The Melbourne Football Club congratulates Liam Jurrah on being named as Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year. 

As the first AFL footballer to emerge from the remote Yuendumu community, 350 kilometres north west of Alice Springs, Jurrah is living his dream, having grown up playing and loving the game.  He has inspired many in his first season as a Demon, playing nine games and kicking 20 goals, and being recognised as the Club's Best First Year Player.

Jurrah will now join recipients from all other states and territories as finalists for the national awards, which will be announced in Canberra on 25 January next year. 

If he is named as Young Australian of the Year, he will join others with Melbourne connections in state and national recognition.  Trisha Broadbridge was named Young Australian of the Year in 2006, while Ron Barassi, Donald Cordner and Jim Stynes are Club legends who have previously been named as Victorian of the Year.