Ex-Demon star Jurrah misses AFL

Jul 19, 2017 - 6:49 AM Former Melbourne Demons high-flyer Liam Jurrah admits he regrets ending his AFL career when he did.

The 28-year-old quit the AFL in 2012 but set the game alight during his four years, managing a stunning return of 81 goals from just 36 games.

The first indigenous player from a remote community in central Australia to play in the AFL, Jurrah returned home and his life temporarily went off the rails resulting in a jail stint in 2015.

Jurrah returned to Melbourne to help the Demons launch their Reconcilation Action Plan alongside both current and former indigenous players including Neville Jetta, Aaron Davey and Austin Wonaeamirri.

"It's good to be back in Melbourne and to catch up with old teammates," Jurrah said.

"I'm travelling alright at the moment being back at home with my family is the main thing."

But he said he missed being a part of the AFL world.

"Yes I do miss it - it's the number one thing in our communities, footy's the main thing that makes us happy," he said.

Asked if he wished his career had lasted longer than it did Jurrah said "yes" but admitted it wasn't realistic to return.

"It's going to take a long way back; playing footy back home is different to where I was before when I was down here playing," he said.

Jurrah is back playing football in the Central Australian Football League and has been starring for South in Alice Springs.

"It means a lot to me to still be playing," Jurrah said.

Source: AAP