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Few professional athletes get to go out on their own terms.
Collingwood champion Dane Swan’s career could well be over after a nasty foot injury wiped him out before he’d even touched the footy in Round 1. Modern great Chris Judd’s retirement was brought forward when he tore up his knee against the Crows at the MCG last season.
But there was something exceedingly cruel about what happened at Etihad Stadium on Sunday night.
As if defeat wasn’t a sufficient punishment for the Western Bulldogs’ collective brain fart, which saw them exposed one versus two in defence while trying to hold onto a late lead against the Hawks, skipper Bob Murphy tweaked his knee in his spoiling attempt and collapsing knowing all too well the damage he’d done.
ACL are the three most dreaded letters in footy. A knee reconstruction usually means 12 months out of footy, and for soon-to-be 34-year-old Murphy, that’s 12 months he might not be able to afford.
As Bulldogs fans dared to dream about a fairytale 2016, Murphy was to be the hero who would lead them to glory – and thus finally taste the ultimate success that both Swan and Judd already know. However, the hero appears to have been slain by a remorseless beast that has wounded so many.
Like it or not though, the Dogs’ journey continues without their leading man, which in itself presents a dilemma.
Modern footy is just about the ultimate team game. We hear time and time again from coaches and players alike about how footballers just need to ‘play their role’. What makes teams great, however, is players who bring that something extra.
Murphy plays a similar role to teammates Matthew Boyd and Shane Biggs, but the dynamic 295-gamer is a rare breed at halfback. His ability to break the lines with leg speed as well as pierce opponents’ defensive set-ups with his slick kicking makes him a significant loss.
Bob Murphy is a game changer, and we’re about to find out just how much his absence changes the game for the Bulldogs.
Then there’s the Crows.
The Adelaide Crows know what it means to lose important players.
The departure of superstar Patrick Dangerfield might be freshest in people’s minds, but Kurt Tippett, Jack Gunston and Phil Davis are all in their prime at rival clubs.
When you consider the Crows not only lost Tippett, but also had to give up their first- and second-round picks in the 2013 draft as a penalty for their shady dealings with him, it’s truly remarkable how strong their current line-up is.
Their forward line is arguably the best in the competition, the defence capable and the midfield still strong despite Dangerfield’s departure – the Crows’ list builders have done phenomenal work.
In the past two weeks, Adelaide have dismantled Port Adelaide and Richmond – both teams more highly regarded in the preseason – thanks to a strong team defence, sharp ball-movement, and that powerful multi-pronged forward line.
The Crows look every bit a finals team in the early stages of the season; if they can knock over the undefeated Swans in what shapes as game of the round at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, it might be time to remove the ceiling on what Adelaide can accomplish this season.