Former Essendon player’s concern: Jabs harmed my daughter
FORMER Essendon star Nathan Lovett-Murray says he fears the drugs he was given during the club’s injections program have caused his daughter health problems.
The family says Harmony, 3, who was conceived about a year after the Bombers’ disastrous 2012 supplements regimen was stopped, is suffering from a mystery chest growth and behavioural problems.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that the injection program we were put through has had some impact on my daughter,” Lovett-Murray, 34, said.
“It’s something I think about every day.”
The Herald Sun can reveal Lovett-Murray, one of 34 Bombers banned for two years for doping, is preparing a $1 million Supreme Court damages claim against the club after compensation negotiations collapsed.
Lovett-Murray will allege the saga caused him severe stress, anxiety and depression.
He is claiming he experienced pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and financial loss as a result of negligence, a breach of statutory duty, and misleading and deceptive conduct.
The former defender will claim that the stigma of being labelled a “drug cheat” has caused worry for him and his extended family.
He believes his standing in the indigenous community has also been permanently damaged.
Lovett-Murray says he has been advised that any legal action regarding his daughter must be made separately.
He and his former partner, Renee Sweetman, told of fears for Harmony.
“What were we taking — we’re still unsure what we were being given — and how is that going to affect my health and also my children’s health?” Lovett-Murray said.
“There have been health concerns (with Harmony) and we have seen some specialists.
“There are some behavioural things that we are concerned about, and there was a hole in her chest that was leaking mucus, and we still don’t know what it is. They’ve got to do more tests, but those tests cost more money,” he said.
Lovett-Murray said he had spoken to the club.
“They have pretty much just said: ‘Go to a specialist and come back to us’,” he said.
The club said: “After Nathan’s management raised concerns with regard to this matter (Harmony’s health) in the first half of 2016, the club offered its support on various occasions. The club has not heard anything further from Nathan or his management on this matter for almost a year now, but remains committed to supporting him in any way possible.
“Nathan’s claim is being dealt with in an identical framework and process to that of the other 33 players … the club has now settled 31 of these claims and is making every attempt to bring all claims to a conclusion in a timely and appropriate manner.”
The club’s latest settlement offer, last month, was rejected.
Ms Sweetman told the Herald Sun: “She (Harmony) was almost 1 when she got a really large lump on her chest. It was there for about six months and we took her to the hospital and to different doctors, and they couldn’t find what the problem was. But my major concern is her behaviour. Her behaviour has never been normal. I know something isn’t right.
“There’s also something else on her chest. It has mucus in it and it’s like a little hole … they don’t know what it is. It’s very terrifying.”
The 145-game veteran’s ban for using banned peptide Thymosin-beta 4 cost him a job as playing coach of Shepparton’s Rumbalara club. Essendon has covered a season’s lost wages.
“I’m extremely disappointed with the club after what they have put me through over the last four years,” Lovett-Murray said.
“I just feel like they are trying to screw me over — and not just myself, but my family. They’re a big business and there is a bit of arrogance about them. But I spent 10 years at that club and have been put through hell.
“To be treated like this, as a life member … they’ve tarnished my name and my family’s name. (It’s) tarnished my name in the Aboriginal community, and I’ve worked hard in building that through community work.”
(haven’t added the link as it is a subscriber article)
I feel for NLM family re Harrnony and really hope they find out what the condition is.