TWO-TIME premiership ruckman Darren Jolly has reportedly undergone surgery to remove a lesion from his brain.
The 33-year-old will now to wait to see if the results of a biopsy taken show if the lump is malignant.
Jolly, who is currently filming a second series of Channel Nine's renovation program The Block with his wife Deanne, sought medical treatment in Melbourne last week because of persistent headaches.
The father of two underwent a procedure called a ventriculostomy, which involves drilling through the skull to allow the removal of fluid.
"Darren will know more about his condition over the next week," a Nine spokesman said.
"Until then there will be no further comment and he and his family respectfully request privacy while they navigate their way through this serious and sensitive issue.
"His surgery went well and two incision points were created to drain the fluid, which has eased the pressure and headaches.
"A biopsy has been taken to determine what the lump is."
The former Melbourne, Sydney Swans and Collingwood big man finished his playing career in 2013 following a fall out with coach Nathan Buckley.
He was limited to nine games in his final season but believed it was a personality clash with Buckley that influenced his delisting.
He was then courted by Essendon and St Kilda before both clubs decided to recruit younger ruckmen, and Jolly ended up joining the Saints as a part-time specialist coach.
He left the role after one season and has been replaced with Western Jets assistant coach Adam Skrobalak.
Jolly played 237 AFL games, including the Swans' 2005 premiership and the Magpies' 2010 Grand Final triumph over the Saints.