Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah is in police custody after the AFL player was allegedly involved in a machete attack in the Northern Territory.

Alice Springs police said two 23-year-old men were arrested following an incident on Wednesday night at the nearby Little Sisters Town Camp.

“Police were called around midnight to attend a disturbance … on arrival, police found a 35-year-old man with serious head injuries alleged to have been inflicted by a machete,” they said in a statement on Thursday.

“Two men aged 23 years are currently in police custody with investigations continuing.”

Melbourne confirmed Jurrah was in custody.

“We are not aware of any further information and, therefore, not in a position to make comment at this time,” the Demons said in a statement.

The club gave Jurrah personal leave earlier this week to return to central Australia because of family and community issues.

He is an initiated member of the Warlpiri people who live in Yuendumu, a community about 300km northwest of Alice Springs.

Jurrah is the first indigenous player from a remote central Australian community to play in the AFL.