Robert Murphy is regarded by most as a champion footballer, but more importantly, as a champion person.
After his beloved Western Bulldogs defeated Gold Coast at TIO Stadium four years ago, I used my media pass to get into the Dogs’ change-room.
I had no business being in there but I wanted to soak up the atmosphere and observe the professionalism exhibited by AFL clubs.
Most of the players were in recovery mode; icing injuries, rehydrating, eating, stretching and doing all the other one percenters elite athletes do in order to prepare for the following week.
But as I was standing in a corner trying to keep out of everyone’s way I noticed a bloke limp over to me.
It was Bob Murphy.
He asked how I was going and told me if there was any player or coach I wanted to speak to all I had to do was ask him and he would make sure to bring them over for me.
Murphy was not captain at the time and he was not obliged to make this nice gesture, but that is just an example of the type of person he is.
Since that moment, I have followed Murphy’s media exploits closely, whether it be his honesty and dry-wit as a regular guest on AFL 360, or his intelligent, articulately-penned columns in The Age.
He arrived at the kennel as a skinny 17-year-old who looked nothing like a footballer and has turned into a champion of his club.
And 295 games later he is playing arguably the best football of his career and it is no coincidence that his leadership at the club has aligned with the Bulldogs’ rapid rise up the ladder.
I will be keeping my fingers crossed that a knee reconstruction does not spell the end of what has been a magnificent career.
Even non-Bulldogs supporters can see the beauty in Robert Murphy retiring as a premiership-winning captain.
Twitter – @JClark182
D Fitz
Roar Rookie
Murphy will follow a sensible course, will not have LARS surgery because that would be likely to fail, will have conventional knee reconstruction, will not play again this year, will undertake thorough rehabilitation, will not retire, will do preseason and will resume playing in 2017 but only perform at 87.5% of his standard for this year.
gloria mantle
Guest
go doggies please dont retire bob you will be irraplaceable
gloria mantle
Guest
ive been a doggies supporter since i was five im fifty eight now i was so upset when i seen bob murphy do his knee against hawthorn i love the bulldogs and it would heart shattering to hear that bob has retired he is a true bulldog hope our supporters get behind and try to get him to play on for another year
D Fitz
Guest
Devastating loss for the Dogs and is unique and therefor irreplaceable.
Aransan
Guest
Leadership is really underestimated in our game, Murphy was a very good player right up to the present but his leadership brings other players into the game as well and that is something that will not diminish with age. Some of us are being too quick to write his football playing obituary.
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
Very interesting background and a top bloke to go with it, his media articles are entertaining and he is obviously insightful and intelligent.
Kurt
Guest
What I've always appreciated about Bob's media contributions has been his obvious intelligence combined with genuine emotional honesty. I remember an article from a couple of years back that was along the lines of 'why didn't I get my moment of glory with my club mates' which was written at a time when it appeared he wouldn't be around long enough for the Bulldogs next upswing. It was genuinely one of the best footy articles I've ever read, insightful, philosophical and a little bit sad without being in any way self pitying. Really hope he gets to play finals again.