Carlton names Marc Murphy captain for 2018 season

MARC Murphy will captain Carlton for a sixth season and there are some surprising names in a new-look Blues leadership group.

MARC Murphy has been re-elected unanimously as Carlton captain.

Murphy, 30, will lead the Blues for a sixth season and will lead a new-look leadership group at Ikon Park.

Carlton has expanded its leadership group by one and replaced 2017 members Bryce Gibbs (traded to Adelaide) and Dennis Armifield (retired).

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The new faces are ruckman Matthew Kreuzer, young defender Lachie Plowman and former Docker Alex Silvagni.

Silvagni was delisted by Fremantle after playing 53 games in seven seasons and recruited by the Blues in the 2016 rookie draft. He made his debut for Carlton against Sydney in Round 6 last year, holding Lance Franklin to one goal.

He played seven matches for the year, averaging 10 disposals playing as a key defender, after being troubled by knee injuries in the second half of the season.

Marc Murphy will lead Carlton again in 2018. Picture: Michael Klein

Alex Silvagni has been promoted to the leadership group. Picture: Michael Klein

Coach Brendon Bolton said Silvagni was “uncompromising in his pursuit of driving high standards” and the promotion of Plowman, who has played 40 games in his two years at Carlton, reflects “the positive impact he has amongst the group”.

Bolton praised Murphy, who will be supported by vice-captains Sam Docherty and Patrick Cripps.

Veteran Kade Simpson has stepped down from the vice-captaincy but remains in the leadership group.

“Marc has been superb for us and it is a credit to him that he will continue in the role for a sixth season,” Bolton said.

“He lives to the club values and behaviours, and not only is he coming off the back of arguably a career-best season, he is totally invested in our players and what we’re trying to achieve as a group.

“He will continue to work closely with Sam and Patrick in their vice-captaincy roles and while it’s clear to our supporters just how talented they both are as players, both Sam and Patrick are natural and impressive young leaders who are undoubtedly ready for this next step in their careers.”

CARLTON 2018 LEADERS

Captain: Marc Murphy

Vice-captain: Sam Docherty, Patrick Cripps

Kade Simpson, Ed Curnow, Matthew Kreuzer, Lachie Plowman, Alex Silvagni