Melbourne coach Mark Neeld says Liam Jurrah’s upcoming committal hearing won’t be a distraction for the AFL club.
Jurrah, who has been charged with unlawfully causing serious harm and being armed with an offensive weapon following an alleged machete attack earlier this year, will appear in the Alice Springs Magistrate Court on Monday to determine whether the case continues to the Supreme Court for trial.
The committal hearing is expected to last for three days.
Neeld said Jurrah had the club’s full support, and the case wouldn’t distract the Demons as they attempt to add some spark to what has been a horror year.
“We’re fully aware of what Liam’s going through at the moment,” Neeld told reporters in Darwin after Saturday night’s 28-point loss to Port Adelaide, which left Melbourne with a 2-14 win-loss record.
“We’ve got certain people within our footy club that are well educated in that area and are offering Liam all the support we can possibly give him.
“We get briefed every now and then.”
Jurrah, who has been sidelined since round eight with an ankle injury, is expected to resume in the VFL in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide midfielder Travis Boak is rumoured to be on the verge of re-signing with that club after reportedly informing teammates he will stay.
Boak was being hotly pursued by both Geelong and North Melbourne in what was fast becoming a messy three-way battle for his signature.
But former Power skipper Warren Tredrea claims the 23-year-old will re-sign with the Power on a two-year deal worth more than $1 million.
Boak put the contract saga to one side on Saturday night to play a starring role in the win over Melbourne.
The star on-baller tallied 28 possessions and a goal in the 12.12 (84) to 8.8 (56) triumph at TIO Stadium in Darwin, with returning skipper Domenic Cassisi (30 possessions) and forward Paul Stewart (five goals) also playing match-winning roles.
Port Adelaide’s fifth win of the year snapped a five-game losing run, but young defender Jasper Pittard wasn’t around to celebrate after being taken to hospital with suspected broken ribs and bleeding in his lungs.
Pittard, who was playing his first game of the year after finally overcoming a series of hamstring issues, copped a knee to the ribs from teammate Chad Wingard in a mid-air collision as the pair attempted to spoil a mark.
Power coach Matthew Primus described Pittard’s act as “super courageous”.
“We’ll probably miss him for a couple of weeks but the courage to keep his eye on the ball was terrific for his first game back in,” Primus said.
“Hopefully it’s not the season for him and we can get him back out there towards the end of the year.”
Melbourne forward Jeremy Howe took another mark-of-the-year contender, using Demons ruckman Stefan Martin as a step-ladder to pull in a stunning skyscraper.
