Former Essendon player’s concern: Jabs harmed my daughter

FORMER Essendon star Nathan Lovett-Murray fears the drugs he was given during the club’s injections program have caused his child health problems. The AFL has now responded.

Nathan Lovett-Murray fears the supplement program has impacted upon his daughter Harmony.

FORMER Essendon star Nathan Lovett-Murray says he fears the drugs he was given during the club’s injections program have caused his daughter’s health problems.

The family says Harmony, 3, who was conceived about a year after the Bombers’ disastrous 2012 supplements regimen was stopped, is suffering from a mystery chest growth and behavioural problems.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that the injection program we were put through has had some impact on my daughter,” Lovett-Murray, 34, said.

“It’s something I think about every day.”

The Herald Sun can reveal Lovett-­Murray, one of 34 Bombers banned for two years for doping, is preparing a $1 million Supreme Court damages claim against the club after compensation negotiations ­collapsed.

Lovett-Murray will allege the saga caused him severe stress, anxiety and depression.

He is claiming he experienced pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and financial loss as a result of negligence, a breach of statutory duty, and misleading and deceptive conduct.

The former defender will claim that the stigma of being labelled a “drug cheat” has caused worry for him and his extended family.

Nathan Lovett-Murray and daughter Harmony.

He believes his standing in the indigenous community has also been permanently damaged.

Lovett-Murray says he has been advised that any legal action regarding his daughter must be made separately.

He and his former partner, Renee Sweetman, told of fears for Harmony.

“What were we taking — we’re still unsure what we were being given — and how is that going to affect my health and also my children’s health?” Lovett-Murray said.

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“There have been health concerns (with Harmony) and we have seen some specialists.

“There are some behavioural things that we are concerned about, and there was a hole in her chest that was leaking mucus, and we still don’t know what it is. They’ve got to do more tests, but those tests cost more money,” he said.

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan said the league will offer Nathan Lovett-Murray any support it can.

McLachlan said on Friday the league has been in contact with Lovett-Murray’s management throughout the saga and that the health of his child is paramount.

“Over the course of the long period of time, he’s certainly been spoken to - his management – yes,” McLachlan said.

“The AFL and the Essendon footy club will do everything we can to help Nathan and his family in what is clearly a very tough period.

Former Essendon footballer Nathan Lovett Murray and ex partner Renee Sweetman.

“In the broader sense (of what support we can provide), Nathan’s management is still negotiating with Essendon and I think he’s one of the last couple of people to not finalise their compensation claim. I’m sure that will get done. If there’s broader support or medical support we can provide we’ll do whatever we can.”

Lovett-Murray said he had spoken to the club.

“They have pretty much just said: ‘Go to a specialist and come back to us’,” he said.

The club said: “After Nathan’s management raised concerns with regard to this matter (Harmony’s health) in the first half of 2016, the club offered its support on various occasions. The club has not heard anything further from Nathan or his management on this matter for almost a year now, but remains committed to supporting him in any way possible.

“Nathan’s claim is being dealt with in an identical framework and process to that of the other 33 players … the club has now settled 31 of these claims and is making every attempt to bring all claims to a conclusion in a timely and appropriate manner.”

The club’s latest settlement offer, last month, was rejected.

Lovett-Murray in his playing days with Essendon.

McLachlan admitted that not knowing what players were administered “has always been one of the most challenging aspects of this”.

“Clearly I think that’s been implicit in this is the uncertainty of not knowing what the players got,” he said on 3AW.

“That’s always been one of the most challenging aspects of this.”

He conceded that Lovett-Murray “has some unique cultural responsibilties”.

“We’ve been talking to his management,” McLachlan.

“The right area of focus … is to make sure that Nathan’s child is OK. That’s the priority and the focus here.”

Ms Sweetman told the Herald Sun: “She (Harmony) was almost 1 when she got a really large lump on her chest. It was there for about six months and we took her to the hospital and to different doctors, and they couldn’t find what the problem was. But my major concern is her behaviour. Her behaviour has never been normal. I know something isn’t right.

“There’s also something else on her chest. It has mucus in it and it’s like a little hole … they don’t know what it is. It’s very terrifying.”

The 145-game veteran’s ban for using banned peptide Thymosin-beta 4 cost him a job as playing coach of Shepparton’s Rumbalara club. Essendon has covered a season’s lost wages.

“I’m extremely disappointed with the club after what they have put me through over the last four years,” Lovett-Murray said.

“I just feel like they are trying to screw me over — and not just myself, but my family. They’re a big business and there is a bit of arrogance about them. But I spent 10 years at that club and have been put through hell.

“To be treated like this, as a life member ... they’ve tarnished my name and my family’s name. (It’s) tarnished my name in the Aboriginal community, and I’ve worked hard in building that through community work.”

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