Australian Footballer Requests Time Off For "Family Issues," Attacks Cousin With A Machete

Liam Jurrah became the first person from a remote Central Australain indigenous community to play in the AFL when he was drafted by the Melbourne Demons three years ago. It was there, to the town camp of Little Sisters, that he returned last week, telling team management that he had family and community issues to attend to.

Today he's out on bail, forced to return to Melbourne on the first plane out, and charged with attacking his cousin with a machete and an axe, reportedly as payback for the death of another man in 2010.

Demons executives say they'll stand by Jurrah, but his cousin Basil isn't so forgiving.

"He'd better stay back there (in Melbourne), not to come back, Basil said. "He's not my cousin any more."

Melbourne footballer Liam Jurrah warned to never return [Herald Sun] h/t "P"