Jurrah has fortnight to earn contract with Port

Updated November 29, 2012 11:44:56

Port Adelaide is giving Liam Jurrah a fortnight to prove he is worth one of the remaining three spots on the Power list.

The former Demon trained with Port for the first time today, after a year in which he has faced charges of aggravated assault and intent to cause serious harm, as well as an ankle injury during his only AFL appearance of 2012.

With Bomber Brent Prismall looking certain to be a preseason draft selection, Jurrah must show himself to be worthy of one of the two rookie-list spots.

Port Coach Ken Hinkley says Jurrah is only one of several players trying to join the club through the pre-season or rookie drafts.

"He's really excited about getting an opportunity to show he can play AFL football still and we don't doubt he can play the game," Hinkley said.

"We've just got to make sure he's physically able to play the game."

If he can prove he has the dedication to match his undoubted talent, Melbourne's leading scorer in 2011 would certainly add firepower to the fifth-lowest scorers of 2012, but his availability will depend on the outcome of his court case in Alice Springs in March.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, port-adelaide-5015, nt

First posted November 28, 2012 09:53:13

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Jurrah quits Demons to stay in Adelaide

Updated September 03, 2012 17:40:00

Liam Jurrah has quit the Melbourne AFL club as he prepares for his criminal court case next year.

Port Adelaide appears to be Jurrah's main chance of continuing his career next season, after the club released a statement on Tuesday acknowledging it had already had contact with Jurrah's management.

Jurrah, due to face trial in Alice Springs in March over an alleged machete attack, moved to Adelaide in August to be with family.

He has been on indefinite leave at Melbourne during that time.

But while the Demons were hopeful he would return and play for them next season, Jurrah's manager now says the forward wants to remain in South Australia and hopes to join an Adelaide AFL club.

"Liam has decided he needs to be close to his family," Jurrah's manager Ned Guy told The Age website.

"At this point in time family is number one for Liam and they are based in Adelaide. We know things can change over time.

"Does he want to continue playing football?

"Yes he does. He is still very passionate about footy because he loves the game and he understands it can make a difference to his people and culture.

"But at the moment his happiness and well-being are the more important thing and for that he needs to be in Adelaide."

Guy said Jurrah understood that his decision meant he might not be picked up by Adelaide or Port Adelaide, which would mean an end to his AFL career.

In the statement, Port Adelaide general manager of football Peter Rohde said the club believed Jurrah was a "very talented player".

"At this point we have had only limited contact with Liam's management, but we think he is a very talented player," Rohde said.

"He is working through some complicated issues which we are keen to better understand before making any decision regarding our interest in bringing him to Port Adelaide."

The 23-year-old is facing three charges of aggravated assault and one count of unlawfully causing serious harm.

He has played only one game of football this season, Melbourne's round eight loss to Sydney. Jurrah suffered a serious ankle injury in the game.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, adelaide-5000, sa, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted September 03, 2012 17:37:25

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Demon Jurrah to stand trial in March

Updated September 03, 2012 10:58:23

Melbourne Demons footballer Liam Jurrah has appeared briefly in the Alice Springs Supreme Court, where it was confirmed he will face trial in March next year.

Jurrah is charged with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of unlawfully causing serious harm.

The charges relate to an incident at an Alice Springs town camp earlier this year.

Jurrah's bail conditions were also amended to allow him to live in South Australia with family.

Tags: courts-and-trials, assault, australian-football-league, alice-springs-0870, melbourne-3000

First posted September 03, 2012 10:57:21

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Angry scenes outside Jurrah hearing

Updated July 24, 2012 11:38:12

There have been angry scenes outside the Alice Springs courthouse where a hearing involving footballer Liam Jurrah is being held.

Police had to subdue a crowd of about 30 people who were yelling and making violent gestures towards another group.

The court has heard Jurrah was part of a group of people alleged to have initiated an attack on another group in a local town camp earlier this year.

He has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault, unlawfully using an offensive weapon at night and causing serious harm.

The Crown alleges Jurrah armed himself with an axe and a nulla nulla and attacked several people during a fight in a town camp.

A witness has told the court he ran away when fighting broke out, but when he returned he saw Jurrah hitting his cousin Basil Jurrah with a machete, and saw the co-accused Christopher Walker "pounding" Basil with an axe.

The prosecution alleges Jurrah attacked several people, including his cousin Basil, who sustained several head injuries including a five-centimetre wound.

Jurrah is one of three men who appeared in court today over the fracas.

The Crown used opening statements of a three-day committal to detail its case against Jurrah, who is alleged to have attacked several people in the camp.

The incident is believed to be part of a feud between families in the remote community of Yuendumu.

Two witnesses testified today, both from either side of the feud, while a third witness failed to appear.

The hearing, which will decide whether the case will proceed to trial, will continue tomorrow.

In line with bail conditions, it is first time Jurrah has been back to the Northern Territory since the alleged incident.

Senior officials from the Melbourne Football Club have accompanied Jurrah, along with his close friend Bruce Hearn Mackinnon.

He has been ordered to avoid contacting family members involved in the case and must stay at an Alice Springs hotel between 7.00pm and 7.00am.

Tags: courts-and-trials, australian-football-league, assault, alice-springs-0870, nt, melbourne-3000

First posted July 23, 2012 06:58:41

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Jurrah out for six weeks

Updated May 21, 2012 16:32:30

Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah will be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering an ankle injury late in Saturday's 101-point drubbing by Sydney.

Jurrah suffered the injury late in his first senior match of the year.

It came only days after he faced the Alice Springs Magistrates Court on assault charges.

The Demons said on Monday that the ankle sprain would sideline Jurrah for four-to-six weeks.

"Liam has worked extremely hard to get back into the AFL team," said Demons football manager Josh Mahoney.

"Unfortunately, this is another injury setback.

"However, he has shown his ability to cope with injuries and respond in the past.

"We expect him to make a full recovery and return in the second half of the year."

Jurrah made a late start to Melbourne's 2012 campaign due to a wrist complaint.

The last-placed Demons have made a miserable start to the season under new coach Mark Neeld, losing their opening eight matches.

ABC Grandstand's expert summariser Tadhg Kennelly was especially damning of the team's effort at the SCG.

"You can make a choice to tackle, make a choice to put your head over the ball - you don't have to be the most gifted footballer in the world," Kennelly said.

"I could get my grandmother at 88 years of age (to) tackle. You don't need all the ability in the world to do that.

"The players are making the choice not to implement (their) game plan - these are things that you can control as a footballer.

"You mightn't be getting a kick and you mightn't be kicking great goals, but you can control your intensity, control your tackling, control your effort.

"And the effort's not there, it's quite embarrassing really for a football club to go through this for so long.

"Neeld must be going absolutely nuts up in the box, I'd hate to be up there as a coach.

"There are only so many movements, so many things you can do in rotations ... if the players' effort and intensity is not there, there's not a whole lot you can do except get rid of them.

"And that's as plain and simple as football comes.

"As a footballer, you want to get respect from the AFL community. I know playing with the Swans that every time you came against the Sydney Swans, you want 'em feeling after the game, win or lose, that 'God, that was a hard day at the office, 'God we worked hard.'

"Melbourne is losing so much respect with what's happening right now."

AAP/ABC

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, melbourne-3000

First posted May 21, 2012 15:31:12

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Jurrah to have scans for leg injury

Updated May 20, 2012 15:11:16

Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah could be facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines after limping off the SCG with a suspected broken ankle.

Jurrah's comeback game from a wrist complaint ended on a sour note in Saturday's 101-point loss to Sydney.

The controversial forward, who faced court on Thursday on assault charges, had 12 possessions for the Demons, who have made a woeful 0-8 start to the season under new coach Mark Neeld.

A Demons spokesman said on Sunday any talk of a lengthy injury lay-off was pure speculation at this stage.

"He's having another scan today," he said.

Medical expert Peter Larkins noted Jurrah was unable to put any weight on his left ankle as he was assisted from the ground after landing awkwardly in a marking contest.

"They (Melbourne) are worried about a broken ankle," Larkins said on the Seven Network.

"Liam Jurrah will have a nasty ankle injury, possibly a break and miss a lot of time."

Collingwood's Brownlow Medallist midfielder Dane Swan (hamstring) and All-Australian defender Ben Reid (thigh) are both likely to be out for a month.

Essendon's veteran defender Dustin Fletcher (groin) is in doubt for Saturday's clash with Greater Western Sydney.

Richmond defender Dylan Grimes (hamstring) is expected to miss a month, although Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said he hoped it was only a minor strain.

Fletcher and Grimes were both subbed off during Saturday's clash at the MCG.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, melbourne-3000

First posted May 20, 2012 15:11:16

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Four more charges laid against Demon Jurrah

By Ruby Jones

Updated May 17, 2012 22:26:47

Four more charges have been laid against AFL star Liam Jurrah but he will be able to play in a match in Darwin just two days before he goes to a committal hearing.

The Melbourne Demons player was already facing charges of causing serious harm and being armed with an offensive weapon in an alleged melee.

The charges relate to an alleged machete attack on a man at Little Sisters town camp in Alice Springs in March.

The victim of the alleged attack is his 35-year-old cousin.

In an Alice Springs court today, the prosecution added four charges of aggravated assault to the case against Jurrah.

These relate to the same evening of the alleged incident but involve four different people.

Jurrah, 23, appeared before the court via a video link from Melbourne.

Magistrate John Birch has set July 23 as a date for the committal hearing, at which time Jurrah will have to appear before the court in person.

Defence lawyer John McBride applied for a variation of bail conditions so Jurrah can play for Melbourne in a match against Port Adelaide in Darwin on July 21.

After earlier saying he did not usually vary bail conditions for personal matters, Mr Birch later approved the application.

The magistrate ordered Jurrah to travel to Alice Springs immediately after the match for the committal hearing.

Jurrah hails from Yuendumu, 260 kilometres north west of Alice Springs.

People from Jurrah's Warlpiri group have been involved in a bitter and sometimes bloody feud between two families that has divided the community.

Tags: courts-and-trials, australian-football-league, sport, alice-springs-0870, melbourne-3000, port-adelaide-5015

First posted May 17, 2012 15:10:04

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Jurrah back to take on Swans

Updated May 17, 2012 19:01:03

Liam Jurrah has been picked by Melbourne for Sunday's match with Sydney at the MCG.

The news comes on the same day as Jurrah had four more charges levelled at him following an alleged attack in Alice Springs.

Jurrah appeared on a video link from Melbourne as the prosecutors laid out their extra charges.

This will be the forward's first game of the season for the winless Demons after coming into the season with a wrist injury.

Jurrah played with Casey Scorpions at the weekend kicking a goal in their 13.19 (97) to 5.15 (34) victory over Box Hill.

Former number one draft pick Jack Watts, who also played for the Scorpions last weekend, has also been recalled with former captain Brad Green and midfielder Sam Blease among the demoted players.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, melbourne-3000

First posted May 17, 2012 18:57:00

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Demons grant Jurrah personal leave

Updated March 05, 2012 20:37:51

Livewire Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah has returned to central Australia after his AFL club gave him time off for personal reasons.

The 23-year-old is expected to return to the Demons soon, but there is no timeframe on his leave.

Jurrah is an elder of the Warlpiri people, who are based about 300km north-west of Alice Springs in the small indigenous community of Yuendumu.

Nicknamed the Warlpiri Wizard, Jurrah is the first player from remote central Australia be drafted to the AFL.

"Jurrah has been granted personal leave to return home to support his family and community through a challenging period," the Demons said in a statement.

"The club is totally understanding and supportive of Liam and is in close communication with him.

"Liam has had an interrupted pre-season following wrist surgery.

"He will continue his rehabilitation and training program upon his return to Melbourne."

New Demons coach Mark Neeld said last week that Jurrah would probably be out of action until at least round one of the regular season as he recovers from the surgery.

It is so far unclear whether the return to central Australia will further delay his playing return.

"He's going to have to come back through the VFL so that is where he is at," Neeld said last week.

"We know he has had complications with his wrist.

"It lasted four weeks in a cast and didn't heal (so) he had to have an operation and he can't join in full training."

Neeld had also said there was no long-term concern about Jurrah.

"Unfortunately, we had to go back and have a second go at it," he said.

"It's not a concern, but no one wants their players to be injured."

Jurrah was Melbourne's leading goalkicker last season, with 40 from 18 games.

He has kicked 81 goals in 35 games since making his senior debut three years ago.

Jurrah is an exceptional mark and has great pace, but the defensive side of his game has come in for criticism at times.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 05, 2012 19:52:14

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Bailed Jurrah lands in Melbourne

Updated March 09, 2012 20:22:34

AFL player Liam Jurrah has arrived back in Melbourne after being granted bail on charges linked with a machete attack on the outskirts of Alice Springs.

The Melbourne Demons forward was ordered onto the plane by a Magistrate in Alice Springs this morning, where he faced court on charges including being armed with an offensive weapon and causing serious harm.

After touching down, Jurrah was ushered through the media pack and into a waiting vehicle.

AFL general manager of football operations Adrian Anderson recognised the serious matter involves complex cultural dynamics.

"This is a difficult and traumatic situation for everyone involved. Melbourne Football Club has kept the AFL informed and we will continue to liaise with the club as more details emerge," he said in a statement.

This morning, the police prosecutor told the court the 23-year-old Jurrah was drunk when he armed himself with a machete on Wednesday night.

He said the Demons forward was with another man who was armed with an axe and went to the local town camp where an argument turned violent.

A 35-year-old man is in hospital with multiple face and skull fractures after the violent outbreak at the Little Sisters town camp.

Police laid charges against Jurrah and 23-year-old Christopher Walker, who was refused bail.

The court also heard Jurrah denied any involvement when interviewed by police overnight.

Jurrah's defence lawyer argued that the footballer should get bail, saying his partner is heavily pregnant and his club wants him to continue training in Melbourne.

The prosecution did not oppose.

Magistrate John Birch set a $3,000 surety and ordered Jurrah return to Melbourne on the next flight.

He said Jurrah cannot return to the Northern Territory except for a court appearance and must report to police in south-east Melbourne twice a week.

The matter will be back in court in May.

Jurrah was granted personal leave by the Melbourne Demons earlier this week to "deal with family and community issues".

Demons chief executive Cameron Schwab says the club will offer the player every assistance it can.

"We are dealing with incredibly complex, emotional and difficult issues," Schwab said in a press conference this morning.

"Clearly he's in a challenging and difficult situation. We'd have to sit down and discuss with him and take it one step at a time.

"Every player, to play an elite standard of the game, is required to give of himself a maturity level that belies their age.

"What Liam's done to this point has been extraordinary, and that journey continues from our perspective."

The 23-year-old forward comes from Yuendumu, 300 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs.

People from Jurrah's Warlpiri group have been involved in a bitter and at times bloody feud between two families that has divided the community.

Superintendent White declined to comment on whether this week's violence is linked to the Yuendumu dispute, which escalated after the stabbing death of a young man in 2010.

When the victim's family sought to carry out traditional punishment, police intervened and dozens of residents fled to Adelaide.

Tags: assault, crime, law-crime-and-justice, australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, alice-springs-0870, nt, vic, australia

First posted March 09, 2012 17:35:51

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Jurrah plans to stay the course

Updated March 12, 2012 17:42:07

Liam Jurrah insists he wants to keep playing for Melbourne after a turbulent week in which he was charged with causing serious harm with an offensive weapon in his native Yuendumu.

Jurrah, 23, was bailed at Alice Springs Law Courts until May 17 over his alleged involvement in a machete attack at the Little Sisters town camp, a charge he denies.

The powerful forward, who will not take the field in the immediate future due to a wrist injury, has been joined by his mother and grandmother in Melbourne.

With this support along with that from family friends and the Demons, Jurrah believes he can get through these troubled times.

"It's tough at the moment ... I want to keep going. Keep my dream going." Jurrah told Fox Sports.

"I've got to just keep doing what I'm doing right now. Keep training and stick to the routine in the club.

"Family's first but ... footy's more important than anything (else).

"At the moment I just really want to make my family proud playing footy."

Jurrah's grandmother Cecily Granites also spoke about the influence Jurrah playing in the AFL has on the community back in Yuendumu.

"I think it's really important for a person like Liam, and all the players from Indigenous communities, coming all the way down from the remote areas to play," Granites said.

"It makes us feel really proud."

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, yuendumu-0872, nt, australia

First posted March 12, 2012 13:20:45

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Jurrah leaps high over the Tigers

Published:Saturday, June 25, 2011 5:56 AEST

Liam Jurrah of the Demons flies for a mark during the round 14 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Melbourne Demons at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 25, 2011.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000, richmond-3121

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Jurrah marks over Hunt at the Gabba

 Published:Sunday, April 17, 2011 5:07 AEST

Liam Jurrah of the Demons marks over Karmichael Hunt of the Suns during the round four AFL match at the Gabba on April 17, 2011.

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