Collingwood believes premiership defender Nathan Murphy will be available to play in 2024 despite concerns around his football future due to a history of concussions.
It emerged last month Murphy may be forced to retire after suffering his 10th concussion across his junior and AFL career in the grand final win over Brisbane that forced the defender to be subbed out of the game.
The 23-year old’s fate was potentially set to be put in the hands of the AFL’s medical concussion panel, which earlier this year advised Patrick McCartin to retire after he suffered nine career concussions.
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It comes as the Magpies targeted free agent Tom Doedee this off-season, which club general manager of list manager Derek Hine said was in part due to the uncertainty around Murphy’s availability.
However speaking to media this week after the National Draft, Hine confirmed Murphy had been cleared to return to the field.
“He’s fine, that’s my understanding,” Hine said.
“That was certainly in the forefront of our decision-making going forward – and a little bit around the Doedee decisions – but he’s fine.”
Asked he if Murphy would categorically line up in the Magpies’ best 23 in 2024, Hine responded with a laugh: “I think he was in the top 22 this year”, before adding: “Yeah, absolutely.”
It comes after Collingwood footy boss Graham Wright told SEN last month said he didn’t think Murphy had lingering symptoms from his concussion and that the club was “really hopeful” he was feeling fine.
Murphy has played 57 AFL games since being drafted with Pick 39 in the 2017 National Draft, becoming an integral part of Craig McRae’s defence alongside the likes of Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe and Isaac Quaynor over the last two seasons.
