Carlton skipper Marc Murphy in career-best form after wretched injury run

CARLTON’S Marc Murphy has copped more than his share of injuries — and criticism — in recent seasons. But the Blues leader is now in the form of his life.

AFL Carlton vs. Essendon (MCG) Marc Murphy Picture:Wayne Ludbey

IF MARC Murphy hasn’t emerged from the football wilderness, he’s returned from a very thick scrub.

Murphy was the AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year in 2011. That year he won the Carlton best and fairest and was All-Australian for good measure.

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At 24, the football world was at his feet. But instead of staying there, it was pulled out from underneath him as injuries and the burden of leadership combined to dull his talents.

There was the shoulder reconstruction in 2012, broken cheekbone in 2013 and another shoulder reco in 2015 that came with a freak bicep infection that stopped him lifting weights for an entire pre-season.

Last season ended in Round 10 with an ankle operation, while there has been knee surgery after the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Marc Murphy has copped some punishment in the last few seasons. Picture: George Salpigtidis

For each injury there was another half a dozen critics for the former No.1 draft pick with the ultimate hard act to follow — replacing Chris Judd as Blues skipper in 2013.

But operation-free for the first time in six years and benefiting from what coach Brendan Bolton said was the best preparation of any player at Carlton, Murphy is back.

In fact, at 29, he is the form of his life.

Three rounds into 2017, Murphy is averaging career-high numbers in ranking points (142), disposals (32.7 per game), metres-gained (519) and clearances (6.3).

Murphy racks up another touch against Essendon last week. Picture: Michael Klein

Former Carlton coach Mick Malthouse, who was often forced to defend Murphy throughout his three years in charge, was always confident the midfielder would get back to his best.

“He’s been quite brilliant,” Malthouse said.

“He is the sort of kid where with his injuries, even when Luke Hodge got him on his cheekbone, the way he handled that was fantastic.

“We were concerned for him being a ball player and they (Hawthorn) wanted to assert their power over us and he just said: ‘No, that’s part of the game’ and I thought: ‘what a great approach’.

Mick Malthouse says Murphy can now concentrate on leading the side. Picture: Getty Images

“When you’ve got that approach I don’t think it weighs you down. For him to have a good pre-season and so far produce what he has proves all that you hear about pre-seasons.

“If you have a good one you can focus in on touch, skill, confidence and the things that matter most.

“Because he’s had a good run at pre-season he’s got the confidence now to be what we as a football club thought back in 2013, and that was to lead the football side.”

Originally published as Carlton skipper Marc Murphy in career-best form after wretched injury run