AFL 2024: Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly backs in Nathan Murphy concussion decision

Collingwood boss Craig Kelly has stood behind Nathan Murphy continuing his AFL career but declined to give more information on how the call was made. Here’s why.

Tom Lynch and Tim Taranto launch Richmond and Collingwood Charity Shield game to raise money for Foodbank

Collingwood has backed in the decision for defender Nathan Murphy to continue his career as Magpies chief executive Craig Kelly said the call was made after a thorough process.

The premiership backman will play on this year after being cleared by an AFL concussion panel and after fronting the Collingwood board with his parents, a decision that was announced in December.

Murphy suffered his 10th concussion in the grand final win over the Brisbane Lions in September.

He has been training all through pre-season.

Nathan Murphy at training. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Kelly said any suggestion that the welfare of Murphy, and all Collingwood players, wasn’t the club’s priority was “just wrong”.

“The process of what Nathan went through with his family and with the coaches to make an informed decision to want to do the job he loves – everything has been done,” Kelly said on Tuesday.

“Does that change from day-to-day, week-to-week depending what happens? It does for every player.

“I am glad we have the opportunity today to say we care deeply for our people.”

Kelly didn’t elaborate on the details of how Murphy was cleared to play on, citing confidentiality about his medical history.

“All you need to know is the amazing doctors and people have worked with all of us to get an informed decision and we will not share any of it with you,” he said.

Brendon Gale and Craig Kelly at the launch of the Charity Shield game between Richmond and Collingwood on Tuesday.

The Magpies chief wouldn’t elaborate on what plans are in place if Murphy suffers further concussions but said that the club has “circumstances developed for every individual player to look after them”.

He said that one of his sons, Essendon defender Jake, had suffered “five or six” concussions in his career and “it was not much fun for him or Nathan or anyone who has” concussions.

Kelly said an announcement on how football boss Graham Wright’s duties would be split once he starts a sabbatical at the end of this month was imminent, with the likes of Brendon Bolton, Clare Pettyfor and Justin Leppitsch to take on more responsibilities.

Collingwood and Richmond on Tuesday launched their Charity Shield game, with their pre-season fixture on February 27 at Ikon Park to raise money for Foodbank.

Kelly said the clash was the brainchild of Richmond CEO Brendon Gale, as a way for the two power clubs to give back.

“Times are tough, cost of living pressures and quite simply people are struggling to put a meal on the table so we came up with this idea to shine a light on disadvantage and raise some money for such a worthy recipient such as Foodbank,” Gale said.

“It would be our intention maybe seeing how it goes, to take this further in years to come.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly backs in Nathan Murphy concussion decision