Beveridge hails Murphy's full AFL career
Aug 15, 2017 - 5:15 PM Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge notes Bob Murphy is in fine company if he retires without an AFL premiership.Beveridge noted at Murphy's retirement announcement on Tuesday that St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt is also bowing out without a flag.
"He's one of the greatest ever to play the game, is Nick - and so's Bob," Beveridge said.
"It's just a fact, that he missed out on the (premiership) 22, but I think in the very near future that he'll get past that pretty quick.
"He's done too many other things for that to get in the way of his satisfaction."
Sitting alongside Murphy at the media conference, Beveridge made the comments amid plenty of questions about last year's premiership.
Murphy said if he goes out without a flag, which looks likely, it would leave a hole in his heart.
But Beveridge hopes people are not too caught up in Murphy famously not playing in the drought-breaking premiership.
While Murphy missed most of the season because of a knee reconstruction, he played a crucial off-field role and Beveridge famously presented Murphy with his premiership medallion.
"For me, he was like the 23rd player anyway," Beveridge said.
The Bulldogs' premiership defence still has a pulse, but that is weakening and Murphy will need an even bigger miracle than last year if his swan song is to be a grand final win.
They are ninth with big games against Port Adelaide and Hawthorn left.
Friday night's loss to GWS means the Bulldogs now need other results to also fall their way if they are to make the top eight.
The last premiership defence to end outside the finals was Hawthorn in 2009.
The Bulldogs host Port Adelaide on Saturday in Ballarat's redeveloped Eureka Stadium - the first time the ground has been used in the home and away season.
"It's a chance to make this stadium a little place where it's hard for opposition teams to come and play us," Beveridge said.
"We're looking to make the most of that on Saturday."
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Another big AFL profit for Bulldogs Dec 5
- McCartney leaves Bulldogs for GWS in AFL Nov 28
- Wood handed Bulldogs AFL captaincy again Nov 19
- Dogs disappointed with Good Friday snub Oct 30
- Travis Cloke calls time on AFL career Oct 25
- Bulldogs poach new CEO from Saints in AFL Oct 22
- Bulldogs talk tough on Stringer AFL deal Oct 5
- Murphy critical of Stringer's work ethic Sep 19
- No blame game for Stringer on AFL exit Sep 18
- Beveridge confirms AFL move for Stringer Sep 13
- Stringer to weigh up AFL future with 'Dogs Sep 6
- AFL Bulldogs re-sign Morris, Redpath, Webb Sep 2