Liam Jurrah No.1

[Palmer Stoat]

Obviously recruiters at Collingwood 'did' rate him otherwise they wouldn't have bothered to fly him in from the remote NT to play in their reserves team last season...

At any rate, our recruiting staff clearly rate him very highly and that's all that matters...

Prendergast thinks he would've gone in the National Draft had he been eligible so i'm happy with that.

A Collingwood coterie group (the Industrial Magpies, IIRC) sponsored Liam to come down and play VFL footy. Rupert Betheras alerted the club to Liam's ability. Personally, I hope he does well.

If a club is gonna take a punt on a player, then Liam is a likely candidate IMO. He might not make it; he might not adjust to living in a big city; he might not take to the AFL and being a professional footballer etc.

But the best-case scenario with him if he does is tantalising.

 

[Colin Grigson]

A Collingwood coterie group (the Industrial Magpies, IIRC) sponsored Liam to come down and play VFL footy. Rupert Betheras alerted the club to Liam's ability. Personally, I hope he does well.

If a club is gonna take a punt on a player, then Liam is a likely candidate IMO. He might not make it; he might not adjust to living in a big city; he might not take to the AFL and being a professional footballer etc.

But the best-case scenario with him if he does is tantalising.

Well i'd respect Rupert Betheras's opinion, as in addition to being a solid footballer, he has a great name

As to whether he'll adjust or not, that could be said for any footballer moving interstate, or any player adjusting to AFL footy. I wouldn't criticize a kid who maybe gave up a chance at AFL footy to look after a dying friend. Shows he's got some character IMO.

We've just picked a couple of aboriginal boys from Bunbury, and we already have Whelan, Davey & Wonaemerri, so he'll be looked after for sure.

I like the fact that we've drafted kids despite the costs and other issues associated with relocation. He may or may not turn out to be a great player, but at least we're casting a wide net and trying to bring in the best available talent...

 

[3MELBOURNE6]

Here's a couple pics of Jurrah playing for Collingwood.

 

[Palmer Stoat]

As to whether he'll adjust or not, that could be said for any footballer moving interstate, or any player adjusting to AFL footy. I wouldn't criticize a kid who maybe gave up a chance at AFL footy to look after a dying friend. Shows he's got some character IMO.

For sure. But I think it's a steeper hill for Liam to climb than most others. For example, according to Japaljirri (Geelong poster), who I'm pretty sure knows Liam personally, English is his fourth language. Living in Melbourne would be a bigger culture shock for Liam than for most -- even most Aboriginal players, I expect. That's not to say he won't adjust or won't make it, just that it'll be a bigger challenge for him than most.

And I wasn't criticising Liam for returning to Central Australia. Not in the slightest.

As long as it's not against Collingwood, I hope he does well.

 

[3MELBOURNE6]

Road trip sealed the deal for top pick

By Matt Burgan 5:17 PM Tue 16 December, 2008


MELBOURNE national recruiting manager Barry Prendergast says No.1 NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft pick Liam Jurrah had emerged as a genuine target for AFL clubs in December, after he failed to nominate for last month's NAB AFL Draft.

Jurrah, who received special consideration from the AFL to be available for selection in the Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts, was also looked at closely by Richmond and North Melbourne.

It is understood Jurrah was in the mix for Richmond's No.6 selection had the Tigers not decided to select West Coast great Ben Cousins.

Still, Prendergast was not prepared to let Jurrah slip through to the Rookie Draft. At worst, he didn't think the indigenous talent would last slip past pick No.9 (North Melbourne).

"We thought: 'What if Richmond took him?' He also did two days training at North Melbourne [last week], so you just never know" he told melbournefc.com.au.

"We're really excited to get him in. He's got some absolutely outstanding athletic ability. He's a good kick, he's quick and he can mark it. He's 193cm and can really jump. He's got some freakish indigenous athleticism."

Jurrah, a tall forward, from Yuendumu (almost 300km north-west of Alice Springs) plays mostly in the Central Australia Football League but also played four matches with Collingwood in the VFL this year.

Last Sunday, he kicked five goals for Nightcliff in the Northern Territory Football League as Prendergast watched on. The NTFL is played in the summer months.

"I flew to Sydney on Saturday night in the [Melbourne] storms, then to Darwin and then via Adelaide yesterday, so it was not the trip I wanted at the end of a heavy [recruiting] campaign," Prendergast said with a laugh.

Prendergast was also pleased to claim midfielders Jordie McKenzie (Geelong Falcons) and Rhys Healey (Bendigo Pioneers) in the rookie draft.

He praised McKenzie's ability to come back from hip surgery which forced him out of the game in 2007.

"You know he's a kid who is going to get the best out of himself. The hardship he's gone through to come back from those operations are a testament to his attitude to play the game," Prendergast said.

"He's run with the likes of Mitch Banner, Nick Suban, Luke Shuey and even Jack Watts, when he went into the midfield."

Prendergast said Healey was a proven big-game performer having been best-on-ground in Eaglehawk's grand final two years ago.

"And he's played some outstanding footy for the Bendigo Pioneers this year," he said.

"He has elite endurance, is good overhead and is a goalkicking midfielder. He's also a powerful tackler."

Prendergast said Daniel Hughes had been drafted back onto Melbourne's rookie list – he was previously on it in 2006-07 – after injury sidelined him in 2008.

"Danny was part of our rookie list, but he's got himself right after some hip operations and he's been doing the pre-season. He has a bit of X-factor about him, he said.

Prendergast said Melbourne had targeted specific types of players in this year's drafting period.

"Most of our blokes that we've drafted have performed in big games, when they have performed under the pump. That was a key component of what we've got into the club," he said.

"We hope that brings a hard culture into the footy club."

 

[lose]

really happy with this selection, saw him play for nightcliffe the other week and he was absolutely dominating... great set of hands, good leap and good kick...

 

[eliasd82]

The Dees will make a play at the Dreamtime game now.... I love it!

In the words of Dave Chappell "Ooh darkness brothers.. the darkness is here!!!!"

 

[SteeleAt11]

Thoughts???

I can't believe you stole him after we developed him

 

[3MELBOURNE6]

I can't believe you stole him after we developed him

You mean after he played a few games in your VFL team....

 

[Clean Heels]

Few posters have mentioned the indigineous injection this yr, Im wrapped
about this, its something that we have been missing - pace and class
through the midfield, around the wings and in the forward line..

Aaron Davey has done well - and Aussie in recent times, but these players
that we have drafted appear more along the type of Davey - but maybe
even sneak a KP in there somewhere, at least we are having a crack
at something different..

Club seems hell bent on picking players who can kick, its the only reason
I can think as to why we didnt pick Sibasado today..

 

[Benji n Dino]

This Kid Can Be Anything!!!

I Had the priveledge of training with and getting to know this young man for 4 months earlier this year and seeing what he is capable of doing is just absolutely magnificent to watch - Huge leap...kick a goal from anywhere especially the boundary and is a natural talent
Doesnt have much too say but lets his football talent do the talking
Demons supporters keep ur eye on Liam Jurrah cos he could be and i hope he does become a Superstar

 

[stabler]

Re: This Kid Can Be Anything!!!

Lets hope so.

You reckon he will have much of an impact in '09?

 

[Jef Costello]

I can't believe you stole him after we developed him

Yuendumu Magpies Football Club in the Northern Territory developed him . First genuine remote community player from Central Australia to make the AFL.

 

[nutcase5]

highlights of Jurrah
http://bigpondvideo.com/afl/96433

 

[TelkoTheGreat]

Re: This Kid Can Be Anything!!!

hope so, can't wait to see him play

 

[Dave The Man]

highlights of Jurrah
http://bigpondvideo.com/afl/96433

Youtube Version:

[YOUTUBE]j6lIbKl2kSM[/YOUTUBE]

 

[RPetterd15]

6 aboriginal boys now
Whelan, Davey, Wonna, Bennell, Jetta, Jurrah
and we would have had 7 if Al.Davey came over. It was that close but he decided that the dons hadn't done anything wrong so he would stay with them.

 

[Colin Grigson]

Few posters have mentioned the indigineous injection this yr, Im wrapped
about this, its something that we have been missing - pace and class
through the midfield, around the wings and in the forward line..

I think we've been like a one-paced racehorse in recent years. We really needed to inject some pace and flair into the senior playing list, and with Wona, Bennell, Jetta, & Jurrah now on the senior list, i think we've gone a long way to addressing that weakness (also Blease & Strauss will contribute greatly in this regard...)

 

[RandB]

Going by the bigpond footage of him he is a very accurate and settled kick at goal. I noticed that even in fast play and from the boundary line his preference is to kick straight instead of going with a snap. In the pace of AFL I think he will find himself needing to opt for snaps a bit more in general play but his accuracy is going to be telling from set shots. If he can make space for himself (like in the footage) which seems to be his preference then at least we have a good finisher on our hands, who is intent on nailing the goal rather than looking for the unnecesssary snap - the only thing is that he won't always have the time for this so hopefully he is quick/accurate on the snap as well when it is required.

 

[Jef Costello]

Go Dees!

Terrific young man who will do your club, Yuendumu community and his Warlpiri tribe proud.

Capable of anything on the football field especially once he builds his tank.

p.s. my avatar on the left is Liam in some desert action.

 

[Beard of Nicko]

What a great result for the Dees. We'll wait and see but if he realises his potential we are all in for a real treat. A huge achievement for the mighty Yuendumu Magpies to have their first AFL player!

 

[Pjkimber]

Im creaming my jeans right now...cant wait to see Jurrah and Watts kicking us massive bags in years to come!

 

[wiesel_99]

good to see that melbourne have finially got rid of the white melbourne policy, lol.

finally we will have some pace in the team

 

[Jonesy2]

Looks a real exciting prospect from that Vision on Big pond. Classic Kicking action and moves very well. Looks to have enough height and presence to play KP.

With all our selections we have added some real excitment to our list. You can only go of the footage that is posted on big pond ect but they are seem very exciting prospects. Pace and skill.

Go dees!!!

 

[Clint Bizkit]

good to see that melbourne have finially got rid of the white melbourne policy, lol.

Since when was this the case?