Sam Murray hires same lawyer who defended Essendon’s players

SAM Murray has hired the same man who defended Essendon’s footballers and Collingwood pair Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas in his fight to reduce a potential four-year doping ban.

Sam Murray tested positive to cocaine in a match-day test. Picture: AAP

SAM Murray has hired the same man who defended Essendon’s footballers and Collingwood pair Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas in his fight to reduce a potential four-year doping ban.

Prominent Melbourne barrister Ben Ihle confirmed to the Herald Sun he had taken on the case of Collingwood 20-year-old Murray, who tested positive to cocaine in a Round 19 match-day test.

Ihle is considered one of the experts in his field, having also defended Fremantle’s Ryan Crowley, who received a 12-month ban after taking methadone to relieve back pain but testing positive.

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But legal experts have already warned Murray faces an uphill fight to reduce a maximum four-year ban, with Keeffe and Thomas eventually accepting what was then a maximum two-year ban for unwittingly taking clenbuterol.

“Yes, I am representing Sam with the assistance of the AFLPA and his management group,” Ihle said.

“I will see him in the next couple of days and obviously he needs people around him that can support him through this tough time. We will do our best to look at what his legal rights are.”

Sam Murray faces a four-year ban after testing positive to cocaine. Picture: AAP

Asked if it was possible for Murray to access any possible discounts from that maximum ban, Ihle replied: “I am not prepared to make any comment on that.”

Murray is believed to have taken cocaine mid-week before the Richmond clash - possibly as early as Tuesday that week.

But AFL players are not only required to listen to AFLPA drug education sessions, they also sign documents attesting to the fact they understand those ASADA guidelines.

It means even if he had reason to believe the drugs were out of his system by then, it is not a legal defence unless he can prove he did not mean to take them.

Sports lawyer Paul Horvath said on Sunday there was a real prospect of Murray serving a full four year ban.

“As a general comment I would say this kid is up against it. Whatever your sympathies are, my comment is not about sympathies, it’s about the law,’’ Horvath said.

“It is a harsh system and they are unapologetic about the system being harsh.

“It is pretty serious and makes it difficult to seek a reduction. Without knowing all the facts, in normal circumstances it is difficult to seek a reduction for taking a stimulant like cocaine on match day.”

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