VSDCA: Liam Murphy appointed Brunswick’s new captain-coach

BRUNSWICK has turned to a Sub-District Cricket premiership captain-coach in its quest to end a three-decade wait for First XI success.

Liam Murphy has been appointed as Brunswick’s new captain-coach. Picture: Mal Fairclough.

BRUNSWICK has turned to a Sub-District Cricket premiership captain-coach in its quest to end a three-decade wait for First XI success.

The Wicks have appointed Liam Murphy, who steered Balwyn to its second flag in 68 years in 2016-17, as captain-coach to replace outgoing skipper David McKay and coach Karl Mayne.

Murphy made the move from Balwyn to Brunswick in 2017-18, compiling 354 runs at 29.5 as the Wicks finished third on the North-West group ladder before bowing out in the first week of finals against Kew.

“They are a well-run club who have come on in leaps and bounds in the last couple of years with the work of Dave and Karl,” he said.

“It’s a really strong position from an on-field perspective as well as what they do off it, so it’s really exciting to be a part of it.”

The 34-year-old said he was keen to promote from within, citing the success of batsmen Ben Moss and Charles Aitken as examples of the club’s depth.

Moss topscored with 90 in the Wicks’ finals defeat to Kew, while Aitken made 263 runs for the campaign after starting with knocks of 55, 121 and 70 to underline his talent.

“We were only a Fourth XI game away from winning a club championship and our twos went through the majority of the season undefeated,” Murphy said.

“You have got a lot of kids between 18-22 in that Second XI who could take the steps to become consistent first-grade players.”

Mayne has been in charge of the club’s men’s team for the past four seasons and will continue to lead Carlton-Brunswick in Women’s Premier Cricket.

McKay will hand the reins over after eight years as captain at A.G Gillon Oval.

The pair will continue as players under Murphy’s leadership.

“I think it’s a really fortunate position for myself to be in,” Murphy said.

“You have 12 months with the group and you can get to know what you’ve got from a playing perspective.”

Brunswick’s last First XI premiership was achieved in 1987-88 and Murphy senses the group he will lead next summer is capable of ending that drought.

“It’s not like we need to do a hell of a lot from a list management perspective,” he said.