Robert Murphy (footballer)

Robert Murphy
Personal information
Full nameRobert Murphy
Date of birth9 June 1982
Original teamWarragul / Gippsland Power
Draft13th overall, 1999
Western Bulldogs
Height/Weight186 cm / 82 kg
Position(s)Defender
Club information
Current clubWestern Bulldogs
Number2
Playing career1
YearsClubGames (Goals)
2000–Western Bulldogs271 (171)
Representative team honours
YearsTeamGames (Goals)
2008Victoria (Australia) Victoria1 (1)
1 Playing statistics correct to end of 2014 season.
Career highlights
  • Most Promising 2001
  • AFL Rising Star Nominee 2001
  • International Rules Series 2002, 2003
  • Best Team Person 2003
  • All-Australian Team 2011
  • Western Bulldogs captain 2015-

Robert "Bob" Murphy (born 9 June 1982) is an Australian rules footballer and the current captain of the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League. Renowned for his silky skills[1] and leadership qualities, Murphy has also proven himself a versatile player, equally capable of playing in attack or in defence depending on the situation. He was appointed as the Bulldogs' captain for 2015 following the departure of predecessor Ryan Griffen.[2]

Early career

Murphy is the third and youngest child of John and Monica Murphy. Both parents belonged formerly to Catholic orders, John as a priest and Monica as a nun. He has one brother, Ben, and a sister, Bridget.[3]

AFL career

2000–2004

Murphy was drafted to the Western Bulldogs with pick 13 in the 1999 National Draft. After spending much of the 2000 season developing his slim frame,[4] he made his debut in Round 19 against Carlton at Princes Park, gathering 13 disposals and kicking a goal in a thrilling 3-point victory.[5] In 2001 he was nominated for the AFL Rising Star award in round 16 after playing St Kilda.[1]

2005–present

In 2005, under new coach Rodney Eade, Murphy cemented a place as a small centre half forward. He kicked 33 goals from this position and his overhead marking and leading ability were invaluable to the team. As part of the leadership group he led his younger team mates by great example across the half forward line.

On 26 May 2006 Murphy injured his left knee during a horrible collision in the Bulldogs' 34-point loss to Collingwood. This injury caused him to miss the remainder of the 2006 season, including what would have been his first finals series. After successful reconstruction, he returned to action in the 2007 NAB Cup series in February 2007. He injured his right knee early in the 2008 season, but played on for the remainder of the season, before undergoing surgery to repair a damaged patellar tendon in September 2008.[6]

Murphy was back to form resembling his best in 2010, when he posted his second top-five finish in the club best and fairest. He spent more time across half-back, where his disposal and decision-making were up to his usual high standard. In games against Essendon and Fremantle he collected a career-best 28 disposals. He missed three games mid-year with a knee injury which was again aggravated in the preliminary final, requiring post-season surgery.

In 2011 he had one of his best ever seasons, finishing second in the Bulldogs' best and fairest award,[7] and earning his first selection in an All-Australian team, being named on a half-back flank.[8]

Personal life

Murphy is married to Justine, and has two children – a son, Jarvis, and a daughter, Frankie.He attended St Kevin's College, Toorak.[9]

He writes a weekly column in the sport section of The Age newspaper. An article about playing against Steve Johnson[10] earned Murphy a highly commended prize in the 2012 Australian Football Media Association awards.[11] He is a regular panelist on the AFL 360 television talk show on Fox Footy.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fuller, Mark (12 August 2001). "The pup-and-comers". The Sunday Age.
  2. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/bob-murphy-named-new-captain-of-western-bulldogs/story-e6frf3e3-1227130650929?from=public_rss&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
  3. ↑ A clan of true believers, 16 June 2011
  4. ↑ Ryan, Melissa (4 February 2001). "From boys to men with bark". The Sunday Age.
  5. ↑ Connolly, Rohan (16 July 2000). "Still life in the old Dogs". The Sunday Age.
  6. ↑ Stevens, Mark (12 November 2008). "Delay for Murphy's return". Herald Sun.
  7. ↑ "2011 Awards, Charlie Sutton Medal".
  8. ↑ Holmesby, Luke (19 September 2011). "Murphy 'over the moon'".
  9. ↑ Hanlon, Peter (22 November 2009). "Jock making way for Frankie".
  10. ↑ Murphy, Bob (31 May 2012). "Trick of the light, or just another Stevie J trick?".
  11. ↑ "The Age receives top honours at AFL Media Awards". 20 September 2012.

External links