Robert Murphy (footballer)

Robert Murphy
Personal information
Full name	Robert Murphy
Date of birth	9 June 1982 (1982-06-09)
Original team	Warragul / Gippsland Power
Draft	13th overall, 1999 Western Bulldogs
Height/Weight	186 cm / 82 kg
Position(s)	Defender
Club information
Current club	Western Bulldogs
Number	2
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2000–	Western Bulldogs	209 (152)
Representative team honours
Years	Team	Games (Goals)
2008	Victoria	1 (1)
1 Playing statistics to end of 2011 season .
Career highlights
Most Promising 2001 AFL Rising Star Nominee 2001 International Rules Series 2002, 2003 Best Team Person 2003 All-Australian Team 2011

Robert "Bob" Murphy (born 9 June 1982) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League. Renowned for his silky skills and leadership qualities, Murphy has also proven himself a versatile player, equally capable of playing in attack or in defence depending on the situation.

Early career

Murphy is the third and youngest child of John and Monica Murphy. Both parents belonged formerly to Catholic orders, John as a priest and Monica as a nun. He has one brother, Ben, and a sister, Bridget.

AFL career

2000–2004

Murphy was drafted to the Western Bulldogs with pick 13 in the 1999 National Draft. After spending much of the 2000 season developing his slim frame, he made his debut in Round 19 against Carlton at Princes Park, gathering 13 disposals and kicking a goal in a thrilling 3-point victory.

2005–present

In 2005, under new coach Rodney Eade, Murphy cemented a place as a small Centre half forward. He kicked 33 goals from this position and his overhead marking and leading ability were invaluable to the team. As part of the leadership group he led his younger team mates by great example across the half forward line.

On 26 May 2006 Murphy injured his knee during a horrible collision in the Bulldogs' 34-point loss to Collingwood. This injury caused him to miss the remainder of the 2006 season, including what would have been his first finals series. After successful reconstruction, he returned to action in the 2007 NAB Cup series in February 2007.

Murphy was back to form resembling his best in 2010, when he posted his second top-five finish in the club best and fairest. He spent more time across half-back, where his disposal and decision-making were up to his usual high standard. In games against Essendon and Fremantle he collected a career-best 28 disposals. He missed three games mid-year with a knee injury which was again aggravated in the preliminary final, requiring post-season surgery.

Murphy recently celebrated his 200th game against Adelaide in grand style.

Other

Murphy is married to Justine, and has two children – a son, Jarvis, and a daughter, Frankie. He writes a weekly column in the sport section of The Age newspaper.

External links

• Robert Murphy (footballer)'s profile on the Official AFL Website of the Western Bulldogs Football Club
• Robert Murphy (footballer)'s statistics from AFL Tables