Michael Close Biography

North Melbourne's VFL co-captain Michael Close has not given up on reigniting his AFL dream despite a serious concussion ending his season prematurely.

Close suffered "a significant bleed" on his brain after suffering a heavy hit against Geelong in the VFL.

The Kangaroos' medical team cleared Close to go home that afternoon, but he spent that night and the next morning vomiting before contacting the club doctor, who ordered him an ambulance.

"I had a rough night and couldn't sleep. In the morning, I knew something wasn't right when I vomited again. It wasn't a good sign," Close said.

"I was taken to hospital in Horsham for a CT scan. It showed a significant bleed on my brain, which, I'll admit, did scare me."

Michael Close bemoans having to sit on the sidelines after an ACL operation.

The country Victorian is now almost 10 months into his rehabilitation and ready to jump right in intra-club games in the next fortnight.

"You don't actually know how tough it is until you experience it. Sitting on the sidelines, we're getting beaten and you can't do anything about it," Close said.

"It's the saddest place to be in."

Etihad Stadium says an AFL report has absolved the venue of any blame for the season-ending knee injury suffered by Brisbane Lions' big man Michael Close.

Close damaged his anterior cruciate ligament when he slid towards an apparently uneven patch of synthetic turf near the interchange gates during last Sunday's loss to North Melbourne.

But in a statement released on Friday, the stadium's CEO Paul Sargeant said a commissioned report had "overwhelmingly vindicated the presentation and safety of the venue's playing surface".

Sargeant said although Etihad Stadium's management had empathy for Close, the report found "no difference within the playing characteristics of either surface within the interchange areas".

Lions' football manager Dean Warren said the club would not make any decisions in response to the AFL report until after it had received the findings from a separate investigation by the AFL Players' Association.

After emerging Lions forward Michael Close ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at Etihad Stadium, Brisbane great Jonathan Brown has questioned the safety of the stadium's surface near the boundary line.

"How bad's that? The AstroTurf going all the way to the boundary line, there's a bit of a lip there," Brown told Fox Footy.

"That's workplace health and safety for mine.

"There's enough hurdles out there and enough obstructions ... to be worried about how the footing is on the ground."

Michael Close requires knee surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.

Scans confirmed on Monday Close had ruptured the ACL in his left knee after landing awkwardly in Sunday night's loss to North Melbourne.

Close limped from the field but was subbed out of the game a short time afterwards.

"It's incredibly disappointing for Closey and everyone at the footy club really feels for him," Lions general manager of football Dean Warren said.

"As with any major injury, our focus is on making sure he gets the best care possible and getting him on the road to recovery as soon as possible."

Michael Close hopes to be the Lions' main focal point up forward in 2015 following the departure of Jonathan Brown.

"That No.1 spot is up for grabs and hopefully I can make it mine by the end of the season, or even half-way through the season," Close said.

"I want to try and cement my place at centre half-forward and work alongside Jono Freeman or Jackson Paine or Luke McGuane."

Michael Close signs a three-year contract extension that will keep him at the Brisbane Lions until the end of the 2017 season.

“It’s a big thing in my life to be able to sign a three-year deal with the club because I think we’re in good shape going forward,” he said.

“There’s been plenty of faith shown by them, which is great from my end, and I think we have a really good relationship.”

Michael Close makes his AFL debut for Brisbane with 4 disposals (a kick and 3 handballs), a mark and 5 tackles in a 48-point loss to Hawthorn.