Carlton coach Brendon Bolton throws his support behind skipper Marc Murphy

CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton has leapt to the defence of captain Marc Murphy and his leadership group, as the Blues hierarchy implore fans to get excited about the club’s future stars.

Carlton’s youngsters such as Lochie O’Brien have been a positive this season. Picture: Michael Klein

CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton has leapt to the defence of captain Marc Murphy and his leadership group, saying he doesn’t “need to justify” how much the skipper offers the group.

In response to former Blues coach Mick Malthouse Sunday Herald Sun column, Bolton said Murphy had offered plenty this year.

“I’ve been really clear every week with what Murph’s been offering, particularly off-field this year because he had to do it off field given so many injuries,” Bolton said.

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“You’ve only got to ask the Paddy Dow’s and they’ll explain that clearly.

“(He’s) had inconsistency with injury unfortunately, Murph. Right now he’s our captain. He’ll be our captain for the rest of the year.”

Murphy, who turned 31 on Thursday, signed a contract extension earlier this month until 2020, meaning he will see out his playing days in the navy blue.

Blues coach Brendon Bolton says Marc Murphy has plenty to offer as captain. Picture: Michael Klein

Meanwhile, Carlton’s hierarchy has implored fans to zero on in its future stars during matches as a way of taking positives out of what has been a gloomy season.

Blues president Mark LoGiudice said during the week that he has been going to games and closely watching just a few young players, which leaves him content about the future ahead.

“I go to the footy and pick three or four footballers every week and I watch them and I follow them on the field and I think that’s the best way to look at what the future of the Carlton Football Club is going to be,” LoGiudice said on SEN radio.

“We’ve got this void of players between age 22 and 27 and we’ve been decimated by injury this year.

“On top of that, the inconsistencies in the team, having four to five players different in the team each week has made it difficult, but I can only see upside from here.”

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal the four players LoGiudice has been closely following are Zac Fisher, Charlie Curnow, Paddy Dow and Lochie O’Brien.

Paddy Dow is one of many youngsters that Blues fans should be excited about. Picture: Michael Klein

Coach Brendon Bolton was also happy to nominate four players to watch closely against Hawthorn on Sunday.

Bolton also nominated O’Brien and Dow while giving two new options in defender Caleb Marchbank and forward Harry McKay.

Bolton said the Blues, who have still won just one game this season, had taken plenty from watching fellow bottom-four side Brisbane pull apart Hawthorn last week and were ready for a fight at the MCG today.

“(They’re) very well coached, got a great system and I think they work particularly well defensively as a unit so it’s really important we use the ball intelligently against Hawks because they defend as a group together and when they do that they can hurt you on turnover,” he said.

“But we’re really looking forward to the challenge.”

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Originally published as Carlton coach Brendon Bolton throws his support behind skipper Marc Murphy