The tragic downfall of Liam Jurrah

[daisycutter 29,743]

Funny how we have had (have) a lot of indiginous players over the years and i can't recall any of them getting into trouble over alcohol

now we have liam ex collingwood ex melbourne ex yuendumu ex alice springs ex port melbourne and his drinking problem is melbourne's fault

that reporter must have done a lot of investigation

add one more journalist reporter hack scibbler to the club's banned list

[Arrow 1,257]

Clearly this was because of the culture Neale Daniher brought in hey Deeluded and WYL...

Move along Stu, I like what you have to say when you're talking about a topic not being personal. Keep it footy related.

[Little Goffy 14,645]

The rumours about the Shanghai binge sessions have circulated a long time and always been a little disquieting.

It is too easy to imagine, two of the most reckless, competitive drinking cultures in the world (Aussie bloke with Chinese businessmen playing host) coming into collision. But to imply that a bender in Shanghai became a lifestyle in Melbourne is a bit of a stretch.

It would be more reasonable to say that the accumulated stress of being away from family, trying to perform at AFL level, having constant attention and expectation on him, being struck out by injury and having his value undermined by the changing, fitness-first style of the game, may have all added up to a very bad state of mind all around.

Side thought - an 80 per game interchange rule would basically eliminate Liam Jurrah and anyone like him from AFL football. We are talking a big share of highly talented people, too. Hell, even Gary Ablett Snr would struggle to stand out now, with his opponents flooding back, double-teaming him, pressing the ball carriers so delivery was terrible, then running off him and launching counter attacks.

[rjay 25,093]

The rumours about the Shanghai binge sessions have circulated a long time and always been a little disquieting.

Side thought - an 80 per game interchange rule would basically eliminate Liam Jurrah and anyone like him from AFL football. We are talking a big share of highly talented people, too. Hell, even Gary Ablett Snr would struggle to stand out now, with his opponents flooding back, double-teaming him, pressing the ball carriers so delivery was terrible, then running off him and launching counter attacks.

I think you answer your own question. Ablett might struggle a bit more with the current game but reducing interchange is meant to open the game up and would play right into his hands, less flooding back, press and ability to double team.

Liam and Ablett senior weren't the best trainers in the biz and that's where they would and in Liam's case did find trouble with the professionalism required of today's players.

[Swampfox 190]

I just hope Liam is found not guilty and is able to get on with the rest of his life

We never saw the best of what he could do as he was never fit enough

A wasted opportunity and IMO a tragedy

[Carrot Top 947]

Was there ever a time when people took responsibility for their own actions? Liam's drinking is his own fault.

*puts face in hands*

This drawn out tanking summer really broke the funny bone around here, didn't it?

[Je Roos Salem 661]

We recruit a player of rarely seen talent and athleticism. We saw what he did, we gave him nicknames, he gave us joy, we knew him on the field and we were fed a picture of him off the field too- local hero, indigenous boy from a different world. I liked his nature, I liked his attitude, I stuck up for him and even called him my favourite player for a while. Instead of a prosperous career, how do we react when he leaves the club and allegations of alcoholism, domestic disputes, murder etc. come out? Is he still the Walpiri Wizard in our hearts from when we saw goals and marks from flat on the ground and high in the sky? You decide. That's how it is in footy, players come and go. He doesn't belong to the club so it has to be through memory of him or empathy for him. Of course we are all going to have different opinions on this, it's all to do with weighing up what's happened on and off the field and what being a supporter means to the individual.

It just stresses the point that we can never be on top of what goes in players' lives. We'll hear feel good stories, sure, but should we really be surprised when a player isn't like what we first thought? I mean these are just guys who love footy, are good at footy, and make people happy through their footy and their status. Players will have certain tendencies, and they will also have a hell of a lot going on in their lives. I'm not sweeping Jurrah under the table and I'm remembering all the people he's made happy in his short career. I wish it were as simple as letting him play footy again as means to help him, but who knows

[Whispering_Jack 30,674]

The news I'm hearing is that the prosecution in the Darwin Supreme Court case is considering dropping some of the charges against Liam. I don't know if the idea is to shorten the case or to draw out a plea bargain but irrespective, I hope this turns out well for Liam and that he has the strength to face and overcome all of the issues that have surfaced in his life over the past twelve months. I'm not sure however, that it's in his interest for him to talk to journos at this stage when he's facing so many legal trials in which one of the recurring issues appears to be his drinking.

[mauriesy 7,357]

Maybe Liam would have suffered the same fate at any club, given the difference in culture between a Melbourne-based football club and Yuendemu. Maybe he would have had great problems if he'd just stayed in Yuendemu and never seen the light of day in the AFL. Maybe Liam would have ended up having drinking problems no matter where he found himself or what happened to him. Maybe someone's keeping a vendetta going against the club and are just promoting division.

But maybe, just maybe, the trip to China was boozily excessive and a very poor advertisement and occasion for the club. Maybe it's a cultural abherration we've hopefully left behind. Maybe it's a symbol of the poor pre-Neeld, unprofessional culture.

We should be careful not to just jump on the messenger, or Liam, in our desire to protect the club, and at least consider what role, however large or small, we had in the outcome, despite all the good things we did.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I'd venture to say that the average scores today are higher than they were a hundred, fifty or even twenty-five years ago.

I didn't say anything about the scores.

I was talking about the way the game was played. The open spaces to operate within & the room to run & take some bounces, dodge & weave, & generally be creative.

the attractiveness & simple pleasure of watching the game & cheering/admiring the skills on show.

today its like a stew, everything chucked into the melting pot together, & vitamized.

[dee-luded 2,959]

The news I'm hearing is that the prosecution in the Darwin Supreme Court case is considering dropping some of the charges against Liam. I don't know if the idea is to shorten the case or to draw out a plea bargain but irrespective, I hope this turns out well for Liam and that he has the strength to face and overcome all of the issues that have surfaced in his life over the past twelve months. I'm not sure however, that it's in his interest for him to talk to journos at this stage when he's facing so many legal trials in which one of the recurring issues appears to be his drinking.

Lets hope so Jack.

I'd like to see Liam just go back to a simple life somehow, & leave the pressures behind?

[Chook 15,022]

I didn't say anything about the scores.

I was talking about the way the game was played. The open spaces to operate within & the room to run & take some bounces, dodge & weave, & generally be creative.

the attractiveness & simple pleasure of watching the game & cheering/admiring the skills on show.

today its like a stew, everything chucked into the melting pot together, & vitamized.

Pardon me for thinking "attacking" meant "high-scoring." It was an honest mistake, and there's really no point in trying to convince you of my opinion so I'll just take what you say on board and see if it's really true throughout this coming season.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Pardon me for thinking "attacking" meant "high-scoring." It was an honest mistake, and there's really no point in trying to convince you of my opinion so I'll just take what you say on board and see if it's really true throughout this coming season.

You could say attacking is high scoring, but that isn't what i was referring to re scores

No, I was talking about the balance of the game & the viewing of the game. Old days were more attacking in the bias of offence/defence.

There was more room for the creative, or brutish players to work in... it was great to watch, & easy to see what was going on & get involved with.

Today's footy is harder work by the players, both ways, but frankly, I find it hard to watch (almost impossible, I don't watch other teams anymore {tv}, & really struggle to watch us) & to see what is going on in the malls...

I personally find it uninspiring, & want it to return to a more open game.

& I find stats boring, but thats just me.

#Edit: in relation to the thread: our indig' boys would love more space, & less sports science to inflict their skills.

Edited March 5, 2013 by dee-luded

[Dockett 32 1,239]

Yeah, well I'd probably drink heavily if I was drafted by Melbourne.

Being a supporter has taken a heavy enough toll on my liver.

Concur. Why do we not have Blackmores as a sponsor?

[farmerwiz 60]

wish him well but didnt appreciate him walking out on us so im no longer worried or that interested

we gave him opportunity and support and he walked out

he would have taken up the support staff that 10 players normally would, got paid a huge amount for minimal on the ground and injuries

time to move on

[Mono 455]

wish him well but didnt appreciate him walking out on us so im no longer worried or that interested

we gave him opportunity and support and he walked out

he would have taken up the support staff that 10 players normally would, got paid a huge amount for minimal on the ground and injuries

time to move on

Concur.

[Roost It 1,434]

wish him well but didnt appreciate him walking out on us so im no longer worried or that interested

we gave him opportunity and support and he walked out

he would have taken up the support staff that 10 players normally would, got paid a huge amount for minimal on the ground and injuries

time to move on

you are clearly a f...wit

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

you are clearly a f...wit

Roost it some people might see that as a pretty fair comment on what farmerwiz said but no need for the outlash..

Edited March 5, 2013 by dazzledavey36

[farmerwiz 60]

he is an adult who makes and has to live by his choices

had a great network in melb, a juicy contract, friends and a very supportive club

choose to walk away which hasnt proved to be a great decision and he has to live with that decision

a fwit is a nice personal attack which sums up where ur at, but there has to be some realistic views on the support and care we gave a player who walked out

the club will continue to drop him a line to offer support im sure but time for everyone else to put our energies into our club and the people who want to be there

appreciate ur well thought out response lol

[farmerwiz 60]

id imagine the eloquent "roost it" was so passionate in support when loyal long term dees ran into problems whether it be Schwartz, Steven Febey and the like

Such passion for Liam of 3 years, look forward to reviewing his posts of former loyal players who ran into trouble and the passion he showed towards them

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

he is an adult who makes and has to live by his choices

had a great network in melb, a juicy contract, friends and a very supportive club

choose to walk away which hasnt proved to be a great decision and he has to live with that decision

a fwit is a nice personal attack which sums up where ur at, but there has to be some realistic views on the support and care we gave a player who walked out

the club will continue to drop him a line to offer support im sure but time for everyone else to put our energies into our club and the people who want to be there

appreciate ur well thought out response lol

I get where your coming from.. chose to stay in adelaide to be close to family that would help and support him and well look how that has turned out, it seems he has spiral out of control and in a worse state. i believe the footy club had no other choice but to let him go and i support the decision. We are trying to build a strong profesional culture and liam was just a distraction. We busted our ass in giving liam the help he needed but he chose to go the other direction which i thought would have been better for him but its turned out worse.

Liam didn't even thank the club when he left after the chance we gave him which i was really upset about. though he did thank aknowledge it on his facebook when he missed out getting picked up by port.

Edited March 5, 2013 by dazzledavey36

[Fitz Fitzpatrick 886]

You could say attacking is high scoring, but that isn't what i was referring to re scores

No, I was talking about the balance of the game & the viewing of the game. Old days were more attacking in the bias of offence/defence.

There was more room for the creative, or brutish players to work in... it was great to watch, & easy to see what was going on & get involved with.

Today's footy is harder work by the players, both ways, but frankly, I find it hard to watch (almost impossible, I don't watch other teams anymore {tv}, & really struggle to watch us) & to see what is going on in the malls...

I personally find it uninspiring, & want it to return to a more open game.

& I find stats boring, but thats just me.

#Edit: in relation to the thread: our indig' boys would love more space, & less sports science to inflict their skills.

I agree deeluded. its like seagulls fighting over a bag of chips these days. Hopefully either the game will evolve back to that more open man on man contest or perhaps teh league will make changes. perhaps the interchange cap will help but i doubt it. 80 rotations is still double what they were doing in the late 90s.

[The Lobster Effect 893]

though he did thank aknowledge it on his facebook when he missed out getting picked up by port.

Liam's on facebook?

[Cards13 9,117]

Liam's on facebook?

Yuendemu was one of the first places the NBN rolled out cable.

[McQueen 17,867]

Yuendemu was one of the first places the NBN rolled out cable.

Labor government logic at least...