Bulldogs AFL star Bob Murphy calls time

Aug 15, 2017 - 10:11 AM Time is running out for Bob Murphy in the AFL as he tries to fix the hole in his heart.

While the 35-year-old will end his playing career as one of the Western Bulldogs' all-time greats, he says not being part of last year's historic premiership team still hurts.

Murphy missed most of last season with a knee reconstruction, but his off-field leadership made him the Bulldogs' 23rd man as they ended their 62-year premiership drought.

In a now-iconic moment, coach Luke Beveridge called him onto the dais and put his premiership medallion around a tearful Murphy's neck.

The Bulldogs are ninth with two rounds left and while Murphy remains bullish about what might be possible, they now need other results to also go their way if they are to make the finals.

On Tuesday, Murphy confirmed he will retire at the end of the season.

"If I'm not a premiership player, there will be a sense of emptiness there," Murphy said.

"I gave it everything I had and I still have enormous pride in last year's premiership.

"But yeah, to not be one of the 22, there's a bit of a hole in my heart there, for sure."

Regardless of how Murphy's career ends, Beveridge said the flanker deserved to be in the pantheon of Bulldogs legends - Ted Whitten Snr, Charlie Sutton, Doug Hawkins and Chris Grant.

"The premiership was built off momentum and people forget what he did in 2015 - an All-Australian captain," Beveridge said.

"As much as he didn't take the field as part of the 22, we wouldn't have gotten there if it hadn't been for him."

Murphy said he nearly retired three times last year as he recovered from his knee injury.

"It's a pretty good rule to live by - if your wife (Justine) and your coach say you should play on, that's probably not a bad place to start," he said.

The media conference was classic Murphy, one of the game's most likeable and intriguing characters.

His long list of thank you's included rock stars Tim Rogers, Tex Perkins and Paul Kelly for their spiritual sustenance - and the famous beard of former teammate Ben Hudson.

Justine and their children Jarvis, Frankie, Delilah, plus Murphy's sister Bridget, looked on as Murphy spoke.

"I will thank you the only way a father and a husband knows how and that's with a Winnebago trip up the coast of Australia at the end of this year," he said.

Murphy admitted the widespread adulation he receives does not sit comfortably, noting the detractors who think he's a knob, but Beveridge said the acknowledgement is necessary.

"At times we get a bit mushy and even a bit over the top with all that stuff, maybe in regards to Bob," he said.

"But it's because we feel that deeply about him."

Murphy joins a stellar list of retirees that includes teammate Matthew Boyd and all-time greats such as Luke Hodge and Nick Riewoldt.

BOB MURPHY'S AFL CAREER

AGE: 35

GAMES: 310

DRAFT: Pick 13, 1999 national draft

DEBUT: 2000, round 19 (vs Carlton)

GOALS: 182

HONOURS: All Australian (2011, 2015), All Australian captain (2015), club captaincy (2015-17)

Source: AAP