AFL 2024: Lachie Murphy opens up on promotion to Adelaide Crows leadership group

From Crowmania to Adelaide’s rookie list to the leadership group. Lachie Murphy has had to battle harder to get where he is than most AFL footballers. Now he reveals the reasons behind his promotion.

From Crowmania to Adelaide’s rookie list to its leadership group.

Lachie Murphy’s rise has been in keeping with the way he plays.

The diminutive forward has had to battle harder to get where he is than most AFL footballers.

As a junior, he got to the last cut for Victorian under-12, 15 and 16 state teams but never made the final side.

In 2016, he was overlooked at the national draft despite winning Northern Knights’ TAC Cup best-and-fairest.

In 2017, he was working in the Crows’ merchandise shop, selling guernseys and badges, while playing for the club’s SANFL side.

In 2021, he underwent spinal cord surgery, having been millimetres away from never being able to walk again because of a bulging disc in his neck.

In 2023, he was not selected for Adelaide’s season-opener against GWS.

This year, the 174cm Victorian is set to be the ninth-shortest player in the competition.

Through it all, Murphy has been one of the most maligned Crows.

And he has never felt comfortable with his spot in the team.

Lachie Murphy has had to battle harder to get where he is than most AFL footballers. Picture: Getty Images

But Murphy, 25, has stayed true to himself, as the zippy pressure forward with a bubbly personality who constantly puts his body on the line doing what the team needs.

“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m the only one who’s done it the hard way – everyone has got a unique journey through life and their own life experiences,” said Murphy, who was rookie-listed with the Crows’ last pick at the end of 2017.

“Some get drafted first in the draft, some people miss out three times.

“Everyone’s got different hardships through their career.

“I do reflect regularly on my journey and it’s something I’m very proud of.”

Murphy, a character with a tattoo of NBA player Steven Adams’ signature on his left hip flexor, did not expect to become a leader.

He planned to focus on being himself.

The Crows’ new leadership team: (L-R) Lachlan Murphy, Mitchell Hinge, Darcy Fogarty, Wayne Milera, Jordan Dawson, Brodie Smith, Reilly O’Brien, and Ben Keays. Picture: Dean Martin

Noting that leadership groups were often made up of the best players, Murphy felt he could contribute something different – the value in just playing your role”.

“It’s a powerful message for younger players that aspire to be a leader or play in the team,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work that goes in Monday to Friday that isn’t seen on a game day and I believe that the work I put in during the week has resulted in me getting voted in.”

Murphy, who is due to play his 100th game in round 2, is coming off his career-best season.

He played every game for the first time and finished sixth in the club champion award.

That did not mean Murphy now felt assured of his spot in the team.

“I never like to use the word ‘comfortable’ but it reiterates to me that I belong at the level at this footy club, a footy club that I love,” he said.

Murphy is one of four new Crows leaders, along with defenders Wayne Milera and Mitch Hinge, and forward Darcy Fogarty.

They join skipper Jordan Dawson and vice-captains Brodie Smith, Reilly O’Brien and Ben Keays in the group.

Like Murphy, Milera was surprised at his own selection.

Milera believed his ability to be himself and care for the group were key reasons behind his promotion.

FROM MALIGNED CROWS TO LEADERS: FOGARTY, MURPHY RISE AGAIN

—Simeon Thomas-Wilson

The rise of once-maligned Crows Darcy Fogarty and Lachie Murphy has continued with the duo officially named as leaders.

Jordan Dawson will again captain Adelaide in 2024, and heads an expanded leadership group which includes four new players.

Dawson was crowned as the club’s best and fairest and was named as an All-Australian in a stellar debut season as a skipper in 2023.

Unsurprisingly he has been named as captain again, in a leadership group that has three vice captains in Brodie Smith, Ben Keays and Reilly O’Brien.

Fogarty, Murphy, Wayne Milera and Mitch Hinge have all been included in the group, which lost Tom Doedee after his move to Brisbane, for the first time.

Adelaide senior coach Matthew Nicks said it gave the group a combination of diversity and passion.

Darcy Fogarty has joined Ben Keays in Adelaide’s leadership group. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

“We’re fortunate to have stability in our core leaders, led of course by Jordan Dawson who was outstanding in his first season as skipper,” Nicks said.

“And our strong culture has enabled others to develop and they have done so in a significant way in recent years.

“The four new players to the group – Darcy Fogarty, Mitch Hinge, Wayne Milera and Lachie Murphy – have been standouts and bring their own skill sets and experiences to the group. We embrace that diversity in experience and thought which makes us stronger as a team.

“They’ve all had different journeys to AFL football and our club, and know what it’s like to overcome challenges which will hold us in good stead.”

Lachie Murphy has also been elevated. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos

Murphy started in the club’s Crowmania shop, before winning a spot on the Crows list.

He said it was an honour to be voted into the leadership group.

“I pride myself on being able to play my role for the team and being part of the leadership group shows that we celebrate guys who do that, and you don’t need to be the biggest and best player on the list to lead or help others, so it means a lot to have that responsibility,” he said.

Milera, 26, said it was part of the evolution of his career.

“Going into my ninth season, I feel like this is the next step for me and I’m passionate about helping my teammates and ultimately the team get the success we want,” he said.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Lachie Murphy opens up on promotion to Adelaide Crows leadership group