Murphy readies Bulldogs for AFL journey

Mar 16, 2017 - 4:33 PM On Thursday, Bob Murphy returned to the MCG for the first time since the Western Bulldogs' dazzling AFL premiership success.

Next Friday, he'll return to the ground with his teammates to kick off their premiership defence.

"The last time I was here was a pretty magical day," Murphy said.

"It's hard not to be on the MCG and be excited about what lies ahead.

"There's obviously a time when I wasn't sure when I would get out there. I'm on bonus time. I know that.

"But I'm not crying today. I'm managing to keep the emotions in check."

It might be a different story when the Bulldogs face the Magpies in round one, given Murphy's arduous road to recovery.

An ACL rupture in a round three loss to Hawthorn looked a career-ender for then then 33-year-old.

No one outside of Whitten Oval thought at the time it could cost him the chance to play in an AFL grand final.

After dwelling on a decision about whether to play on, the 295-gamer decided to pull on the boots in the hope of returning to the grandest stage in football.

His peers don't think he'll get there.

Just one rival AFL captain named the Bulldogs as the side they think is most likely to play in a grand final this year.

Playing in the grand final is one thing just making a Bulldogs side laden with talent is another and with the return of Murphy and the addition of former Magpies spearhead Travis Cloke, spots in the team are at a premium.

"It's a pretty hard team to get a spot in," Murphy said.

"The guys who are going to miss out will be pretty dirty. We were a pretty handy side last year so there's a lot of pressure on.

"We're trying to get better and we think we'll improve again. That's the test. That's what gets us out of bed every morning."

With young stars like Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen and club best and fairest winner Marcus Bontempelli continuing to improve, hopes at the Whitten Oval are high, but Murphy knows he needs to keep inspiring his teammates.

"As much as we all think we know what's going to happen and how prepared we are, no one knows," he said.

"That's the exciting bit. What I keep bringing to back to the group all the time is 'how good could we be?'.

"That's what excites me.

"That's how you feel moments before you run out to play. You're on the precipice. That is what puts air in my tyres.

"And that's the feeling on the eve of the season. You're standing on the edge of that cliff and you've got to jump."

Source: AAP