Sam Shaw, 27, retired from the AFL in 2016 after seven seasons, following a knock to the head in an early round, lower league game for the club.

He has launched legal action in the Victorian Supreme Court against the Crows and four medical professionals from the club who treated him after he suffered a concussion in March 2016 in the South Australian National Football League.

Shaw is seeking damages from the club and four individuals - Andrew Potter, Duncan Walker, Paul McCrory and Helen Clausen - alleging they were negligent or breached terms of agreement in respect of treatment and advice.

"Specifically, it is alleged that the concussion suffered by the plaintiff was not managed in accordance with reasonable medical practice," the writ claims.

Shaw was drafted to the Crows in 2009 at pick 45 and went on to play 24 games for the club.

After an injury-plagued start to his career in the SANFL he made his AFL debut against Greater Western Sydney in round four, 2012.

He received a rising star nomination in round 21 that year after a career-best 21 kicks against the Brisbane Lions.

Adelaide coach Don Pyke, who joined the club after Shaw's departure, said it was inappropriate for him to comment too much on the medical and legal issues, but noted concussion was one of the major issues the sport was addressing.

"The last thing we want is to see young men retire from the game, but also retire from the game with potential long-term health issues in any space, whether it be concussion or physical as well," Pyke told reporters on Wednesday.

"The medical care that we're providing our players is first class but we play an injurious game, we just can't avoid that."

Bulldogs premiership star Liam Picken announced his retirement from the sport on Monday after being unable to make a comeback from repeated concussions.

Picken, 32, played 198 games for the Melbourne club after being drafted in 2009, including a starring role in the drought-breaking 2016 premiership win.

Australian Associated Press