Melbourne midfielder Dom Barry has turned his back on an AFL career, deciding instead to return to central Australia.

The Herald Sun reports that Barry told the Demons on the first day of pre-season training that his heart was no longer in an AFL career.

The 20-year-old indigenous player wants to return to his Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara – or APY – home.

Barry made his senior debut this season and played five games.

He signed a two-year contract with the Demons in July.

Barry came to Victoria at the age of 14 on a tennis scholarship, but flourished as a footballer at the St Pat’s Ballarat school.

Melbourne recruited him with the same deal that sent Jesse Hogan to the Demons.

While indigenous players have enjoyed massive success in the AFL, Barry is far from the first to turn his back on the option.

Liam Jurrah and Austin Wonaeamirri are other highly-rated indigenous players who have left the Demons to go home.