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The AFL will not stop Liam Jurrah playing for Melbourne while he fights criminal charges. The 23-year-old returned to the club for the first time on Tuesday since being charged last week in Alice Springs over an alleged machete attack.
Jurrah, who is also working his way back from a wrist injury, had an individual fitness session in the club’s gym but did not train with teammates.
He was to meet the Demons administration and coaching staff throughout the day to work out how best to continue his career as he deals with his fitness issues and upcoming court case.
Jurrah is to reappear in court on May 17 on charges of unlawfully causing serious harm and being armed with an offensive weapon at night.
The Demons were still to determine whether he would also be sanctioned by the club.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said when Melbourne decided the forward was ready to play again, the league would not have a problem.
“In the event that there’s so much uncertainty, I see no reason why he wouldn’t play, pending the outcome of the charge,” Demetriou told reporters.
Melbourne veteran Brad Green said Jurrah was in good spirits, but his quiet nature would make it hard for him to cope with the publicity surrounding his legal dramas.
“I know Liam as a guy and the type of person that he is, he’d be doing it tough,” Green said.
“He likes to do his talking with the football.”
He is unlikely to get that chance for months, though.
Coach Mark Neeld said on Saturday night Jurrah was not expected to play in the first half of the season as he rebuilt his fitness, regardless of the outcome of his court case.
Green said the presence of fellow indigenous players Aaron Davey, Jamie Bennell and Neville Jetta at the club would help Jurrah.
And he said the saga would not shift the rest of the team’s focus from preparations for their opening-round clash with Brisbane.
But the ex-skipper said it was important they built some form in Friday night’s last pre-season match against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium after Saturday night’s 79-point thrashing by Hawthorn.
“It’s very important to get some positiveness back in the group,” Green said.
Co-captain Jack Grimes will not be ready to return from his shoulder injury on Friday night.
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