Pies defenders Jeremy Howe and Nathan Murphy talk premiership glory

Jeremy Howe and Nathan Murphy are now both premiership Pies, however it could have gone so different for both as they talked their unique journeys to football’s pinnacle.

Jeremy Howe and Nathan Murphy

Collingwood’s star defender Jeremy Howe has revealed he was on the brink of retirement after his horrific broken arm before his fear of missing a maiden premiership brought him back to the game.

Howe broke his arm in six places after a disastrous mid-air collision with opponent Tyson Stengle in the first half of round 1.

He would ultimately return by round 15, with his miraculous recovery delivering him a premiership after 13 AFL seasons.

But as he told this masthead in the rooms post-match, behind the scenes he contemplated whether he could make it back to AFL level.

“It is hard to try to wrap your head around,” Howe said of the premiership.

Howe’s season seemed done after the first round. Picture: Getty Images

“You have such a strong summer. First game I got through three quarters. I genuinely believed it was over for me. You have some pretty negative thoughts. I just broke my arm in about six different places and I am 33. I thought maybe it’s not for me. I don’t need to be like this.

“I had a few weeks where I contemplated retiring and thought, “Do I want to go through this again? And then I had an amazing six weeks post that. My wife Kahlia gave me a bit of a kick up the arse to stop me moping and then FOMO was the one thing.

“I didn’t think I could miss out on what we were doing. People talk about capitalising on amazing groups and success follows people. ‘Fly’ (Craig McRae), ‘Bolts’ (Brendon Bolton), ‘Lepper’ (Justin Leppitsch). They prepare us as well as I have ever seen.”

As he celebrated with family including his cousin and cricket star Matthew Wade post-match, he said it was sinking in that he had finally realised his AFL dream.

“I had the conversation with ‘Pendles’ (Scott Pendlebury) after the game. He said it took me 13 years to get back to this exact moment and I am just so happy you guys get to share one. You never know when your next one is coming,” he said.

Jeremy Howe celebrates with coach Craig McRae. Picture: David Caird

“And fortunately enough I am so proud Sidey and Pendles have got two because of the way they have led the club for the last decade. It’s a pretty big weight to hold and we just jump on their back and go on the ride.”

“At half time we came in and had a little lead but our GPS numbers don’t lie. That is our work rate. We are number one in the comp for finishing games and I shouldn’t say it but (Brisbane) were 17th. So we knew we had the tank, we knew we would run it out.

“Conditions did come into play. I was gassed. I was genuinely gassed and a lot of blokes said the same, so to maintain and hold up, it was unbelievable.”

Howe revealed on Saturday night he had played out the Grand Final with three broken ribs in another remarkable development in his turbulent season.

He was cleaned up by Charlie Cameron in a fair but lethal hit and while he was in the hands of the trainers for some time he played out the game.

With Nathan Murphy out with concussion he had no other option except to play out the contest, even if those ribs will take weeks to heal as the Pies celebrate their first premiership since 2010.

THE MOMENT PIES DEFENDER SELFLESSLY SAID THAT’S ENOUGH

Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy has revealed he made the selfless call to rule himself out of the Grand Final when his vision was so blurred he could not see Craig McRae at the quarter-time address.

Murphy was subbed out of the game with blurred vision but the Pies back six still found a way to repel Brisbane’s advances as sub Pat Lipinski replaced him as a solid Grand Final contributor.

The Pies defender has a long history of concussions that at one stage jeopardised his AFL career and had a HIA test after colliding with Lincoln McCarthy’s shoulder.

Murphy was subbed out with a concussion. Picture: Getty Images

He appeared to have passed that test when he ran up to the huddle, but told this masthead post-match he knew he was in trouble.

“I ran up to the huddle and I was ready to play on and then ‘Fly’ was talking and I couldn’t really see him. When that happened I said that’s probably enough for me,” Murphy said.

“After the head knock I passed the test but came out with blurry vision so I ruled myself out. I didn’t think I was up to it. With my history I get delayed symptoms.

“I thought it was the best thing and right now it paid off because I have got a premiership.

“I had full confidence in ‘Lippa’ and so much confidence in our backline to do the job. I had a hard time watching on the bench but it was worth it.”

Those concussions meant his AFL career was in doubt so the 23-year-old could not believe he had realised his AFL dream. Mur

“It is so hard to describe. I grew up dreaming of this and it’s actually happened now,” he said.

“Two years ago it looked like I was out of here. I had boys coming up to me today saying, “ How the hell are you a premiership player?” And I totally agree.

“So it’s amazing. So many emotions and I just love seeing everyone’s family in here celebrating with them.”

Originally published as Pies defenders Jeremy Howe and Nathan Murphy talk premiership glory