Essendon premiership player John Barnes is at the helm of a potential concussion action against the AFL and its clubs which, echoing a similar suit in the NFL which ended in a billion-dollar settlement.

News Corp Australia’s Herald Sun reported on Thursday that the 48-year-old, part of the Bombers’ 2000 premiership-winning side, believes his issues with epilepsy and memory loss may be linked to head knocks incurred during his career.

“It’s turned my life upside down … I’m not the same bloke I used to be,” Barnes told the Herald Sun.

“I know things are changing in my mind and I want answers.”

Barnes, who also spent eight seasons with Geelong, has agreed to be lead plaintiff in the proposed suit which involves veteran agent Peter Jess and prominent lawyer Greg Griffin, also the president of A-League club Adelaide United.

“The causes of action will be predominantly the same as those run by NFL players in the US,” Griffin told the Herald Sun on Wednesday.