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.
paulywalnuts
Guest
If they're going to start paying those on a regular basis then the whistle's going to be going 100+ times per game.
Adrian Polykandrites
Expert
Absolutely nothing in the tangle (if you could even call it that) between Breust and Murphy. Dogs should be much more concerned with why Murphy was left 1v2 in the defensive 50 while they were trying to hold a three-point lead in the final two minutes.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
All I see is Breust backtracking and Murphy who is looking at Breust and not the ball trying to get in between Breust & the ball. There is a little bit of contact by both players but certainly nothing that would warrant a free kick.
Mark
Guest
Are you serious? We see players engage like that all the time without a free kick paid. Far out some people are so bitter! Go watch the entire match again and you will see plenty of calls and non-calls from the umpires that benefited both teams! Because it happens in every single match.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Hi Fitz, I thought the umps indisputably gifted Hawthorn 3 goals in the first quarter, but I wouldn't have paid a free against Breust in those final seconds. The contact was acceptable IMO. On another note, listening to Lethal commentate Hawthorn games is the same as listening to Eddie commentate Collingwood. When tv spectators see poor ump decisions going Hawthorns way and substantially impacting the scoreboard and Roughead felled 100m off the ball by Birchall (consistent with Clarkson's instructions according to Suckling), Lethal just glosses over it as if it's insignificant. Same thing happened (3 goals gifted to Hawks at crucial stage in final quarter) in round one against Geelong.
mattyb
Guest
Hi Fits,it has been discussed on this website in various articles and nearly all agree the tackle was illegal.
D Fitz
Guest
Anon says that Murphy was subject to an illegal shepherd when he ruptured the ACL in his left knee in the last minute of the game. I also thought that Breust made an obviously illegal tackle against Murphy and should have been penalised with a free kick to Murphy. This would not have avoided the ruptured ACL but probably would have reversed the result. Does anyone else agree that it was an illegal tackle/shepherd ?
Robbie
Guest
I couldn't agree more with the comparison of Murphy to Harvey and Flower. All three are champions of their clubs, all three passed on generous offers from other clubs to remain one club players however I hope Murphy can return and lead his Pups to the premiership that eluded the other two champions
peter chrisp
Guest
Have to agree with these shocking injuries as suggested Dane Swan & Robert Murphy both legends at their own clubs, for memory R.M. is 32/33 and D.S. is i guess the same age, it's difficult to judge do they come back? Let's hope they can but can they still play under the same fire & intensity when the time comes good luck to both of them!
Aransan
Guest
I still wonder if he would have been able to effect a spoil in that last act if it hadn't been for his knee. There should have been a bigger body back there to assist him.
Aransan
Guest
Forget the LARS, he is capable of going for another couple of years. This year might not turn out as important for the Bulldogs as 2017 and 2018.
Aransan
Guest
I hope he goes that way Dougie. It is very easy to underestimate the importance of leaders to clubs, Hodge to Hawthorn and Murphy to the Bulldogs. What we don't know is the commitment that Murphy has had to put in to compete at the level that he has been achieving. If he feels that he can make the commitment to recover from his ACL and continue for another year or so then the great talent of his leadership will not be diminished with his advancing years.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
It's sad to see him go down like that at the end of a thriller game like that. I hope it isn't the end for Bob Murphy, he's a great leader, player and person. I hope he can come back next year and be apart of the Doggies exciting future
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
I don't know of any player as universally liked and respected as Robert Murphy. Players of the ilk of Robert Harvey and the late Robert Flower come to mind. If this is the end for Murphy - and I fear it will be - then I hope to all the Gods of Football that the Bulldogs win the big one this year, even if they beat my Swans in doing so, and that Murphy is sent out to receive the Cup he gave so much to achieve for his team and his mates. Robert Murphy was never the most talented player in the league but you would be hard pressed to find one who got more out of himself and gave it so passionately with never a thought of self glory. A champion man and I wish him well, whatever his future holds.
anon
Guest
When Hawthorn were 4-4 last season, there were excuses for their bad losses. Essendon generally play well against them, they probably underestimated GWS, they were napping at the start against Sydney but then dominated the rest of the game, Port Adelaide got a huge lead but the Hawks came roaring back. Plus in all those games they were basically winners statistically. They won clearances, inside 50's, possession. Either all three or 2 of 3. Against Port they had 79 inside 50's to something like 41. Yesterday and against Geelong two weeks ago they were smashed in clearances and inside 50's. We haven't really seen Hawthorn beaten areas like that before, let alone twice in three games. And I don't think you can put that down to the absence of their spine. The Hawks were made to look slow in general play. Composure is the only thing that got Hawthorn over the line against a young team yesterday. And even then, if Murphy gets a free for that illegal shepherd when he does his knee, if that deliberate out of bounds is paid at the end, if the Hawks player gets pinged for ducking his head into a tackle, pr Sicily's kick for goal sails wide, we're talking about how the Hawks didn't have an answer for the Bulldogs when the game was up for grabs. We're talking about how they responded when 5 goals down to put together a 50 point turn-a-round, and we're talking about how when they were challenged in the last quarter the Bulldogs stood up. I know people like to talk about intangibles getting Hawthorn over the line. And they're clearly an awesome team given their dismantling of West Coast. It's not as though they finish top of the ladder every year. They do lose games throughout seasons, but in the past it was different. They have genuinely been OUTPLAYED by the opposition in 2 of the first 3 rounds.
mattyb
Guest
That's what I'm hoping Brendon,terrible this has happened to Murphy,I really hope we get to see his silky skills again.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
At his age, surely Bob goes with the LARS option, could be back for round 13 or so.
Swanny done too!
Guest
Dane Swan is kaput also, even if he gets back on the field, he will never be what he was. It is like putting a flower vase back together with superglue, you can still see the cracks and the thing is weak.
Penster
Guest
Victory for the Hawks certainly paled compared to the horrible and likely career ending injury of one of the game's gentleman. Great show by the Doggies, they're tenacious and desperate, hope they continue the form. It was a blistering game of football. Interesting to see how Clarko's progeny coaches are going by mid-season. Beveridge has made the biggest inroads of form so far.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Personally, I'd love him to be kept on our list and return next season. He's continued to play excellent footy and the club seems to be on the verge of an exciting future, so I reckon he'll be keen to try and finish on a high instead of a low.