Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy cleared to return after grand final concussion
Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy has been cleared to resume his career by the AFL's concussion panel.
Murphy, who turned 24 last week, had suffered multiple concussions in his career, including an accidental collision with Brisbane's Lincoln McCarthy in the first quarter of September's decider, which the Magpies won.
Murphy ruled himself out of the grand final despite being medically cleared to return.
READ MORE: How Luai success hinges on Tigers teammate
READ MORE: Why CA banned Johnson from speaking at Perth Test
READ MORE: Bomber to 'keep pushing' over ground commitment
It's believed Murphy's family and friends expressed concern about whether he should continue playing football.
Murphy leaves the ground during the 2023 AFL grand final after copping a brutal head knock AFL Photos via Getty Images
Murphy and the Magpies had requested the defender be subjected to an assessment by the AFL's medical concussion panel, which has since ruled he is fit enough to return.
Murphy's parents and the club doctor all appeared before the Collingwood board last week.
"Nathan's health and wellbeing remains our absolute priority," said Collingwood football boss Graham Wright in a statement on Wednesday.
AFL grand final 2023 in pictures: Lions star Charlie Cameron lit up the MCG, but was overshadowed by Bobby Hill
AFL grand final 2023 in pictures: Lions star Charlie Cameron lit up the MCG, but was overshadowed by Bobby Hill
"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.
"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.
"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."
