LIAM Jurrah's journey to life as an AFL footballer is even more remarkable than Jim Stynes' move from Ireland to Melbourne according to the Demons president.

Stynes was famously recruited from Gaelic football in the 1980s to try his luck with Melbourne despite never previously playing the Australian game.

He says his transformation was not as dramatic as Jurrah, who was recruited from Yuendumu in outback Northern Territory to pursue his AFL dream.

Speaking at the launch of a book celebrating Jurrah's journey from central Australia to metropolitan Melbourne, Stynes praised the Melbourne forward for making the move.

"It's been incredible, it's one thing for me because I came from a background that wasn't dissimilar to Australia. Whereas for Liam, even though he's from within Australia, he really has come from a totally different cultural background, languages, the whole lot," Stynes said.

"He was coming from a long way back and to his credit he has been sensational."

Jurrah is one of a growing band of indigenous players at the Demons with teammates Aaron Davey, Austin Wonaeamirri, Jamie Bennell and Neville Jetta all attending the launch of his book at the MCG on Wednesday.

Stynes said it was a far cry from his days as a player in the 80s and 90s.

"When I first came to Australia, we didn't have a lot of indigenous players. Sean Charles was one and I always felt for Sean because he was on his own and he was a pioneer," he said.

"He didn't have his mates and I don't think as a club we really understood how we could make it easier for him. There were people trying but there weren't a lot of aboriginal kids playing in the AFL at the time.

"Things have changed now and we've got a great group of aboriginal players who have embraced the culture and the culture is embracing them and we're starting to understand theirs."

Davey has undertaken a role as an unofficial leader of Melbourne's indigenous players and says he loved the camaraderie among the group.

"I enjoy doing it. He and Aussie [Wonaeamirri] live two minutes up the road and part of my job is to make sure these guys transition. We're all family here and it's something Matty Whelan did for myself when I first came down," Davey said.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said the league took pride in Jurrah's journey.

"We should treasure stories like that of Liam Jurrah for they also celebrate the wonderful diversity of the game," Demetriou said.

"Like Jim Stynes, Liam Jurrah shows that Australian football is a game for everyone, regardless of their background."

Speaking after the book launch, Jurrah paid tribute to the people who helped him along the way, including Bruce Hearn Mackinnon who wrote the book and was a key figure in helping him pursue his AFL dream.

"It wouldn't have happened if I didn't have any support from the community," Jurrah said.

"I had a lot of support from my family and my friends. I got to know Bruce a bit and the guys I know back home also helped."

The Liam Jurrah Story by Bruce Hearn Mackinnon can be purchased from the Demon Shop for $24.95.

Luke Holmesby covers Melbourne news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_LHolmesby