Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah has quit the AFL club.
Jurrah, due to face trial in Alice Springs in March over an alleged machete attack, moved to Adelaide in August to be with family.
But while the Demons were hopeful he would return and play for them next season, Jurrah’s manager now says the forward wants to remain in South Australia and hopes to join an Adelaide AFL club.
“Liam has decided he needs to be close to his family,” Jurrah’s manager Ned Guy told The Age website.
“At this point in time family is number one for Liam and they are based in Adelaide. We know things can change over time.
“Does he want to continue playing football?
“Yes he does. He is still very passionate about footy because he loves the game and he understands it can make a difference to his people and culture.
“But at the moment his happiness and well-being are the more important thing and for that he needs to be in Adelaide.”
Guy said Jurrah understood that his decision meant he might not be picked up by Adelaide or Port Adelaide, which would mean an end to his AFL career.
The 23-year-old is facing three charges of aggravated assault and one count of unlawfully causing serious harm.