Collingwood’s Nathan Murphy cleared by AFL concussion panel to continue playing

After a 10th concussion in the AFL grand final, a Collingwood star’s assessment has come back with the best news possible.

Nathan Murphy (left) is clear to resume his career. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Collingwood premiership hero Nathan Murphy has been cleared to resume his playing career by the AFL’s concussion panel after a blow during the grand final cast a cloud over his future.

Murphy, a key pillar in the Magpies’ defence, was concussed early in the grand final and watched on from the sidelines as his teammates seized a thrilling win over the Brisbane Lions.

The club had asked that the 24-year-old, who has suffered 10 concussions in his career, be subjected to an assessment by the AFL’s medical concussion panel.

That assessment has come back with a favourable result for Murphy, who had been taking part in pre-season training without any contact, freeing him up to resume normal duties.

Collingwood football boss Graham Wright confirmed the positive news for Murphy, his family and the club

“Nathan suffered a concussion late in the first quarter of the grand final and following this incident – combined with his medical history – the club together with Nathan and his family engaged with concussion specialists and the AFL’s medical concussion panel to assess a return to play,” Wright said.

“At the conclusion of this process, the AFL’s medical concussion panel determined that Nathan was able to return to playing football in the elite AFL competition.

Nathan Murphy was concussed in the grand final. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“The club doctor, Nathan and his parents appeared before the Collingwood Football Club board last week and the board – on the basis of the recommendation of the AFL medical concussion panel, recommendation of the club doctor and awareness and acceptance of risk associated with future concussions confirmed by Nathan and his parents – agreed on those bases that Nathan should be able to continue his career as a player at Collingwood.

“The health and welfare of all athletes at Collingwood remains paramount and any incidence of concussion will continue to be managed appropriately and in line with the AFL’s current concussion guidelines.”

Several AFL players have been forced into early retirement as a result of assessments by the panel, including Sydney’s Paddy McCartin, who had repeated concussions in his career at St Kilda and then the Swans.

This year the panel, made up of concussion experts, recommended he stop playing due to reduce his prospects of brain trauma.

Originally published as Collingwood’s Nathan Murphy cleared by AFL concussion panel to continue playing