Murray Newman Biography

Murray Newman is delisted by the Eagles.

Newman departs the club in a year when he made an emotional return to football in round 21 after putting off-field issues behind him.

But the former first-round draft pick only played two matches ? taking his career tally to six games - and has now been dropped from the rookie list.

West Coast elevate rookie Murray Newman to its senior list after placing key defender Mitch Brown on the long-term injury list.

Murray Newman is set to miss the next two months after dislocating a tendon in his right thumb in the WAFL.

Newman suffered the injury in the opening term of East Perth's win over Subiaco on Good Friday.

The 21-year-old continued playing and finished with four goals for the afternoon, but scans revealed a dislocated tendon that could take eight weeks to heal.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson says troubled rookie Murray Newman will start with a clean slate this pre-season.

"I've seen nothing but good things with Murray from my first day here last year when I was asked the same question on how he trained and prepared. That hasn't changed at all since I've been here," Simpson said.

"He's trained every day since the boys left (in September). Every time I've been at the club, he's been there training."

West Coast appears set to retain the services of troubled youngster Murray Newman next season although it is unlikely he will participate in the remainder of the club's 2014 campaign.

Murray Newman is granted parole on his one-year prison sentence for fracturing the jaw of a man who had sex with his girlfriend.

The Prisoners Review Board noted that Newman had seen a psychologist before he was locked up and intended to continue treatment after his release.

The board said that showed a willingness to address his problems. The board also noted that Newman had participated in voluntary programs while in custody, had a limited criminal history, and had employment and accommodation.

Murray Newman is jailed for 12 months after being found guilty of fracturing a man's jaw at a Perth nightclub for sleeping with his girlfriend.

"The club does not condone Murray's actions, or similar violent acts, but will continue to support him," Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett said.

"As we have done throughout this case, we will continue to work closely with the AFL on this difficult issue.

"We would like to retain Murray on the club's rookie list for the 2014 season as the club believes that it will be an important part of his rehabilitation and his re-integration to society – and football – upon his release.

"Since this incident occurred, Murray has been exemplary around the club, and is deeply sorry for his actions."

Murray Newman is found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm by the Perth District Court but the Eagles say they will continue to stand by the young midfielder.

"We believe it is important to support Murray through a pivotal time in his young life," Eagles football manager Craig Vozzo said.

"Since the incident, we have noticed positive changes in Murray's life and we feel we need to assist that progress.

"With support, understanding and direction we believe Murray can mature into a young man who can contribute positively to the Western Australian community."

Murray Newman tells the Perth District Court he acted in self-defense when he punched Brett Marris and broke Marris' jaw.

"I felt scared because they could turn against me," Newman said.

According to his evidence, Mr Newman was grabbed around the throat by Mr Marris - which is when he hit out to defend himself.

Defence lawyer David Grace QC told the jury it should question the reliability of Mr Marris' evidence, while saying threatening Facebook messages the footballer had sent the victim before the alleged assault were "immature".

Prosecutor Michael Perrella said Mr Newman's claims of self-defence were a "complete red-herring", and questioned why he had not mentioned being grabbed by the throat to the police.

"It is an attempt to portray himself as the victim to take your focus away from the fact that he was the aggressor," Perrella said.

Murray Newman's trial begins with the West Coast footballer being accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Brett Marris, then aged 20, in November last year.

Prosecutors alleged on Monday that Newman had a grudge against Mr Marris because he had slept with Newman's girlfriend when the couple were on a break.

After weeks of threats from Newman on Facebook, the pair saw each other at the Library Nightclub in Northbridge, where they fought for about 10 seconds before bouncers broke up the fight, the court heard.

But the defence team said Newman, who was the only one of the pair sober that night, acted in self-defence against a taller man. Mr Marris testified that Newman confronted him near the entrance of the club and wanted to have a fight outside.

He said Newman was loud and aggressive, and took the first swing.

Mr Marris said he drank 10 mixed drinks that night and had pushed Newman with an open hand, but denied placing his hand on Newman's neck and upper chest.

West Coast is pleased with the way troubled rookie Murray Newman has applied himself to pre-season training as his impending court case looms.

"With his off-field position it's obviously challenging but you wouldn't know that now," West Coast football operations manager Craig Vozzo said.

"He's been really happy, putting his head down and throwing himself into his work.

"So I'm sure there's some anxiety there around what's happening with the legal process but you wouldn't know that from the way he's conducted himself at the footy club. We're very pleased with him."

Murray Newman is delisted by West Coast ahead of his December trial on a grievous bodily harm charge, but the Eagles have committed to reclaiming the small forward in this month's NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"The trial is post-draft and because of the seriousness of the offence and uncertainty around the outcome, we have had to take the step of delisting Murray, but have also pledged to support him through the process," West Coast football operations manager Craig Vozzo said.

"While we have cut him from the primary list at this stage, we have committed to keep Murray at the club via the rookie draft.

"We have supported him through a very difficult period and will continue to do so during the challenging period ahead."

As he awaits his fate after being charged with grievous bodily harm over an incident in a Perth nightclub last year, Murray Newman has been given a "clean slate" with new Eagles coach Adam Simpson.

"He's got a clean slate with me. I spoke to him briefly a couple of weeks ago and I mentioned exactly that, " Simpson said.

"He's been at the club most days. He's got a really good attitude at the moment. We'll be a little bit patient with what happens in the next few weeks.

"We can't make too many plans until we find out what happens. But he's a talent."

Murray Newman has been granted compassionate leave from West Coast to deal with "personal issues" that stem from his pending court hearing.

"The club is supporting Murray through this period and we ask that people respect his privacy as he deals with this matter," a statement from the Eagles said.

"The club will make no further comment on the issue."

Questions are raised about Murray Newman's future at West Coast after the 19-year-old left Claremont Oval at quarter-time while playing for Swan Districts in the WAFL.

Newman collected one possession in the opening term before storming into the rooms at the first change, grabbing his bag and leaving the ground.

West Coast football operations manager Neale Daniher was at Claremont Oval and investigated with Swans officials as to why Newman disappeared but declined to comment.

John Worsfold says Murray Newman has the club's full support as he faces a charge of grievous bodily harm.

"He's got a big, heavy pre-season training workload that he's working through," Worsfold said.

"He's getting his volume in and getting his fitness up. He's got a lot of support around him. It's a tough time and he's got a lot to deal with.

"But he's not out there on his own, we're all supporting him and making sure we can help him through it all."

Under-fire Eagles forward Murray Newman is beaten in the club's 2km time trial by every runner, including coach John Worsfold.

West Coast midfielder Murray Newman has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm.

"An 18 year-old man from Swan View has been charged with grievous bodily harm and will be appearing in Perth Magistrate's Court on November 30," WA Police Seargent Gerry Cassidy said.

"Police will allege the person charged punched the victim to the jaw and a scuffle ensued. The victim suffered a broken jaw and required surgical intervention."

Murray Newman makes his AFL debut for West Coast with 13 disposals (9 kicks and 4 handballs), 5 marks and 2 goals in a 126-point win over Gold Coast.