Banned ex-Collingwood defender Sam Murray signs with VFL club Williamstown for 2020
Sam Murray is still serving his suspension for testing positive to cocaine on match-day but after missing out on an AFL chance, he’s locked in his new footy home for 2020 following his Collingwood axing.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Banned ex-Collingwood defender Sam Murray will play for Williamstown in the VFL next year.
Murray, who is still serving a suspension for testing positive to cocaine on match day, had been hopeful of restarting his AFL career in 2020 after employing a personal trainer to get himself fit for pre-season.
The 22-year-old met with three clubs — Richmond, Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney — in the lead-up to the national and rookie drafts but was not selected.
The former Magpie and Swan can start training with his new club from December 18, while he will be eligible to play in Round 1 of the VFL season.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
Murray and his brother, Nick, have both signed with the Seagulls who lost to Richmond in the Grand Final this year.
“Sam will bring great run out of defence. He’s a daring, courageous defender in a similar nature Brayden Monk, which has us really excited about our defensive side of our game,” Williamstown football boss Stephen Soulsby said.
In an exclusive interview with the Herald Sun and his first since testing positive to cocaine, Murray said the drug ban has transformed his outlook on life and football.
Signing with Williamstown is another step towards earning another crack at carving out an AFL career.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily changed me (as a person) but it’s been able to deepen where I see myself,” Murray said.
MORE NEWS:
Josh Deluca reveals frustration at being delisted by Carlton after less than six months at the club
Mark Robinson ranks his top 50 AFL players of the decade
“You can get lost in the football side of things and maybe become a distant version of yourself but this has allowed me to really understand what I believe and what I want as a person.
“What this period off has allowed me to do is understand what makes me happy and what I want to do in life and I’ve pursued that and it’s made me a much happier person now. There could be one thousand things that come out of it, so I just take every day as it is.
“It’s a humbling experience. I understand where I sit now.
“I want to play footy but I just want to be happy and that’s the most important thing. Me being happy is me playing footy.”
READ OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SAM MURRAY HERE
Originally published as Banned ex-Collingwood defender Sam Murray signs with VFL club Williamstown for 2020
AFL legend’s sad Brownlow revelation
Footy great Ian Stewart says he wants his three Brownlow medals back after they were located on the other side of the world
Freo track watch: Pearce injures ankle, All Stars hopes in air
Fremantle captain Alex Pearce was forced off the park on Saturday, with the Indigenous All Stars match just two weeks away. ELIZA REILLY has details and more in track watch.