RudeBoy

I'm totally biased, but I saw him kick 4 goals in 8 minutes of the first quarter to win a Grand final for Yuendumu last year. I reckon once he's had a pre season there's no reason he won't do it for the Dees on the MCG. Sit back, strap on your seat belt, and get ready for the ride of your life. The best is yet to come folks. Buddy who?

Thanks for inviting me to meet with a number of Demon supporters and chat about my connection with Liam Jurrah. Seems like he had another good day at the office as well. Believe me, next year when he's really fit and has another 5 ks of muscle, he will be scary. Cheers.

I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I might incriminate myself! To be honest, since Liam's drafting by the MFC, I'd consider giving up the Pies and completely jumping on board the Demons, if not for the fact that I have never trusted anyone who changes teams. I'm always very suss about anyone who switches allegiances. It's a serious character flaw imo. It's a sign of weakness, shallowness lack of character. Therefore, I have compromised by making the Demons my second team, something which would have been unthinkable before this year. I realise that most of you on Demonland will consider that to be a [censored] weak excuse, but I figure it's best to be up front about my allegiances. One thing you need to know however, is that for each and every game that Liam plays, my passion and support for the Demons grows ever stronger. Go Liam and go Dees!

Sounds like I'd be as wrinkly as you. I'll run alongside you.

Believe me, the best is yet to come.

It's early days (game 5 to be precise) yet, and it's perfectly possible that Liam will not prove to be as good as those champions you mentioned. However, it's worth considering that it was only last year that Liam first saw the inside of a gym, that up until then he had never lifted a set of weights and had not really ever done any serious training. That suggests to me that there is incredible scope for improvement, as all we are seeing at present is raw talent. Whereas, Reiwoldt, Franklin and Brown, arrived at the AFL after several years of training in development squads, at the AIS academy etc. Even then, my recollection is that it took them a year or two to begin having a big impact at AFL level. Liam has had a big impact from his first touch. Ultimately, comparisons with other players are pointless anyway. Instead, you should all be simply enjoying watching Liam's development as a Demons player, in full knowledge that his best is yet to come. As i've said previously, he still has not had a pre-season yet, and when he's got a bigger engine plus an extra 5 ks of muscle, I reckon he'll be unstoppable. You all know i'm completely biased when it comes to our Warlpiri Warrior, so I probably shouldn't even post anything, but I couldn't help myself.

I never thought the day would come, but I definitely have 2 teams to follow now. However, my admiration for Liam is such that I would love nothing more than for him to kick the winning goal against the Pies next year!

Aaron Davey for 3 years and then hand it over to the Warlpiri Wizard. At 18yrs of age, Liam Jurrah was captain of the Yuendumu Football club, leading guys 10-12 yrs older than himself. I know I'm biased when it comes to Liam, but few believed me when I described him 2 yrs ago as potentially the next Buddy Franklin. Liam is the complete package, and strong leadership is something which comes naturally to him. In his debut game I was not surprised at all to see him directing senior Demon players around him where to go and who to pick up. Don't get fooled by his apparent shyness off the field. It's actually a reflection of his inner strength. He speaks when he needs to.

I don't want to get you all too excited, but he ain't even fit yet. He's never done a pre-season. Give him 5 more kilos of muscle and a bigger tank, he'll be absolutely unstoppable.

Great photos Japanangka - especially the one of my son, Alex, standing between Liam and Aaron! Congratulations to Susie who did a terrific job representing Mt Theo and the Yuendumu community.

If it ever becomes available, he'd love to wear number 15. it was his Dad's number made famous in Central Australia, and was his own number at Yuendumu.

He can kick 60 metres with his left foot. Believe me, he loves it hard and tough - let me tell you he ain't called a Warlpiri Warrior for nothing.

[Apologies for posting this in another thread by mistake] It was a fabulous night and a great tribute to the long journey travelled by the 6 indigenous players on the Dees list. Attended by around 200 people, there were numerous speeches, but the highlight was when Liam's grand mother, Cecily, got up to speak to thank Demonland/Demonology for the gift. She decided to speak mainly in Walpiri, and let me tell you, you could have heard a pin drop. To hear the beauty in this language touched everyone's hearts. It's really only when you hear 'language' being spoken that you begin to grasp the richness and depth of aboriginal culture, and how much of a long journey the rest of us have to travel to understand and appreciate it. Anyway, thanks to everyone involved in organising the jumper purchase and the Women of Melbourne for putting on such a fabulous event. It occurred to me afterwards, that Cecily's speech was possibly the first time an aboriginal person has delivered a speech in 'language' in the famous Long Room of the MCC. I tried to load up a photo but it failed - any suggestions on what to do?

Aaron Davey by a country mile.

The Yuendumu Football club does not award a best player medal or trophy. Instead, they honour the best team player. It's part of his DNA to do what's best for the team - though he does like taking speccies and kicking goals!

You don't need to worry about that. The community of Yuendumu are absolutely football crazy, and they have told Liam that he is down here in Melbourne on Warlpiri business. In 12 years time, after he's won a couple of Brownlows, Norm Smiths and Coleman medals, he'll be able to go back home and resume his tribal responsibilities.

It was a fabulous night and a great tribute to the long journey travelled by the 6 indigenous players on the Dees list. Attended by around 200 people, there were numerous speeches, but the highlight was when Liam's grand mother, Cecily, got up to speak to thank Demonland/Demonology for the gift. She decided to speak mainly in Walpiri, and let me tell you, you could have heard a pin drop. To hear the beauty in this language touched everyone's hearts. It's really only when you hear 'language' being spoken that you begin to grasp the richness and depth of aboriginal culture, and how much of a long journey the rest of us have to travel to understand and appreciate it. Anyway, thanks to everyone involved in organising the jumper purchase and the Women of Melbourne for putting on such a fabulous event. I tried to load up a photo but it failed - any suggestions on what to do?

Nah, drop him I reckon.

Liam Jurrah in the back pocket.

Yep, it's official. The Warlpiri Wizard it is!!

After he hooked that last goal on the weekend a friend of mine calls him 'Hooker' , as in LJ Hooker.

Put your money on LJ.

You ain't seen nothing yet guys. Just wait until Liam has completed a pre-season. at the moment he lacks the fitness of most other players - all you are seeing is raw natural talent. Give him another 5 kilos of muscle and a bigger tank and he'll be unstoppable. The best is yet to come.

Congratulations to everyone on Demonland, especially Luke (Fork), whispering Jack, Judee and all the others involved in organising this whole thing. Let me tell you that Liam is incredibly thrilled and appreciative of what is being done. I'll be there to take a few photos at the presentation on thursday. His community of Yuendumu, including his beloved Yuendumu Magpies Football club, have virtually no resources at all. They are about to get a tin shed constructed, which will be the first time their team has had any club/change rooms at all. When I was last at Yuendumu, 3 yrs ago, for a sports weekend, the players simply gathered in the scrub and got changed etc. before entering the ground to play football. Every week, their team (seniors and under 17s) have to drive 300 kms (half on a dirt road) to Alice springs where all CAFL games are held. It's a massive logistical task each week to get everyone there, and to get them back to Yuendumu after wards. When I was last in Yuendumu there was one skinny 17 yr old who caught my eye, with his ability to take screamers at will, kick with both feet and run like the wind. Seeing Liam now playing for the Dees in the AFL on the MCG almost brings tears to my eyes. You guys on Demonland should all feel proud for such a great effort in supporting Liam's community, but the guy I'm most proud of is Jungarrayi himself. Go Liam and go Dees.

If the reports are true then it is an absolute tragedy. Good luck Jimmy, you are an absolute top bloke.