Blues star Marc Murphy swaps codes to play kabaddi for Australia

Carlton great Marc Murphy has revealed he’s excited to bring his footy skills to a new sport after signing on to represent Australia in the Pro Kabaddi League exhibition event in Melbourne.

Marc Murphy has signed on to represent Australia in the inaugural Pro Kabaddi League exhibition event. Picture: Michael Klein

Carlton great Marc Murphy is swapping codes having officially signed on to represent Australia in the inaugural Pro Kabaddi League exhibition event in Melbourne.

Murphy will be joined in the Australian team by Sydney Swans premiership player Dan Hannebery, three-time Hawthorn premiership player Liam Shiels, Melbourne premiership defender Michael Hibberd and former Gold Coast and Port Adelaide player Trent McKenzie.

The team will be captained by Josh Kennedy in the Pro Kabaddi League Melbourne Raid with Hawthorn premiership player Campbell Brown taking on coaching duties.

“I have never coached, but I think because I am the only Australian that knows the rules I have to make myself the coach — I am too old to be playing,” Brown said.

The Pro Kabaddi League Melbourne Raid will be held at John Cain Arena on December 28.

Training started in Melbourne on November 12 with Hannebery emerging from the first session with a black eye thanks to a Hibberd tackle.

“It’s exciting to step into something completely new and bring our footy skills to a global sport like Kabaddi. The intensity of the game is something I’m really looking forward to,” Blues champion Murphy said.

Hannebery added: “It’s an honour to represent Australia and wear the green and gold and we’re all really excited to showcase this incredible sport on home soil in Melbourne.”

The Pro Kabaddi League Melbourne Raid will be held at John Cain Arena on December 28 and will see the Australians take on a team of Indian All Stars on the same night as a clash between two Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) teams.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said: “This incredible line-up of legends joining the Pro Kabaddi League Melbourne Raid is a testament to the excitement this event is generating. It’s set to be a highlight of our blockbuster summer.

Three-time Hawthorn premiership player Liam Shiels is set to play on the Australian kabaddi team.

“Melbourne continues to lead the way as Australia’s major events capital, with unique experiences like this drawing fans from all walks of life and putting our state on the global stage.”

Speaking to Triple M’s Rush Hour, Brown said his squad of elite former footy players was taking the Melbourne Raid seriously.

Dan Hannebery will also be joining the team. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“We are going to be training twice a week, we are going to have fun but we want to showcase this sport in a positive light,” he said.

“We don’t want to be the Raygun of Australian Kabaddi.”

Kabaddi is a fast-paced, high-intensity contact sport and is the second biggest sport in India behind cricket.

It features two teams of seven battling for points by ‘raiding’ the opponent’s side of the field.

The Pro Kabaddi League launched in 2014 and has nearly 300 million viewers a year in India.