Would be a shocking decision.

ah the memories - like Jakka ... what he might have become

Yes, we have had quite a few cut down in their prime over the years by injury or other issues......Tingay, Glenn Lovett, Sean Charles, Prympke, Ox....the list goes on and on.

My initial reaction is that its a terrible idea, however more I think on it, and presuming our football department's welfare team are up for the challenge I think it would be worthwhile risk, for sure it is a big risk, but thats sometimes what gives you the greater reward.

The key here is playing down expectations, media hype and again ensuring that welfare team is strong enough to support Liam. Having Liam on the rookie list for me is better value than having players like Couch who was never a serious chance to be elevated to our senior list IMO.

I would expect that he would be playing mostly at Casey, until not only was his fitness and body was at an acceptable standard, but more importantly it gives him (and the club) the opportunity to assess his state of mind whilst he is playing in a full time footballing environment, but not in the direct spotlight of the AFL.

I seem to recall Josh Mahoney had a good relationship with Liam, and isnt' Davey still remaining part of the club in some form? and I am still holding out hope that Michael O'Loughlin might join our group as the senior assistant, not forgetting the experience and leadership that Roos and (presumably) Stone provides.

A huge risk, but the AFL and our club need to be able to grab onto some good news stories for 2014, I think this could be one of them.

Would Roos really be an effective mentor for him? Has Roos had experience with indigenous players from backgrounds such as Liam's and isolated communities?

Roos had a bit of success coaching Goodes and O'Loughlin both going on to play 300 games... (only 4 players have reached 300 games in AFL/VFL history) Can you think of an current AFL coach that would be better suited than Paul Roos?

I think the isolated communities bit is the tough bit, and the reason why I clarified that we have a strong welfare team in place if we were to consider such a move. But to be fair there are very few coaches that have dealt with indigenous players from such remote locations, as very few players have come from communities such as Yuendumu.

Oucher 67 players have reached 300 games. Perhaps you mean 4 indigenous players...

Roos had a bit of success coaching Goodes and O'Loughlin both going on to play 300 games... (only 4 players have reached 300 games in AFL/VFL history) Can you think of an current AFL coach that would be better suited than Paul Roos?

I think the isolated communities bit is the tough bit, and the reason why I clarified that we have a strong welfare team in place if we were to consider such a move. But to be fair there are very few coaches that have dealt with indigenous players from such remote locations, as very few players have come from communities such as Yuendumu.

Goodes and O'Loughlin aren't really relevant as I was referring to players with situations like Jurrah, maybe even to a lesser extent Austin Wonaemirri.

The fact is I don't think there is any AFL coach that is really suited at this point. That's why Jurrah just won't work I think, unless he can pull himself together and walk away from the community issues (which I hope no one would ever ask him to do).

Oucher 67 players have reached 300 games. Perhaps you mean 4 indigenous players...

yeah sorry, I had indigenous at one point, and when I was proof-reading... I think I over proofed

Goodes and O'Loughlin aren't really relevant as I was referring to players with situations like Jurrah, maybe even to a lesser extent Austin Wonaemirri.

The fact is I don't think there is any AFL coach that is really suited at this point. That's why Jurrah just won't work I think, unless he can pull himself together and walk away from the community issues (which I hope no one would ever ask him to do).

Again, my initial comment above was that such a thing was high risk, and the welfare team @ the club is essential if it was to work. Josh Mahoney would be as pivotal as Roos in terms of ensuring that an environment that could assist and support Jurrah is provided for.

The comment about Jurrah walking away from his issues is interesting, as I don't think Jurrah is living anywhere near Yuenmdumu is he? Last I heard is that he was playing local footy down @ Port Lincoln I think) It was also Jurrah that expressed that he wanted to see if he could make another go of things, all I am doing is saying it would be fantastic if he could do so, sure it's a long shot at best, but if it would be a great story if he was able to return to the AFL, and better if it happened to be with us.

Again, my initial comment above was that such a thing was high risk, and the welfare team @ the club is essential if it was to work. Josh Mahoney would be as pivotal as Roos in terms of ensuring that an environment that could assist and support Jurrah is provided for.

The comment about Jurrah walking away from his issues is interesting, as I don't think Jurrah is living anywhere near Yuenmdumu is he? Last I heard is that he was playing local footy down @ Port Lincoln I think) It was also Jurrah that expressed that he wanted to see if he could make another go of things, all I am doing is saying it would be fantastic if he could do so, sure it's a long shot at best, but if it would be a great story if he was able to return to the AFL, and better if it happened to be with us.

I was under the impression he still had responsibilities to the community but I guess there is a good chance he doesn't anymore after what happened.

It would be a pretty great thing to happen if he did make it back but I just think he is probably too out of sorts to do it and that there isn't adequate support anywhere for him.

While I agree with most that it would be either a massive gamble or a stupid thing to Rookie him at the end of this year, it would be the story off all stories.

Imagine the kind of enthusiasm that it would inject into the club (players and fans).

While I agree with most that it would be either a massive gamble or a stupid thing to Rookie him at the end of this year, it would be the story off all stories.

Imagine the kind of enthusiasm that it would inject into the club (players and fans).

Yup I agree, it's a massive risk, but I would love to see the club take the risk with someone like him as a rookie rather than players we have chosen in the past like Couch & Magner. I think players on the Rookie list should be speculative players, ones that have a mix of both elite/exceptional traits combined with some noticeable flaws...rather than spending it on players who are perhaps NQR that are unlikely to make the step from VFL to AFL...

Yup I agree, it's a massive risk, but I would love to see the club take the risk with someone like him as a rookie rather than players we have chosen in the past like Couch & Magner. I think players on the Rookie list should be speculative players, ones that have a mix of both elite/exceptional traits combined with some noticeable flaws...rather than spending it on players who are perhaps NQR that are unlikely to make the step from VFL to AFL...

To be honest I can't really see him having a negative impact on the playing group even if he is a failure. I can't see him making other team mates slack off at training or taking a whole lot of people out drinking (especially if he is at Casey).

I do see him however having the ability to lift team spirits when times are tough.

If we want to be a good team we need to take some risk like Jurrah and Garlett.

I believe he has been training/playing for a club this year - worth looking into.

We could rookie him and tell him that if he gets through a whole year with no problems at Casey (training and all) then he might be able to train/play with Melbourne. That way we can distance him from the players/club if needed.

I would give my left one (their work is long done now), to see him playing in Demon colours again. The most naturally gifted Demon I have seen since Flower.

I almost lost my eldest son to Geelong - because of the brilliance of Ablett - until Jurrah burst on the scene. Hearing my boy yell out "Juuurrraaahhh" every time Jurrah went near the ball was magic for a Dees dad. Every move he made was breath-taking.

It would be a very, very long road back to AFL footy. And to be honest I can't see him doing the hard physical yards or coping with the even tougher psychological battles in order to get back.

But I would go to every Casey home game just to see him play. If he made it back onto the MCG for a home game (Queen's Birthday v Pies) it would be sweeter than mum's iced vo-vo biscuits.

Could warrant a project like the NSW scholarship program - we support his development and preparation for AFL, and get priority access to him should he reach a draftable level.

I cant believe people are still hopeful about this guy. He is tired old news.

is there a chance of having a dislike button??

The club made enough exceptions to have LJ at the club. He didn't train the same amount, wasn't measured by the same criteria, didnt have to do a lot of things that regular players had to do or adhere to the same rules that others had to adhere to.

I get that LJ had special circumstances about his upbringing, language, culture etc however, (and its not popular to say this) the latitude we gave LJ was thrown back in our faces. And it polarised the playing group. 'why could he get away with things that we are not able to'

I don't care what people say, when you allow certain players to do things or treat them differently then it becomes harder to enforce a 'group think' about training loads, expectations on performance, commitment etc. Its human nature.

Let alone the fact he threw it back in the faces of those he trained with and those that supported him..

There is no going back. Its a romantic notion because he had sublime skills, But move on. It would be a disaster.

is there a chance of having a dislike button??

And that is a tired old forum cliche.

The club made enough exceptions to have LJ at the club. He didn't train the same amount, wasn't measured by the same criteria, didnt have to do a lot of things that regular players had to do or adhere to the same rules that others had to adhere to.

I get that LJ had special circumstances about his upbringing, language, culture etc however, (and its not popular to say this) the latitude we gave LJ was thrown back in our faces. And it polarised the playing group. 'why could he get away with things that we are not able to'

I don't care what people say, when you allow certain players to do things or treat them differently then it becomes harder to enforce a 'group think' about training loads, expectations on performance, commitment etc. Its human nature.

Let alone the fact he threw it back in the faces of those he trained with and those that supported him..

There is no going back. Its a romantic notion because he had sublime skills, But move on. It would be a disaster.

The unusual lattitude afforded to him by the club for the alledged machette incident did not go unnoticed by the playing group.

I don't mind a bit of speculation, guesswork or even, on occasion, unbridled optimism and even fantasy. However, I reckon the Jurrah thing has been done to death and now should be cremated and put on the mantelpiece and admired for the memories it evokes.

The unusual lattitude afforded to him by the club for the alledged machette incident did not go unnoticed by the playing group.

And you know this how?

I don't mind a bit of speculation, guesswork or even, on occasion, unbridled optimism and even fantasy.

Most on here would certainly believe your like for unbridled fantasy Bitty.

whats thr harm in letting him train with us?