sentences:  Unable to play in Carlton's match in Adelaide, on the Saturday following the VFL Grand Final, against the 1968 SAFL Premiers, Sturt Football Club, he sought treatment for a severe back injury, and was advised to retire from the game immediately, or risk becoming permanently paralysed.He had kept the severity and nature of his back ailment to himself, and the Carlton officials were not aware that the courageous and highly motivated Kekovich was secretly receiving extensive treatment, including acupuncture, each week, at his own expense.In 1969 he finally revealed that he had been badly injured when he had been kicked on the top of his right hip during a match against Fitzroy in 1968.