Bob Murphy says Luke Dahlhaus among Bulldogs premiership stars who ‘took their eye off ball’

FORMER Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy says Luke Dahlhaus hasn’t been the same player since the 2016 flag because he was unable to refocus after the drought-breaking celebrations.

Bob Murphy celebrates with Luke Dahlhaus. Pic: Getty Images

FORMER Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy says Luke Dahlhaus hasn’t been the same player since the 2016 flag because he was unable to refocus after the drought-breaking celebrations.

Murphy, who said Dahlhaus’ decision to leave the Dogs under free agency “hurts”, believed the buzzing midfielder-forward was among a small group who struggled to move on.

“Maybe the hunger came off a little bit after the premiership so if he thinks a change will spark that again, then good luck to him,” Murphy said.

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“I think a few of them in 2017 took their eye off the ball and I think Luke will put his hand up to say that maybe he wasn’t as dedicated or as hungry as he’d been in the years before.

Luke Dahlhaus in action against Geelong this year. Pic: Michael Klein

Dahlhaus with the premiership cup at Whitten Oval the day after the Bulldogs broke their drought. Pic: AAP

“That was his thing. He missed on the draft because he wasn’t the most talented, but he was a ball of hunger and selflessness. He still does play like that, but the last two years it’s been shaded a little bit and not what it was.”

Dahlhaus, 26, is expected to join Geelong on a four-year deal worth about $500,000 a season. The Dogs were only prepared to offer a three-year contract and neither party was willing to budge.

The Bulldogs on Wednesday morning confirmed they expected an end of first round compensation pick for losing Dahlhaus, based on the Cats last year getting pick 19 Steven Motlop’s move to Port Adelaide on a very similar contract while he was also 26.

“When I think of it, the thought of him playing in another jumper hurts me a little bit,” Murphy said on SEN.

Bob Murphy with Dahlhaus in the final days of the former skipper’s career. Pic: AAP

“On one sense, it’s hard to believe after where he was and the club was two years ago to now, it’s gone separate ways.

“Because it’s sort of been on the cards all this year and seems to be really contract based, I’m not shocked because we have been conditioned for it.

“The club offered Luke a three-year deal. Now, I would have thought Luke is a three-year deal player.

“I think it’s an unfortunate thing that if you can get a longer term deal (you leave). I don’t like it because you know how I am, I’d love players to stay at one club, especially those heart and soul players. But he’s made the call.”