Western Bulldogs fear Robert Murphy has ruptured ACL
UPDATE: WESTERN Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy has spoken for the first time as the club confirms he has ruptured his ACL.
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WESTERN Bulldogs’ coach Luke Beveridge says he would like to see 33-year-old skipper Bob Murphy play on for up to three more years.
The club confirmed on Monday the 2015 All-Australian captain had ruptured the ACL in his left knee and also sustained damage to his medial ligament.
Murphy wrenched his knee in the final minutes of Sunday’s three-point loss to Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium and visited a surgeon in Prahran on Monday morning.
“Bob’s scans have just come in and they do confirm that he has ruptured his ACL and he has some medial ligament damage as well,” Football Manager Graham Lowe told the club website.
“We’re going to give Bob the next few days to consider his position, and (his) plans for moving forward.
“The club will support him in any way we can to make sure we support him in making the right decision for him and his family.”
The only way Murphy could possibly return this season would be with a LARS operation, but the Bulldogs have never opted for the revolutionary surgery.
Murphy told media it was too early to make a call on his future, but Beveridge believes his captain has a lot of footy left in him.
So many kind people out there... You've all brightened up a gloomy day. Thank you.
— Bob Murphy (@BobMurphy02) April 11, 2016
Too many sad songs on the radio today!
X
“In recent times Bob and I have been talking about his future, and he’s been really keen to keep playing beyond this year,” Beveridge said.
“I’ve been really keen for him to keep playing for another couple of years and maybe even three.
“I’m hopeful that once it all settles and if it does confirm the worst after lunch time, that Bob’s still got a bright future as a player and as the captain of our footy club.”
Beveridge said it would be up to Murphy to decide on whether to have LARS surgery and possibly fast track his return.
“That’s completely Bob’s decision. We’ll get all the expert advice for him to make the best decision for him,” Beveridge said.
Murphy could still reach his 300-game milestone if he plays on in search of a fairytale premiership next season.
Murphy, 34 in June, is out of contract but his blistering form as a halfback could keep him in line for a fresh deal, despite his knee injury.
“We need to give Bob and his family time to process all this, before the injury he was looking to play on.”
CAN THE DOGS WIN IT WITHOUT BOB? LISTEN TO THE LATEST SUPERFOOTY PODCAST BELOW:
While Murphy shapes as a key loss, Sunday’s epic battle franked the Dogs’ premiership credentials.
Luke Beveridge’s men fought back from 32 points down as they blew the premiers away by kicking 10 goals to two leading up to the final change.
Murphy’s knee tangled with Luke Breust in a marking contest won by forward James Sicily, who slotted the matchwinner to end the Dogs’ run of 11-straight victories at Etihad Stadium.
Beveridge backed Murphy to bounce back, while teammate Dale Morris declared: “He’s the spiritual leader. He’s the actual leader.”
All-Australian and best-and-fairest winner Easton Wood — a late withdrawal with hamstring tightness — could take the leadership mantle.
Wood was named vice-captain in his first season in the leadership group.
Beveridge said the playing group would be hurting, while Murphy’s veteran teammates paid tribute to one of footy’s favourite sons.
“He’s everything to us,” Matthew Boyd said.
Morris said: “You never like to see any of your teammates get carried off like that.
“We’ve just got to hope for the best and support him. I know this footy club will do so.”
Murphy is now the third Dog sidelined with an ACL, alongside Clay Smith and Roarke Smith.
An ACL prematurely ended Chris Judd’s career last year, whileDane Swan is unlikely to return from his horrific foot injury sustained in Round 1.
Murphy is just five games shy of 300 and he was set to become the sixth Dog to reach the milestone next month. It would have equalled Hawthorn’s record.
Sunday’s blow was to the same left knee he had reconstructed after it became mangled in an Anthony Rocca tackle in 2006.
The superstar enjoyed a career-best season in his debut as skipper last year, was named All-Australian captain and placed second in the Dogs’ best-and-fairest.
He collected 31 and 28 disposals in the first two wins.
Beveridge confirmed that the Dogs feared the worst.
“As you’d expect, it’s quite shattering,” Beveridge said.
“We know what sort of person he is and what sort of character he is. He’ll bounce back.
“We all will be (hurting). It’s my job to pick them up early.
“We’ve already had that chat at the end of the game. We’re definitely glass half-full.
“Today is just one of the 22 rounds and we’ve just got to look forward to next week.
“We’ll process the emotional side of Bob’s injury and by the end of the week we’ll be ready for the Blues.”
— Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) April 10, 2016
Great win by the boys but, a bit of a dull feeling after hearing the news of bob doing his ACL. #flattening.
— Luke Hodge (@LHodge15) 10 April 2016
LB: We think it's bad news with Bob. It's shattering but we know what sort of character he is.
— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) April 10, 2016
Hoping the best for @BobMurphy02!! Love watching him play
— Sam Jacobs (@samjacobs24) April 10, 2016
ðŸ™ðŸ¼ @BobMurphy02
— Nathan Jones (@nathan2jones) April 10, 2016
Please no. #bob
— David Astbury (@dastbury12) April 10, 2016
Our fingers are crossed for @BobMurphy02.
— Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) April 10, 2016
Quality player. Quality person.
Shattered about Bob Murphy. Best day of football I can remember, turned to worst moment of the AFL season in a second. No justice.
— Craig Hutchison (@craighutchy) April 10, 2016
Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson coached Murphy in last summer’s International Rules series and said the footy world respected his leadership.
“He’s a real decorated servant of the game, and if it is a serious injury, we just hope he can come back from it quickly,” Clarkson said.
“Nobody likes to see injuries in the game, especially to high-quality people and high-quality players like that.”
List manager Jason McCartney told the Herald Sun last week while the Dogs veterans were in form, they remained in line for contract extensions.
“They’re going well, so that’s something we’ll monitor and address,” McCartney said.
“While they’re fit and healthy and playing well, they’re obviously give themselves every chance.”
sam.landsberger@news.com.au
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