Carlton would only receive a second or third-round draft pick if Marc Murphy left as a free agent

ONE of the AFL’s all-time greats has encouraged Marc Murphy to leave the Blues if he wants to win a premiership. But how much would Carlton get back for the free agent?

Could Marc Murphy look to leave Carlton at the end of the season? Picture: AAP Images

CARLTON would receive only a second or third-round draft pick as compensation if captain Marc Murphy made the decision to leave the Blues at season’s end.

Murphy is an unrestricted free agent and is certain to field offers from rival clubs targeting the classy midfielder if he puts off contract talks until later in the year.

Murphy, 30, is battling a plantar fascia injury and is likely to wait to discuss his contract until after he makes his return from the serious foot problem in the next few weeks.

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It will give the superstar skipper time to regain fitness and make a further assessment on the team’s form after the Blues sank to 0-7 for the first time in Carlton’s 121-year history on Saturday night.

But whereas Carlton received picks No. 10 and No. 16 in a complicated pick swap for Bryce Gibbs last year, the free agency compensation system means the Blues will receive only one second or third round pick depending on Murphy’s salary at his new club, if he left.

Marc Murphy is a free agent at the end of the season. Picture: AAP Images

The Kangaroos received a second-round pick for the loss of Daniel Wells, age 31, two years ago, while Carlton gained nothing for the loss of Jarrad Waite because of his age and modest salary.

But Carlton could also make Murphy a financial offer the two-time best-and-fairest could not refuse to stay at Ikon Park for the remainder of his career.

The 239-gamer is believed to be one of the top-two highest-paid players at Carlton, but he would receive only $450,000 a year plus bonuses at a new club, for example, such as Hawthorn or Geelong.

It would mean Murphy would have to take a significant pay cut to chase a premiership elsewhere.

North Melbourne great Brent Harvey said Murphy should consider departing lowly Carlton if he wants to win a flag.

The Blues tackle rival Essendon at the MCG on Saturday.

“Does he want to be a premiership player? If that answer is yes he should leave,” Harvey said on radio RSN.

Essendon coaching legend Kevin Sheedy said Murphy would have options if he wanted to consider switching clubs.

“If I was Murphy I would be looking for one (new club) who could win a premiership,” Sheedy said.

“I have done my years, is there one (new club in premiership contention) there?

“He has been a terrific young player (for Carlton).”