Collingwood’s Nathan Murphy has been cleared to resume his AFL career following an examination by the league’s concussion panel.

Murphy, 24, sustained 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-match defender’s condition, noting he had suffered multiple concussions throughout his career.

Murphy has now been permitted to return to the field in 2024.

“Nathan’s health and wellbeing remains our absolute priority,” Collingwood executive general manager of football 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.”

Murphy was concussed not long before quarter-time in the grand final when his head collided with Brisbane forward Lincoln McCarthy’s shoulder as the pair contested a loose ball.

He ruled himself out of returning to the field, missing the majority of the Magpies’ victory.

Murphy had been a key cog in their premiership success, playing 24 of a possible 25 matches throughout 2023.

The only match Murphy missed was in round six, when he was sidelined under concussion protocols.

Former Sydney and St Kilda player Paddy McCartin was forced to retire in August after the AFL’s concussion experts recommended he stop playing.

AAP

Source: AFL NEWS ABC