Sam Murray desperate to restart his AFL career at a second club after his 18-month drug ban expires

Sam Murray is desperate to kickstart his stalled AFL career next season with a third club after his 18-month drug expires, and is willing to train over summer to prove his worth.

Sam Murray is intent on restarting his AFL career at a second club. Picture: Michael Klein

Sam Murray is determined to reignite his AFL career after a drug ban and would be prepared to train with a club over summer to prove his character and football ability.

The former Sydney half back, suspended for 18 months for a cocaine positive, has been aware all season that the Pies would not keep him on their list after this year.

Coach Nathan Buckley would not confirm Collingwood’s list decision on Wednesday but Murray is aware his career at Collingwood is over.

Able to play from Round 1 next year, he is eligible to train with an AFL club from December 17 and could prove himself through January and February before a club committed to him.

The Herald Sun understands he was able to prove significant mitigating circumstances that are believed to have included minuscule amounts of cocaine in his system, possibly from the previous weekend.

Sam Murray is intent on restarting his AFL career at a second club. Picture: Michael Klein

But he continued training away from the club with former Sydney midfield star Daryn Cresswell, coaching at the Wangaratta Rovers this year.

Murray played 13 of a possible 21 games after being traded from Sydney for a deal including a second-round pick before being provisionally suspended by ASADA.

He is in excellent shape after training through the season, often travelling back to Wangaratta to stay with his parents and train with Cresswell.

The 22-year-old has pace and power off half back and while his disposal was at times less than precise he was still in Collingwood’s senior side when he was suspended.

If he fails to win a rookie-list spot or find a club to train with over summer he has plans to play VFL next year then win back an AFL spot somewhere for the 2021 season.

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Club doctors had been warned that under more stringent ASADA tests trace elements of cocaine could be detected in match-day tests.

Murray was at one stage facing a four-year ban but his legal representation, Melbourne barrister Ben Ihle, was successful in having the penalty reduced by less than half.

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ASADA had 21 days to appeal the ban but would have had to do so by Monday this week.

Murray made clear after he accepted his ban he was keen to recommence his football career.

“I want to thank my family and friends, management, Collingwood Football Club, legal team and the AFLPA for their continued support,” he said.

Sam Murray gathers possession during a game for Collingwood last year. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.

“During the past 12 months I have been able to reflect on what is important to me. I’m more committed than ever before to continue my AFL career and can now focus on doing everything in my power to keep that dream alive.”