The AFL’s concussion panel has cleared Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy to resume his playing career.
Murphy was concussed in the opening quarter of Collingwood’s grand final win this year, with he and the club pushing for an assessment from the AFL’s medical concussion panel.
The Pies confirmed on Wednesday that Murphy had been cleared to return to playing.
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Murphy has suffered 10 concussions throughout his career, including when he was struck by Anthony Caminiti during a match in April.
The 24-year-old played 24 out of a possible 26 games for the Pies in 2023 and has played 57 matches since making his AFL debut in 2018.
This season saw multiple players retire amid battles with concussion, including former number one draft pick Paddy McCartin.
“Nathan’s health and wellbeing remains our absolute priority,” Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said in a statement.
“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 expert concussion medical panel convened by the AFL to assess a return to play.
“At the conclusion of this process, the expert concussion medical panel convened by the AFL determined that Nathan was able to return to playing football in the elite AFL competition.
“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.”
