AFTER being ordered to leave Alice Springs immediately, Liam Jurrah has landed in Melbourne but managed to avoid the main media throng by exiting through a different gate.
Jurrah arrived in Melbourne, accompanied by his friend and author of his biography, Bruce Hearn Mackinnon. No comment was made to the media and he quickly departed the airport in a black car.
Airport security helped play down Jurrah's arrival by allowing all passengers and Qantas crew to disembark the aircraft before closing the doors of the gate.
Media were then asked to leave the area before Jurrah got off the aircraft.
A passenger confirmed the 23-year-old had been on the plane, which was a direct flight from Alice Springs that landed in Melbourne at 3.45pm AEST.
Jurrah was in court early on Friday morning where he was ordered to leave Alice Springs and abstain from alcohol.
A police prosecutor told the Alice Springs court that Jurrah was affected by alcohol when he armed himself with a machete during a violent brawl.
The prosecutor said Jurrah was accompanied by another man who was armed with an axe.
The prosecutor said the pair were at a local town camp when a fight erupted.
In a police interview, Jurrah denied any involvement in the fight.
He has been told he cannot return to Alice Springs until it is time to again face the court.
Prior to that time he must report to a Melbourne police station twice a week and abstain from alcohol.
Jurrah has been charged with unlawfully causing serious injury and being armed with an offensive weapon. Bail was set at $3000.
The original three charges have been rolled into two.
In a media statement, the AFL said it was very concerned by the seriousness of the allegations.
AFL general manager of football operations Adrian Anderson said it was a complex issue that involved challenging cultural dynamics.
"This is a difficult and traumatic situation for everyone involved. Melbourne Football Club has kept the AFL informed and we will continue to liaise with the club as more details emerge," Anderson said.
