Bob Murphy: Right man for the job, 12 months too late

By Adam Cummings / Roar Rookie

Selecting a captain can be a tough job. Selecting the right captain is vital. Selecting Bob Murphy as captain of the Bulldogs is the right call, it’s just 12 months late.

Coach Brendan McCartney announced Ryan Griffen as the Doggies skipper ahead of the 2014 AFL season.

“We see Ryan as the right person to help take this club forward and we look forward to seeing him continue to grow as a leader, player and person,” McCartney said at the time.

Unfortunately for McCartney (and long suffering ‘Scrays fans), history will show he was wrong.

Griffen was and is a star. An All-Australian, a two time best-and-fairest winner, an elite onballer. But he’s not a captain. Just ask him or his manager.

Upon announcing that he wanted out of Footscray, it was revealed that Griffen was a reluctant captain.

“It was a hard thing for him, and it was a major adjustment to take place,” his manager Nigel Carmody said.

“He’s a leader, but he’s not a leader in the true sense of what we think perhaps an AFL captain to be these days – they’re a mouthpiece, they’re a spokesperson.”

In short, Griffen prefers anonymity. He loves footy, but he doesn’t love the attention that comes with it. He would rather be hunting or fishing than doing pressers. He’s not comfortable in the spotlight, particularly as the spokesperson.

The same can’t be said of his replacement.

Bob Murphy is also a gun player. He is also a ‘heart and soul’ type of bloke that teammates and opponents like, admire and respect. He is a genuine leader of men and he genuinely loves his Western Bulldogs.

In short, he is a no nonsense, no frills sort of a bloke. An intelligent, well spoken man who has been described as a “natural fit” for the role. Those who have read his columns will know that he is a thinker. Those who have watched him play will know that he can fill a variety of roles, all over the ground, and that he gives his all for the red, white and blue.

The Bulldogs could’ve gone for a young, emerging leader and installed Murphy as a vice captain to assist them – but that would’ve been the wrong choice and wouldn’t have given Murphy the due credit he deserves and has earned.

The youngsters can still learn from ‘the man formerly known as Robert’, but after nearly 300 games, Murph has earned the right to lead the club. His club.

“I’m chuffed to have been nominated and installed as captain of a club that has played such a major part of my life over the past 15 years,” he said in a club statement.

An All-Australian himself, Murphy is coming off yet another top-four finish in his club’s best-and-fairest and didn’t miss a game in 2014. He’s the old cliché of fine wine getting better with age.

But as we know, being a gun player doesn’t make you a good leader.

They say that there are three key ‘Cs’ to being a good captain: caring, courageous and consistent. Murphy embodies these.

He is caring by nature and appears willing to put the greater good of the team above his own individual goals. He leads by example and has got the absolute most out of his career, he has had the courage to walk the talk and compete to the best of his ability at all times, even during some lean years for the Doggies. He could’ve left the club for greater financial reward and possibly greater success, but chose to stay loyal.

They say that if you embody the three Cs of captaincy that you’ll achieve the fourth – credibility. Bob Murphy has that in buckets and is the right man for the job.

It might be an appointment that was made 12 months too late (especially if you’re Brendan McCartney), but it’s the right one. And as they also say, it’s better late than never.

The Crowd Says:

AUTHOR

2014-11-24T21:01:21+00:00

Adam Cummings

Roar Rookie


You could be right there Floyd - the positive is that there's guys like Boyd, Morris and the new skipper to help usher in the next generation. Haven't heard anyone say a bad word about Murphy (from inside the Kennel or the opposition)...the exception being that I believe some players are a bit peeved that he makes them look silly because he's so articulate/educated :)

2014-11-24T08:12:40+00:00

Floyd Calhoun

Guest


Murphy is the obvious choice. Very well respected in the league. Good on him. Perhaps should've happened 2-3 season ago.

AUTHOR

2014-11-24T03:41:34+00:00

Adam Cummings

Roar Rookie


Have heard really good things about Hrovat and reckon he could be an option down the track. Don't think he'll be ready for it in 2 years though when Murphy will most likely be ready to hand it over again. Smith is one out of left field.... bit of a Matthew Boyd type in regards to the "hard at it" and "lead from the front"... Nice to see the Doggies with some legitimate options though.

2014-11-24T03:10:53+00:00

Trev

Guest


I'd suggest Clay Smith as a possible captain, does need to get his body right but is as tough as they come, will lead from the front. Hrovat captained his TAC side and apparently is a bit of a natural but still has a long way to go.

AUTHOR

2014-11-23T21:31:16+00:00

Adam Cummings

Roar Rookie


Tough call mate. I see Murph being something of a "transition skipper", leading the Dogs for a couple of years before handing over the baton to one of the younger blokes. With that being said, there's a bit of water to go under the bridge before one of the next generation puts their hands up. A couple in the frame at the moment still have a bit of work to do on cementing themselves as regular senior players eg Wallis (still in-and-out of the side at the minute) or Roughead (needs to get his body right). Libba strikes me as someone who'd lead from the front and he seems to have really embraced life as an AFL player following his early indiscretion, not sure if he's the "outspoken" type (which doesn't necessarily count against you). Other names I've heard bandied are Luke Dalhaus, Jake Stringer and even Stewart Crameri (although the "saga" might have a big say in that). Personally would be leaning towards Roughead or Wallis (based on crystal balling and assuming both can really lock down a place over the next couple of years). Roughead has huge wraps & just needs a run at it. Thoughts yourself?

AUTHOR

2014-11-23T21:15:13+00:00

Adam Cummings

Roar Rookie


Agree with the well wishing sentiments mate, he comes across an absolute gem of feller. And while Bob may not be big from a "muscular" perspective Dougie, he's wiry. Very, very wiry :) Can't see him imposing himself physically on too many skirmishes (he loves taking the mickey out of himself for his guns - or lack of), but make no mistake, he's a leader. And if all else fails, get the new coach out there to sort a couple out - he's got cannons up his sleeves!!

2014-11-23T14:11:45+00:00

Kieran

Guest


Out of interest Adam, who in your opinion will be the next Dog's Captain after Murphy?

2014-11-23T12:55:31+00:00

Pumping Dougie

Guest


Good luck Bob - you're a champion player and bloke. But I'm not looking forward to seeing other teams physically target our new captain. Although it could be comical. Maybe Minson should have been chosen as a decoy.

AUTHOR

2014-11-23T08:55:46+00:00

Adam Cummings

Roar Rookie


Trying to force a square peg into a round hole doesn't work. Great players don't necessarily make great captains...just like they don't necessarily make good coaches. Murphy is the right choice for right now.

2014-11-23T08:18:57+00:00

Radelaide

Guest


Lesson is don't make a guy captain if he doesn't want to be. Simple.

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