A conversation about Liam Jarrah

[Presti35]

Liam Jarrah we committed to in the rookie draft Melbourne grabbed him

Another time where Melbourne just copies another clubs work. He was ours, then they take him with pick 1 in the PSD (Same year where Ben Cousins got to Richmond). And then he goes to a club that has absolutely no idea how to work with and develop their players. 36 games they got from him.

Did we know the Dees had him circled? We had pick 11 in the RD and took Tristan Francis (Liam Picken went #30 and Luke Bruest #47 ). How different Jarrahs career could have been on Collingwoods list from 2009-12 and possibly longer (He kicked 40 goals in 2011). I know he had some off-field troubles and many thought we dodged a bullet, but who knows what could have been in a Collingwood jumper?

I guess I'm the only one who knows the true story of the Liam Jurrah story, as I was the one who introduced him to Collingwood and brought him down from Yuendumu to live with me and my family. Sadly, the truth is that Collingwood at the time did not have the skill set within their footy department or the vision to necessary to draft Liam. Our record and reputation of developing Indigenous players back then was poor. At one stage I personally had a heated argument with the footy department when it was clear Liam would be drafted by Melbourne. Collingwood had been given the inside running to draft Liam, but all they could see were the difficulties, not the possibilities, of recruiting such a prodigious talent. As for Liam, he had left his desert community to play for his beloved Magpies, but ended up at the Dees, a divided and completely dysfunctional club. That was never going to be a good environment for Liam. Despite this, he had a couple of great years in the AFL, nominated for the rising star, winning 'Mark of the Year' and kicking the fastest first 50 goals for about 30 yrs. Not a bad return for a desert footballer, with no professional training background.

[Presti35]

I remember being at the game where he played for the VFL.

I remember the talk about his possible arrival to the AFL team. Then Melbourne swooped. And I remember feeling really annoyed that they took him from under our nose.

You cant think how different things could have been. I know there was some off-field trouble. And I know our club wasn't as strong then as it is now with its connection to the indigenous community (with still A LOT of work to do).

So I guess we'll never really know. But he could have been a part of the premiership in 2010 and helped to make a difference in 2011. He would have had Malthouse as coach and been at a winning club. He could have been anything.

Other indigenous players on the list at that time: Leon, Cox, Dick, Wellingham, Corrie, with Krak joining in 2011. (All from WA I believe?).

I really wish he didnt go to Melbourne who were (and still to this day) try to copy and be like Collingwood.