| Robert Murphy |
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| Personal information |
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| Full name |
Robert Murphy |
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| Date of birth |
(1982-06-09) 9 June 1982 |
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| Original team(s) |
Warragul / Gippsland Power |
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| Draft |
13th overall, 1999
Western Bulldogs |
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| Height/Weight |
186 cm / 82 kg |
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| Position(s) |
Defender |
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| Club information |
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| Current club |
Western Bulldogs |
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| Number |
2 |
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| Playing career1 |
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| Years |
Club |
Games (Goals) |
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| 2000– |
Western Bulldogs |
295 (173) |
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| Representative team honours |
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| Years |
Team |
Games (Goals) |
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| 2008 |
Victoria |
1 (1) |
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1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 3, 2016 season. |
| Career highlights |
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Robert "Bob" Murphy (born 9 June 1982) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for and is the current captain of the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). 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]
In 2015 He was named captain of the year at the AFLPA awards becoming the 4th player to win the award in his first year as a captain and was also named captain of the all Australian team becoming the first ever player to have collected both honours in the same season.
On 10 April 2016, in the final minutes of the Bulldogs three-point loss to Hawthorn, Murphy sustained a knee injury while contesting a mark in the Hawks' forward-50. Scans later revealed he had injured his knee and had sustained a season-ending ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. It is currently unclear whether he will continue to play following his recovery.[9] Dale Morris was named as his replacement as captain.
Statistics
- Statistics are correct to the end of round 7, 2015 [10]
* = Unfinished season
Personal life
He is married to wife Justine, and has three children – a son, Jarvis, and two daughters, Frankie and Delilah.[11]
Murphy features frequently in the media. He writes a weekly column in the sport section of The Age newspaper. An article he wrote about playing against Steve Johnson[12] earned him a highly commended prize in the 2012 Australian Football Media Association awards.[13]
He was formerly a regular panelist on the AFL 360 television talk show on Fox Footy. He is now a popular frequent guest of the show while not a regular panelist.
References
- 1 2 Fuller, Mark (12 August 2001). "The pup-and-comers". The Sunday Age.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ A clan of true believers, 16 June 2011
- ↑ Ryan, Melissa (4 February 2001). "From boys to men with bark". The Sunday Age.
- ↑ Connolly, Rohan (16 July 2000). "Still life in the old Dogs". The Sunday Age.
- ↑ Stevens, Mark (12 November 2008). "Delay for Murphy's return". Herald Sun.
- ↑ "2011 Awards, Charlie Sutton Medal".
- ↑ Holmesby, Luke (19 September 2011). "Murphy 'over the moon'".
- ↑ Niall, Jake; Waterworth, Ben (11 April 2016). "Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says he’s optimistic Bob Murphy will play on despite injury". Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ↑ Robert Murphy's player profile at AFL Tables
- ↑ Hanlon, Peter (22 November 2009). "Jock making way for Frankie".
- ↑ Murphy, Bob (31 May 2012). "Trick of the light, or just another Stevie J trick?".
- ↑ "The Age receives top honours at AFL Media Awards". 20 September 2012.
External links
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* denotes rookie listed players
** denotes player(s) serving WADA suspension in 2016
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