Dom Barry quits AFL, leaves Melbourne to return home

THE AFL’s indigenous boss says clubs aren’t giving up on indigenous talent despite Dom Barry quitting Melbourne.

AFL Round 20 Hawthorn v Melbourne at the MCG. Dom Barry clears by hand . Pic: Michael Klein. Saturday August 9, 2014.

THE AFL’s indigenous boss says clubs aren’t giving up on indigenous talent despite Melbourne footballer Dom Barry quitting football.

As revealed by the Herald Sun on Tuesday, Barry came back to pre-season training and told the club he was returning to his home in the APY Lands near Alice Springs.

The AFL said it would consider Melbourne’s official submission for him to return to the club under “exceptional and compelling circumstances” should he recommit.

But he is believed to be cutting all ties with football, sacrificing hundreds of thousands of dollars after signing a two-year deal in July.

It is the third Melbourne indigenous player to return home in recent years after Liam Jurrah and Austin Wonaeamirri decided AFL life was not for them.

Hawthorn’s Dayle Garlett could not cope with the AFL’s lifestyle while Fremantle first-round draft pick Josh Simpson was recently delisted for similar reasons.

But AFL Head of Diversity Jason Mifsud said despite the challenges clubs were still as excited about recruiting indigenous talent and supporting them more effectively.

“I don’t think it’s any secure that custom and culture are a significant drain on indigenous players but if you go on the statistics instead of perception and emotion there were a record amount of indigenous players drafter last year — 17.

“The industry has a significant appetite for players coming through the indigenous pathway and early indicators are there could be five in this year’s top 20 (in the national draft).”

“Clubs are acutely aware they need to build their own cultural capabilities but we have never been more confident in regards to the capacity of indigenous players to come into the system.”

Indigenous players fill up 9.5 per cent of AFL lists despite the Australian population having only 2.5 per cent of indigenous people.

Melbourne on-baller Michael Evans is also considering his future, with the Demons intent on dropping him to the rookie list today.

He is contracted but there is a chance he could retire rather than accept the club’s offer of a rookie-list spot.

The Demons want to take more national draft picks and have told him with Jack Trengove on the long-term injury list he would play seniors if selected.

Melbourne said yesterday it was understanding of Barry’s position.

Barry had moved from Alice Springs to Melbourne at 14 and then finished schooling at St Patrick’s College, and was secured in a deal that also acquired young forward Jesse Hogan.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision for Dom — right now his heart is not with playing AFL. He will take a period of time to consider his options with a focus on indigenous culture and welfare programs in the future — an area he is truly passionate about,’’ footy boss Josh Mahoney said.

“The Melbourne Football Club will be working with Dom and will be making a submission to the AFL under the exceptional and compelling circumstances. This would, if approved, allow the opportunity for Dom to re-engage with the Melbourne Football Club, should Dom rekindle his passion for AFL.

Originally published as Dom Barry quits AFL, leaves Melbourne to return home