley in the Bulldogs' JLT Community Series against Hawthorn in March.

"Liam at the moment is quite openly saying that he knows he's nowhere near ready to play again. There's every chance that 'Picko' doesn't play again this year," Beveridge told SEN on Thursday.  

"He's still getting dizzy spells, he's got headaches, he can't train with the footys, he can't even cope with the music within the four walls of the football club. That's how extreme it is at the moment.  

"In a sense, that's easy because it's pretty clear but whether or not he's going to be able to play maybe next year, well that's going to be a big challenge for everyone." 

Picken has spent time at the club during his rehabilitation, running with the club's medical staff and avoiding any contact and ball work.

"It is a challenging one in that there's no clear end point for him," Beveridge said.  

"We've sought some external consultants in the medical field who know a bit more about brain injury and can give us some support around concussion to provide our doctors and medical staff with some advice.  

"(It's) so we can make some informed decisions when it comes to the point where maybe Liam's keen to play again." 

Picken's pre-season knock was his second concussion in the space of 12 months after failing to return to the field in the round three loss to Fremantle last season.  

He managed to play the following week and the rest of the season – playing all 22 matches as the Dogs missed the finals.  

Picken remains contracted until the end of 2019.