Blues' Murphy nears decision on footballing future

First and foremost this week, captain Marc Murphy wants Carlton to regain their AFL self-respect against Collingwood.

While the injured star will meet with manager Paul Connors in the next few days to discuss his future, Murphy said it is paramount that the Blues rally from their appalling first half against Fremantle.

The Dockers mauled Carlton on Saturday, highlighting the enormity of the task facing the rebuilding club.

Murphy is a couple of weeks away from playing after missing seven of the last eight games with a foot injury.

“I have a couple of really important weeks, to get my body right,” he said.

“At the moment, that’s first and foremost and then making sure I’m supporting the boys as best I can.

“It’s about me trying to get back and playing football, first of all, and go from there.

“I’m here to lead this footy club and it’s a really important week, to make sure we show the right response, and more importantly for our fans, to make sure they feel that we’re playing for them.”

Carlton have a daunting assignment next Sunday, with arch-rivals Collingwood on a four-game winning streak.

Adding to their plight, they lost defender Alex Silvagni for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Silvagni has not played in the AFL this season because of previous injuries and he suffered this latest setback on the weekend in the VFL.

As the Blues’ painstaking list rebuild under Brendon Bolton stalls, speculation about Murphy’s future has increased.

Carlton are anchored to the bottom of the ladder with just one win, halfway through the third season of Bolton’s tenure.

The lack of progress has led to speculation the 30-year-old will explore his free agency options at the end of the season.

Murphy did little to dispel such talk when he told Triple M over the weekend that he is still considering his position.

“I had a good week last week in the bye period, I just went up to Byron Bay and got away for a bit and did some thinking,” Murphy said.

“I actually haven’t caught up with my manager, we have pencilled it in for early next week. We will make a call on that pretty soon.”

Few would begrudge him looking for a premiership flag elsewhere, but the Blues have been upfront in their desire to keep him.

Since he was taken with the No.1 pick at the 2005 draft, Murphy has played in just six finals, and no grand finals, in a 240-game career.