Port passes but gives Liam lifeline

Liam Jarrah arrives at the Port Adelaide Football Club for a trial training run. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

FORMER Port Adelaide and Essendon star Che Cockatoo-Collins has called for the Power to commit to drafting Liam Jurrah next year if he fulfils his part of the bargain after the club decided to pass on taking Jurrah in today's pre-season and rookie drafts.

Cockatoo-Collins said he understood Port's decision, with new coach Ken Hinkley and the board taking into account reaction from sponsors and members.

But he called on the club to give Jurrah a clear path to returning to the AFL.

"Liam's given his commitment," Cockatoo-Collins said.

"He's been to all of the training sessions, done everything that's been asked of him and presented in a good shape  ... they now need to show a commitment to him if he does everything that's asked of him.

"It would give Liam a clear line of sight.

"They've done it with players before, like (former Fitzroy player Stephen) Paxman."

Cockatoo-Collins' call comes as some of the game's most respected indigenous voices remain hopeful Jurrah can return to the game.

Jurrah, 24, was invited to train with the club over summer after quitting Melbourne last year and has already forged some bonds with players at Alberton but Port felt that it was neither in its, nor Jurrah's, interest to rush a return.

Not only does he have a court case hanging over his head over aggravated assault charges that will be decided in the Northern Territory in March, there are also some concerns over his fitness because of lingering injuries.

But the club has vowed to do what it can to help Jurrah, who wants to live in Adelaide where he's close to family, to return to the AFL.

Cockatoo-Collins, who alongside Michael Long was a flag bearer for indigenous players in the 1990s, said he would be shattered if the game gave up on Jurrah.

"The main thing is for people to become better educated to understand what he's going through," Cockatoo-Collins said.

"It's taken him a long time to get where he is and he's travelled a road that's been a lot harder than other (indigenous) players.

"Treating everybody the same is not the same as equality."

Port Adelaide's assistance measures include:

RECRUITING Jurrah to the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL next season.

WORKING with the AFL and the AFL players' union to help him with his court case.

OFFERING a paid job with Power Community Ltd in community development and

HELPING Jurrah in his rehabilitation from injury.

Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde said the Power would do what it could for Jurrah to get back to AFL football - even if he did not eventually land at Alberton.

"We believe these measures will enable Liam to have the best possible opportunity to find his way back into the AFL system in great physical condition, with proven form at SANFL level and with those non-football matters fully dealt with," Rohde said.

"All going well, that could be through any club in the AFL but we would love it to be with Port Adelaide if everything works out."

AFL community engagement manager Jason Mifsud applauded Port for its efforts.

It wasn't lost how Jurrah had taken a different path from most indigenous players, having come from the red centre with English as a second language.

"Liam Jurrah has the talent to play at AFL level, as he has shown already in his career, and can also be a strong example for many players from remote communities that it is possible to play at the highest level, no matter what part of Australia you hail from," Mifsud said.

"Liam is dealing with very serious off-field issues and these matters need to be resolved as the key priority in his life. He has expressed the desire to return to play at AFL level and we are appreciative of Port Adelaide's moves to support him."

Kurt Tippett's arrival at Sydney will be one of the few highlights of a pre-season draft where many clubs will pass on the 17 total picks.

A handful of Melbourne clubs are expected to pass on pre-season picks today and instead secure players on expanded rookie lists.

Richmond (pick 5), Carlton (pick 7) and Collingwood (picks 11, 16) will instead take rookie selections.

Clubs must contract players for two years in the pre-season draft, but can take them on one-year deals as rookies.

Carlton will rookie-list Andrew Collins, leaving space to elevate rookies Tom Bell and Ed Curnow in March. The Blues had asked ex-Essendon midfielder Kyle Reimers to train with them, but he instead returned home to play in the WAFL.

Richmond will rookie-list former Geelong ruckman Orren Stephenson, while the Dogs seem to be favouring Brent Prismall over Adam Goodes's brother Brett.

Collingwood has already foreshadowed its determination to pass on its pre-season picks and take several untried juniors, alongside journeyman ruckman Ben Hudson and delisted defender Peter Yagmoor.

West Coast could make the shock selection of former ruckman Mark Seaby as ruck back-up.

Essendon looks set to overlook Dayle Garlett, feeling he has not convinced them of his training standards in the week he has spent at the club.

- with Jon Ralph
 

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