GOLD Coast teenager Wil Powell has spoken of the "eye-opening" after-effects of his recent concussion, including going completely blank at one stage.
Powell was knocked out by a Will Setterfield tackle in round four that saw the Carlton midfielder cop a two-match suspension.
The second-year Sun tried to regain his feet after the tackle but fell backwards and hit his head before leaving the field.
He missed the second half of that match and the following two weeks before returning against West Coast at the weekend.
READ: Academy member Fitzroy Greenwool wins RD5 NEAFL Rising Star
Speaking to AFL.com.au, Powell said his layoff included plenty of rest and a trip south to see a specialist before returning to the field.
"I had a headache for about a week," Powell said.
"During that week I got up at one stage and went completely blank and had to lean against a wall.
"It was no good.
"I hated being a couch potato. I wasn't allowed to move, wasn't allowed to go to the club or anything.
"It was ongoing headaches in the morning and getting up from sitting down and having a headache.
"It was a different feeling."
Powell's parents, who recently moved to the Gold Coast from Western Australia, took care of their son during the break.
The 19-year-old said he had no ill will towards Setterfield.
"I really don't have any recollection of what happened," Powell said.
"All I know is from watching videos.
"It didn't look like a nasty tackle. He had one arm pinned but I had the other free.
READ: HArd work paying off for Corbett
"I hit the ground hard and the scary bit was getting back up and stumbling back and hitting my head, but I have no recollection of that whatsoever."
Powell said it was "eye-opening" what a concussion could do.
"I got sent to Melbourne the week after to see a neuropsychologist and that went well, I just did a couple of puzzles and a few other things.
"She cleared me for contact and to play the next week."
The 19-year-old played his first game in Perth since being drafted, collecting 16 disposals and kicking two goals as the Suns pushed the Eagles deep into the fourth quarter.
Powell said after a "sloppy" personal start against West Coast, things clicked mid-match and he felt back to normal.
