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Marc Murphy knows all about AFL leadership, but coach Mick Malthouse says there could still be some tough lessons ahead for the new Carlton captain.
After several weeks of speculation, the Blues confirmed on Wednesday that Murphy would take over from Chris Judd.
Vice-captains Andrew Carrazzo and Kade Simpson were the other main contenders for the role.
Murphy, 25, was the No.1 pick in the 2005 draft and has been part of the Blues’ leadership group since his second year at the club.
Still, Malthouse warned the star onballer that the captaincy would sometimes mean not being too popular with team-mates.
“You can’t baulk at that and this will be the testing time of a new captain … to find that out over the duration of a 12-month period, because you’re going to have highs and lows,” Malthouse said.
“It’s more about professionalism than it is about friendship.”
Murphy admits off-field communication is one area where he wants to develop.
“I’m a very competitive person, (but) not one of the most vocal blokes at the club,” he said.
“I lead by example and I give 100 per cent week-in, week-out.”
Murphy was destined to be the Blues skipper at some stage and the club made a big deal of his appointment.
Former captains Judd, John Nicholls, Mark McClure and Anthony Koutoufides attended the media conference.
Murphy sat in between Malthouse and club president Stephen Kernahan, Carlton’s most recent premiership skipper.
The appointment was confirmed on the day of Carlton’s season launch.
“There have obviously been some great players and great people who’ve captained the club,” Murphy said.
“To be put up with those names, it’s a pretty big honour.
“It’s special and it’s something that I definitely hold pretty dear.”
Jarrad Waite and Nick Duigan are the other players in the Carlton leadership group.
Kernahan said he would have been happy with Murphy, Carrazzo or Simpson as skipper, while Malthouse described the process to pick the captain as exhaustive.
Murphy’s appointment completes a period of massive change at Carlton, which started with the sacking of coach Brett Ratten at the end of last season.
Malthouse took over as coach a few days later and Judd eventually decided to stand down after five seasons as captain.
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