AFL umpire Jordnan Bannister is quitting the game to spend more time with his brother, former Heidelberg staffer Ricky Bannister.

Player-turned-umpire Jordan Bannister told AFL.com.au he had been struggling to balance work with the need to spend more time with his brother, who became a quadriplegic after a horse acident in April.

"I obviously thought about it all year once my brother's accident happened, and you know, struggling with a full-time job and obviously my family commitments, something had to give," said Jordan.

"I was dealing with a fair bit of stress. My main priorities were obviously my family and then work, so they came first."

He also gave a glimpse of the battle faced by long-time Heidelberg figure Ricky.

"His mobility is improving slightly in his arms but his health as far as his swallowing is still the same as day one," Jordan said.

"He's still not able to eat or drink. That's probably the hardest part he struggles with. He hasn't had a drink for six months so that can be pretty demoralising for him."

Jordan has been heavily involved with organsiing the Ricky Bannister Recover and Rebuild fundraiser, which will feature appearances by AFL identities at Etihad Stadium on 15 November.

A fundraiser organised by Heidelberg on 20 August raised at least $55,000 to support the press maker's former employee.

Ricky Bannister spent 18 years with Heidelberg in Victoria.

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