PLAYERS being tested for concussion should be assessed by independent doctors rather than by club medical staff, Sydney premiership defender Ted Richards says.

If a player is suspected to have concussion, they are not allowed back on the field for 15 minutes while club doctors see if they are injured.

Richards was concussed against Hawthorn in round nine last year and would play only two more senior games for the rest of the season before he retired after the Swans' Grand Final loss. 

It was an injury he suffered on the football field more than six times in his career, including his junior days.

He told Fox Sports on Wednesday he had no issue with how he was treated by the Swans but that the process needed to be changed.

"I don't have any ongoing effects. I'm of the opinion, and I'm very happy with how the Swans looked after me, but I'd like to see an unbiased medical officer, a doctor, make the call," Richards said.

"I don't want any conflict of interest."

Melbourne's Heritier Lumumba and Brisbane Lions defender Justin Clarke retired last year after struggling with concussion.