- Nathan Murphy has been cleared to resume his AFL career
- There were concerns amid a string of concussions
- But experts say he can continue playing for Collingwood
Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy has been cleared to resume his AFL career following an investigation by the league's concussion panel.
Murphy, 24, suffered his most recent concussion during the Magpies' grand final win over the Brisbane Lions in September.
Collingwood had asked the AFL to assess the 57-game defender's condition, noting he had suffered multiple concussions throughout his career.
Murphy can now return to the field in 2024.
“Nathan's health and well-being remains our absolute priority,” Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said in a statement.
Nathan Murphy has been told he can resume his AFL career
There were major concerns about the Collingwood star's health
'Nathan suffered concussion late in the first quarter of the Grand Final and following this incident – combined with his medical history – the club engaged with Nathan and his family in discussions with concussion specialists and the expert concussion medical panel convened by the AFL to assess a return to play.
“At the end of this process, the medical panel of concussion experts convened by the AFL determined that Nathan could return to playing football in the elite AFL competition.
“The health and wellbeing of all athletes at Collingwood remains of paramount importance and any incidence of concussion will be managed appropriately and in accordance with the AFL's current concussion guidelines.”
Former Sydney and St Kilda player Paddy McCartin was forced to retire in August after the league's concussion experts recommended he stop playing.
McCartin, the 2014 No. 1 draft pick, had a long history of concussions, leading to his cut by the Saints in late 2019.
His comeback to the Swans lasted just four rounds in a second season.
Collingwood's Murphy suffered a concussion not long before grand final quarter-time when his head collided with the shoulder of Brisbane forward Lincoln McCarthy as the pair contested a loose ball.
But concussion experts have given him the all clear to resume his career
Murphy ruled himself out of returning to the field and missed most of the Magpies' win.
He was a key figure in their premiership success, playing 24 of a possible 25 games in 2023.
The only match Murphy missed was in round six, when he was sidelined due to concussion protocols.
It followed an incident which led to St Kilda forward Anthony Caminiti being banned for three matches for punching.