FIRST GLIMPSES by Whispering Jack

There is no secret as to why I (along with many others) made the journey out to Casey Fields yesterday.

It was very simple - Liam Jurrah was playing his first game since his selection by Melbourne in December's Pre Season Draft and while many articles have been written about this young indigenous phenomenon from the country's red centre, there's no substitute for seeing a player do his thing out there on the field.

Admittedly, Jurrah's pre-season was patchy. There were reports of freakish pieces of play at training but we hadn't yet had the opportunity of seeing him in action. He was selected in the squad for the Aboriginal All Stars game against Adelaide in Darwin in early February but withdrew due to "lack of conditioning".

After that there were reports that the project player wasn't quite ready and needed time and work to make the transition from bush footy to the elite level and Melbourne coach Dean Bailey made it clear that this progression will be gradual.

"We don't want to rush his development. He's a very good ball handler, he's got really good agility, and he actually tackles particularly well. He's got a vertical jump which is exciting, and the defensive part of his game is very good."

Bailey's conclusion was that it was necessary to keep working Jurrah in the gym to "get his body ready to play with some confidence around the ground."

The knowledge that the coach believed that the player wasn't ready yet didn't deter me. I still wanted to see him in the flesh; to determine whether all the hype about the Centralian sensation was true. Even if we had to wait a while to see him at AFL level, it might give an insight into whether the Demons have on their hands one of the answers to their prayers for a goal kicking forward?

The reality was never going to match the expectation. For starters, it was clear from the moment he ran out onto the ground with his Casey Scorpions team mates, that the impressive but spindly Jurrah was not as tall as some of the early reports on him suggested. He's not 193cm tall and not even 190cm as is stated in the melbournefc magazine - more like about 187cm at most.

Jurrah showed some glimpses of brilliance, kicked an early goal and flashed in and out of the play but he barely played out a half before showing signs of tiredness. His last shot at goal (admittedly in windy conditions) hit the behind post.

Perhaps it was due to limited time on the track but he doesn't seem to have a strong engine. Coming from our hot centre you would imagine that he'd be used to the dry heat that prevailed yesterday at Casey Fields and yet he looked tired after a couple of long chases.

Yes, it is going to take time ...

Then it struck me how alike his mission to become an AFL footballer must be to that of his club's current Chairman when he embarked on his remarkable sporting career almost a quarter of a century ago.

Jim Stynes left his family and friends in Dublin and arrived here in November 1984 hopeful of kicking off a football career in unfamiliar surroundings a long way from home. He struggled early and his under 19 coach Ray Jordon sent him to Prahran in the VFA competition (now VFL) but returned to Melbourne after one season to become a club legend, a Brownlow Medallist and now the club's off field leader. Jim's valuable work with the Reach Foundation has also earned him acclimation from the wider general community.

So Liam Jurrah's career is set to begin like Jimmy's not in the big time but in the VFL. His aim is to eventually succeed at the elite level and to become a role model for the youth back home in Yuendumu where he is being groomed as a future tribal elder.

And though his football club leader's big footsteps will be eminently suitable ones to follow as his career unfolds, we're hoping if he happens to make it to a preliminary final in a few year's time, that he watches his step!

LINK: ALL STAR DREAMING

Good read WJ

great article. thanks for the updates on Jurrah. It looks like it could go either way with him; a good long term prospect or a venture that doesnt quiet fit. Whatever happens, how many preseason draft picks can you really get this excited about..

Dean Bailey has said that three Demons youngsters Liam Jurrah, Rohan Bail and Jake Spencer, who was under 'serious consideration', were in the mix to make their league debuts.

Dees have selection options

Dean Bailey has said that three Demons youngsters Liam Jurrah, Rohan Bail and Jake Spencer, who was under 'serious consideration', were in the mix to make their league debuts.

Dees have selection options

This jumping the gun way to early but.....

With a name like Jurrah surely it is screaming out for a "Juuuuuur" chant similar to Yze and whar Cooney gets now.

Whether he is any good or not.

Go dees!!!

I'd be very surprised if Jurrah played this week, I'd prefer him to really settle into life in Melbourne and play some good, consistent footy for Casey. There is absolutely no need to rush this kid at all, in fact the more I think about it the more I think it would be a bad idea.

I'm sure Bailey meant that he was 'in the mix' by unlikely.

I'd be very surprised if Jurrah played this week, I'd prefer him to really settle into life in Melbourne and play some good, consistent footy for Casey. There is absolutely no need to rush this kid at all, in fact the more I think about it the more I think it would be a bad idea.

I'm sure Bailey meant that he was 'in the mix' by unlikely.

Or the journo mistook Bailey saying "Jetta" for "Jurrah".....

Or the journo mistook Bailey saying "Jetta" for "Jurrah".....

Yeah everywhere else I have read it has been Jetta, Spencer and Bail. Think Sportal have thir J's mixed up.

Or the journo mistook Bailey saying "Jetta" for "Jurrah".....

Hit the nail on the head I reckon. Makes more sense.

Just show's you can't alway's believe what you read.

Or the journo mistook Bailey saying "Jetta" for "Jurrah".....

Very likely. Jurrah is no chance to play this week as he has only had one run for a half with Casey.

Very likely. Jurrah is no chance to play this week as he has only had one run for a half with Casey.

Agree. I would be surprised that they would do it as I have seen Jurrah mentioned as a "project" player on and off the field.

Considering there is no direct quote, we don't know the context of the question that prompted Bailey to mention Jurrah and Bail.

I still think Cheney and Spencer will debut.

Or the journo mistook Bailey saying "Jetta" for "Jurrah".....

Some nutta got the Jitters over Jetta and Jurrah for sure me thinks.. Jurrah is a good 3-4 games in the magoos first I would suspect..and a couple of really good feeds and some more hours in the gym.

Jetta might be the surprise packet as was Aussie last year.

Agree with those above: surely meant Jetta.

In fact, reading the article, Jetta is named and Jurrah isn't.

If Jetta is playing he will definitely be going into my Supercoach team. From what I have seen so far in the NAB challenge, this kid deserves a shot at the big time. Besides, he knows how to kick a goal which is something we have and still struggle to do.

When i started this post it said jurah not jetta they have since changed it i have no responsability over there mistake :angry:

I'm just loving the fact that there are people who will be left out of the side. When was the last time we had enough fit players for that to happen?