ESSENDON utility Nathan Lovett-Murray has been released from hospital and is expected to resume training next week after being stabbed in what police have described as a domestic incident on Tuesday night.
Lovett-Murray had minor surgery, with the club thankful he had escaped serious injury to his arm.
“Nathan’s injury was sustained to the inner side of his bicep muscle,” Essendon doctor Bruce Reid said in a statement.
“It is a dangerous area of the body as there are a number of nerves and tendons around the bicep but fortunately he has avoided serious injury.
“He did cut the artery in his arm and as a result has lost a fair bit of blood.
“Most importantly, Nathan will make a full recovery and is expected to resume training next week."
Lovett-Murray thanked the support he had received throughout the day, which included a visit to the hospital from coach James Hird and the thoughts of Essendon champion Michael Long.
"Thank you to everyone for all the support, I am very grateful for all the well wishes,” Lovett-Murray said.
“All is well, I’m feeling good and I will now rest up for the next few days and look forward to getting back to training early next week."
The stabbing occurred outside a house in suburban Reservoir.
Essendon CEO Ian Robson told a media conference on Wednesday morning the club understood the incident took place at Lovett-Murray's girlfriend's house.
"Nathan was defending himself, is what we understand, but the sequence of events will now be a matter for the police investigation.
"This sends a real shiver down everyone's spine because Nathan is a really important person at the football club."
Robson said Lovett-Murray had a wound to his right arm, but he was expected to make "a quick and full recovery".
Robson was unsure whether surgery was required.
Hird arrived at the hospital early on Wednesday afternoon and shared his concern for Lovett-Murray with waiting media.
"He's a fantastic person, been a great leader for our football club and we're all very concerned about him," Hird said.
Lovett-Murray was due to appear at the club's launch of its new Reconciliation Action Plan on Wednesday morning.
Essendon champion Michael Long, who was on hand to help launch the plan, said he would try to contact Lovett-Murray as he recovers.
"No doubt this week would have been important for Nathan, with Dreamtime at the 'G.
"He has been very proactive in our community programs and is a really good role model at Essendon.
"We hope he's OK - that's the most important thing."
Long didn't think the incident would overshadow the lead-up to Indigenous Round.
"It's an unfortunate accident that's happened.
"We've got to remember this is a great week and a great celebration ... of the great work done by all clubs."
Earlier, police confirmed two people had been arrested following what was described as "a domestic incident".
"Emergency services were called to a residential address in Wright Street just after 10pm following an altercation between three males," Victoria Police said in a statement.
"One of the group, a 30-year-old Pascoe Vale man, was allegedly stabbed in the arm and was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
"This morning police conducted a search warrant at another residential address in Reservoir and arrested two males.
"A 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy, both from Reservoir, are currently assisting police with their inquiries."
Speaking in Perth on Wednesday, AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou backed Lovett-Murray's contribution to football.
"I hope we can see Nathan Lovett-Murray have a speedy recovery. He's a wonderful person.
"He was expected this morning to be involved in part of the launch with Michael Long for Indigenous Round - one of the other components of the Long Walk.
"He couldn't fulfil those duties and I know that would have been something he would have been disappointed in."
Lovett-Murray has played 143 matches for the Bombers since making his debut in 2004. He has played one match this season, against Geelong as substitute.
